What does one look like? Wow –when I saw that question from the Today Show Community Parenting Editors, I had to stop for a moment. My “babies” are in college. It’s been two decades since I witnessed the wonderment of a one year-old, taking in all of the many new experiences – with pure emotion – whether it is joy, curiosity, uncertainty – or at times anger.

I am blessed to work with so many women – and men – who are just beginning their parenting journey. I can live vicariously through their photos, videos, stories – and when I am lucky – a chance to hold their little ones.

Parenting is full of milestones and the first big one is that first birthday party. I asked my franchisees and friends to share their ideas. There are SO MANY cute themes and ideas these days: Dr. Seuss: “Fall Harvest” complete with pumpkins and hay bales: Superheroes (especially Spiderman) and Princess Parties (hello “Frozen”). But one that caught my eye was the “Circus” Party.

The reason is that the request from Today Community Parenting is to share our ideas for celebrating their first big milestone – their first birthday. And like the circus, the Today Show and its counterpart – Today Community Parenting Blog truly are “The Greatest Show on Earth”

When it comes to planning parties, no one does it better than my friend and fellow mom and entrepreneur, Celebrity Event Planner, Marley Majcher, “The Party Goddess!”. She’s the one Brittney Spears called to plan her sons’ birthday bashes. She has planned parties for Sofia Vergara, Pierce Brosnan, Kelly Preston, Angie Harmon and even Snoop Dogg. So I reached out to Marley for some ideas on how to celebrate this milestone for Today Parenting

Here are few of her fabulous party ideas:

Clown Cake Cones

Have them double as a parting gift or the dessert itself!

Fun Food!

What could be better than Circus Snack Mix?

Build the Big Top Of Your Dreams!

Pre-create simple red and white cardboard pieces to construct the tent (and then embellish it, or knock it down and start over!)

Circus Bowling

Get as creative (or not) with cans and soft balls to burn off some energy!

Paper Plate Clown

Young toddlers just love this paper plate craft, especially the clown’s nose made from a small inflated balloon. Make a hole in the middle of the plate using a sharp pencil. When kids are happy with the final design of their clown face plates push the end of the balloon through the hole, inflate to the required nose size and then tie the balloon off.

Chalk It Up!

Paint a clown face and add colorful hair, a wig, or just draw the mustachioed “Strong Man”. The options are endless!