Before I even begin, let’s just get something out there right now – For this party I cooked enough food to feed a small country. I cooked for a solid 2 days straight (no lie) and spent $416.61 at the grocery store. It’s been just me and an infant for the last few months so this is insane to me. I told my mom – I now understand why family birthday parties started to become a drag – because they are freaking expensive dude! And kids doesn’t even realize this, they just want gifts – kid this is your gift, I’m broke now!!

I made 8 appetizers and I thought “Oh this will be so wonderful!”. No the word I was actually looking for is stressful. Stressful is the word.

Luckily I enjoy the madness (who the hell knows why), especially when my parents were able to watch the birthday boy.

This is a spread of what I made…

Because there are too many things to list all the steps I’ll just add the links. Mainly, because I have no more time or energy to relive all these steps.

Fruit Skewers. https://oleana.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/a-colorful-snack/

Mini Macaroni and Cheese Bites. http://www.oldhousetonewhome.net/2015/03/mini-macaroni-and-cheese-bites-a-basketball-party.html

Grilled Corn Guacamole. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/grilled-corn-guacamole/

Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Reduction. http://www.teacheatlove.com/2015/04/the-babys-first-birthday-recipe-round-up-and-fruit-wands.html

Teriyaki Meatballs. http://www.teacheatlove.com/2015/08/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-teriyaki-meatballs.html

Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/spicy-lemon-garlic-shrimp/

Windy City Dip. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/windy-city-deli-dip.html

Veggies and Dip. http://www.stonegableblog.com/the-dip/

So, a lot more happened than just the food. Even though I just posted about 87 pictures of food.

Me and my kid. Yes we actually exist. See, I don’t just post pictures of food…even though there is still food in this picture.

Then you have this picture where Coop thought it was more fun to slam cake into my Granddad (Coop’s Great Granddads) face.

To sum it all up – the party was a success, the food was a success and I still have leftovers to live off for a week so I’m not as broke as I thought. Winning all around.