Children's birthday parties are wonderful, but can quickly become complicated. From the food to games, to gifts and a timeline based on nap schedules and snack times—it's a lot. Jenna shared with us how she planned her son's birthday simply.

For any parent, your child’s first birthday is an exciting milestone. We wanted to celebrate in a simple and meaningful way.

First of all, we knew we needed to be outside. Nature has been our friend this year as we learned early on that our new baby was calmed by being outside. We spent many sleepless nights looking at the stars, took countless afternoon walks, stared through the windows at the rain, and made weekend hikes a family tradition. So, despite the Georgia summer heat, we took our family outside to celebrate.

Music is a part of our family and has been a special bond between father and son, as we’ve used the lull of the guitar this past year to soothe the fussy baby or to just simply pass the time. Several of our family members are placing bets on which instrument our little Mozart will choose one day!

A Simple First Birthday featuring a Baby-friendly Sweet Potato and Banana Donut Recipe

Editor's Note: Featured Atlanta photographer Sawyer Baird is not only talented and kind, but she was one of our first contributors! See her work in The Captivated Issue!

Sweet Potato & Banana Donut Recipe

We also love eating delicious, creative, healthy foods and so it was important to us for the birthday “cake” to follow suite. I made sweet potato and banana donuts with a splash of almond butter, and it was so fun to place one in those chunky hands and watch him go to town.

I found a recipe via Pinterest from the Taylor Made blog (who adapted the original recipe from The Lean Green Bean) and made it my own!

Ingredients

1 cup cooked sweet potato, peeled and mashed

2 bananas

1/2 cup almond butter

3 eggs

cinnamon to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

Mash sweet potato and bananas together in a small bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk together until smooth

Pour batter into greased mini donut pan

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until firm

Drizzle with almond butter or topping of choice

This felt like a celebration not only for our sweet boy’s first year of life, but also for all of the family and friends who have loved and supported us this past year. It's the most challenging, character-building experience, but it leaves you feeling fuller and loving more deeply than you ever knew possible. Now we feel like we can do anything—on to year two!

Full Story Credits: Photography by Sawyer Baird Hair & Make Up by Some Claudia Girl Centerpiece by Tailor & Table Styling by Martel Event

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