Ashanti and Nelly Rev Up for Baby KK’s First Birthday in Car-Themed Bash (Exclusive)

Happy birthday, KK!

Nelly and Ashanti were all smiles as they celebrated their son’s first birthday on July 19 on Long Island, New York. The couple welcomed their baby boy, born Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, last year on July 18.

The Kunda and Friends themed bash was filled with endless activities for the partygoers. The event space featured a dual slide and playpen, a race track with cars and trucks featuring the “KK Turns One” logo on each vehicle, a stage setup with Kunda and the Lion waving to guests and a bounce house for the children. 

Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi, Co-Creator of Kunda and Friends, flew from Uganda to surprise the Haynes family with a special presentation of an animated version of Kunda and Friends, including Ashanti, Nelly and KK. 

Attendees included Simone Smith and Todd “LL Cool J” Smith, singer Lloyd and many friends and family members, who wore custom shirts detailing their relationship with KK.

Hot Wheels provided gift bag goodies for the kids, which included an Ultimate Garage Playset and toy cars. Organic juices, smoothies and food were provided by Evelyn’s Kitchen and Cuts & Slices and desserts were provided by Toni’s Minis and Hanoli Cakes NY.

KK entered the Long Island venue in a miniature white Lamborghini, sporting sunglasses and a crown, waving and giggling to guests. His parents were beaming the entire day.

“We cannot believe KK is 1,” Nelly and Ashanti tell PEOPLE exclusively. “This year has flown by and we have enjoyed every minute of seeing his milestones, funny moments and growth. He brings us and our family so much joy.”

After giving birth to KK last year, Ashanti decided that she wasn’t quite ready to show his face to the world. During a panel at the American Black Film Festival earlier this summer, the hitmaking songstress, 44, explained that it was her way of keeping her “sacred” bond with her son.

“I just feel like I’m kind of like a mama bear already, you know? Very protective. And I just feel like, I didn’t wanna show my son to the world,” she said while promoting her new reality series Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together.

“I haven’t even posted him on Instagram or anything like that,” she continued. “I just feel like those moments are very sacred to me, and we’ll make the decision on when he’s ready to pop out and show.”

While Ashanti takes all the precautions she can when it comes to KK, Nelly, 50, has more of a laid back approach. In a chat with PEOPLE last month, the rapper described Ashanti as “motherly overprotective,” while he considers himself more “safety overprotective.”

“I know if they don’t learn certain things by the time they reach a certain age, we’re going to pay for that, I promise you. And it’s going to backfire on us in a big way.”

All eight episodes of Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together are available to stream on Peacock.