Wait, Mindy Weiss on ILYMTC? Even Better, it's Jennifer Green!

Happy Thursday, Loyals! I've saved a little something special for this week's final guest poster. Today you'll hear from the beautiful Jennifer from Growing With the Greens! Thannks so much, J, for rounding out this week's little foray in guest posts! 

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First, a huge thanks to AP for letting me guest post on her blog. I'm a fairly recent reader but I've fallen in love with her blog and her witty posts. I thought in keeping true to the birthday theme I'd talk about a special first birthday that took place a few months ago and the craziness that led up to it... 

I'm not a event planner by profession, actually my degree is in elementary education. Therefore, I'm not sure what force prompted this Mindy Weiss persona. Certainly I'm no Mindy Weiss but perhaps I thought I was, just a little. I was seriously in full fledged party planning mode for months leading up to the big day. Every Target trip became just a little more thrilling as I would scour the aisles looking for the perfect color coordinating party accessories.  I tediously searched the interwebs for ideas and the best prices on bulk candy. And we want even talk about my frequent visits to Hobby Lobby. 

The crazy part? It didn't seem crazy at all. I mean doesn't everyone stay up until 3:00 o'clock in the morning making cupcake toppers? Don't we all fill our yards with enormous lollipops? Or spend hours mastering the tissue paper pom?  I remember right  before the party started I looked around and it hit me, I thought perhaps I had gone overboard for this birthday party. Had I? 

The next few hours were a blur of messy cake smashing, children playing and present opening. We were celebrating. And when I think back on the planning and all the craziness that went into that party, I don't regret it at all. Not even a little bit. Instead I'm glad we had such a big party, I'm glad I stressed about making it perfect and I'm glad we celebrated our girl in such a big way. 

Why? Because what a huge thing we had to celebrate wrapped up in such a petite little package we like to call Braylen. Along with her, we were also celebrating everything that first year brought us. From a scary hospital stay to watching in amazement as she rolled over. From messy first bites to first words that melted our hearts. It was a first year full of life changing moments. It was a first year full of joy and we wouldn't have celebrated any other way. 

Oh, and you better believe I'm already brainstorming ideas for party numero dos. Just call me Mindy.