For my daughter’s first birthday party, there was a plan. A carefully orchestrated plan including theme (“ONEderland”), décor, refreshments, two outfit changes (for her, not me) and the list could go on.

This year, for her second birthday party, I booked the venue mere weeks before the party date. Our theme was bunnies. She likes bunnies and it was around Easter time, so I figured it wouldn’t be too difficult to find appropriate décor. With a venue and a theme nailed down, at least I had the most important elements taken care of.

Last year, I was a frazzled stress ball surrounding my daughter’s first birthday party. I was put upon by Pinterest pressure and the idea that “she only turns one once”—I had to make her first birthday party exceedingly memorable. For who, I’m not sure, as I’m quite certain we don’t form memories as 1-year-olds.

Not this year. I decided I wanted to potentially enjoy my daughter’s birthday, so I wasn’t going to put that level of stress upon myself or our bank account. Last year I spent more on cake (one for guests and a smash cake for baby), cupcakes and cookies than I did on our wedding cake. Ridiculous. This year I kept it simple with a cake shaped like a bunny and some bunny cookies that ended up looking more like frosted blobs than rabbits.

I opted to hit up the cheapskate’s décor paradise, Dollar Tree, for décor, thinking surely I could get out for a reasonable amount: $99.56 later I’d purchased every rabbit-themed artifact the store had to offer. If nothing else I figured I could just overwhelm guests with bunnies so they wouldn’t hone in on my lack of effort.

Last year, our daughter wore a pretty dress with a matching birthday hat hair clip, both monogrammed with the number one. Her second outfit was a tasteful smocked one-piece with a birthday cake stitched below the Peter Pan collar. This year? I barely made the cut-off to have a shirt monogrammed with a two, her name and a bunny, which we paired with jeans and tennis shoes. The idea of jeans and tennis shoes last year would’ve horrified me.

Then there were the invitations. I found some super cute invites online and ordered entirely too many—especially since I forgot to invite full branches of our family tree. I realized my mistake the week of the party, which required Facebook messages rather than a nice mailed invitation.

The big day arrived. With the help of my Mom, a walking Pinterest/Martha Stewart conglomeration, everything turned out pretty darn cute (minus the frosted blob cookies). Family started to arrive and our daughter was the center of attention, exactly where she yearns to be. We ate, we watched the kids run around and play, we caught up with family we don’t see nearly often enough, we opened presents, we tore everything down and we went home.

And you know what? I think I liked this year’s party even better than last year. Maybe next year I’ll aim for putting forth even less effort in hopes of an even better outcome.

Ginny Hensley was born and raised in central Arkansas (Conway, specifically) and currently resides in Maumelle with her wonderful husband and feisty daughter. Ginny works in public relations and blogs when she has the time (which is almost never) at OMGGinny.com.