Planning the birthday party

So the big day is quickly approaching!  Ava will be 1 on July 8th and we're throwing a big party at the house on the 9th.  I sent out 50 invitations, 99 people were invited and within those 99, 22 of those are kids.  And THAT was scaling back.  I honestly only think about half the adults and half the kids will show. 
I LOVE planning parties but I have to say, I probably started planning this one a little too last minute.  I'll admit, that's how I get stuff done best, under pressure.  We are having a pink and green mod monkey theme because Ava (or really we) LOVE monkies and of course, Ava is our little monkey girl!  I love the colors too.  I'm trying to make it as "homemade" as possible (with very little purchased from the party store) but I have to say, discovering Etsy when I was doing her birth announcements was a Godsend! Etsy is a host website to literally thousands of people who make all homemade things.  Anything you want, they have it.  It's awesome!  I love making my own things but realistically, it's pretty impossible working full time.  I plan on making some things but I am getting almost everything from Etsy, including her invitations which just went out yesterday.  I'm also getting her second outfit which is a personalized 1st bday tshirt w/personalized bloomers, ribbon, tutu, headband...the whole chabang!  Her first outfit will be a beautful pink princess dress I purchased when we got her christening outfit from another website.  It's adorable!  Let's see what else from Etsy? Her party hat, name banner, photo banner, barretts, favor tags, thank you notes.  Here's what her outfit looks like (so cute!):


And her hat:

 
For kids activities, instead of having them run endlessly up and down and back and forth, I'm going to set up outdoor activities - sprinklers, kiddie pool, water shooters, hoola hoops, sidewalk chalk, etc.  I'm PRAYING the parents assist in supervising their children because I know I will not have time to do it.  For food we're still deciding on whether or not to grill burgers, chicken and dogs or to have deli sandwiches.  I much prefer sandwiches.  Easy and less mess and stress.  We're also serving potato salad, fruit salad, veggie tray, chips and dips. Long story on the cake but I asked my closest aunt who bakes to make her cake.  She was honored.  I then had second thoughts and asked her what she thought about cupcakes and she was very straight forward and said she'll do whatever I want. I really wanted her opinion but she wouldn't give it to me. My mom thinks I shouldn't take advantage.  She thinks cupcakes would be much more work.  I'm not exactly sure.  I just know cupcakes are the in thing right now, so much easier than cutting cake and she's making Ava's smash cake as well.  Oh well. I told her we will just stick with the original plan of a sheet cake.  Lastly for favors, I'm up in the air.  I can easily get pouches, bags or tiny gift boxes, fill them with candy or animal crackers, tie em up and stick a thank you tag on them.  That would be the cheap option. Or, I found someone on Etsy who makes reusable sandwhich bags and she has 3 different monkey patterns!  They're $5.00 each so not bad.  But then I have to stuff them and decorate them.  I'm assuming close to $10 per favor going that route but it would so cute!  Ian is already having a heart attack.  He thinks I'm going a little overboard but I dont' think so at all.  It's her FIRST!  I won't do this for the next 15 lol:)  I haven't told him about the little things yet like how I got a pink tulle skirt for her high chair lol:0  He'll get to see those little things the day of the party.  I have other decorating things up my sleeve but hopefully I will be able to post them after the party.  I can't wait!  I cannot believe my daughter is going to be a year old in less than a month!  It goes too fast!