A Very Hungry Caterpillar Celebration.
This past Saturday, we celebrated our boy. Family and friends gathered at our home to wish Ethan a Happy Birthday, and as usual, I felt immensely blessed knowing how many people love our children (and like us, too!). I've been planning this celebration for months, wanting to bring the theme, based on the classic Eric Carle children's book, to life. Thanks to many helping hands, we pulled it off and I couldn't have been happier on party day. And while my obsessive-compulsive tendancies show themselves most during the days prior to a big party, and I morph from a rather laid back mom to a stressed out lunatic, it is always worth it! I love doing this for my children, and I love having the people I care about and cherish in one place!
I clipped pictures, from newborn to 12 months, on ribbon so we could see how much Ethan has grown during his first year. I marked newborn, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months using these little tags I made, attached to clothes pins.
I knew it was going to be a hot afternoon, so I set up a craft table for those who were interested. The girls really seemed to enjoy this. They colored key chains and created personalized door hangers and frames using lots of foam stickers!
Favor bags! I actually found these bags first and thought, this would be a great color scheme for a party... These colors happened to work really well with the caterpillar theme, as did the circles, which are on the invitation and cakes.
Originally, I had planned to include each of the foods from the book in the menu somehow, but decided to go an easier route instead. A few did make it to the table, like the watermelon, cheese, cupcakes, lollipops, and strawberries. :)
More party pictures...
One of the highlights for me was watching the boys (and a few grown men) play a game of football in the backyard. It was HOT, but the kids enjoyed playing outside anyway. Some of the younger little ones stayed indoors, playing with toys and working at the craft table.
Another highlight was of course watching Ethan with his smash cake. I think he was a little overwhelmed by the number of people crammed in our living room, but after a few tears, he did enjoy some of his cake!
Oh, the cake! My girlfriend, Megan, made Ethan's cakes, both the main cake and his smash cake. I was blown away by her work on them, not only the outside, but the actual cake itself was delicious! The detail on it was amazing. Later, I even compared some of her work to the pictures in the book and couldn't believe how dead on her fondant foods were to the actual illustrations. I owe her one... And I know she'll say she loved doing it and she loves Ethan, but I at least owe her a few drinks at Starbucks. ;)
Megan and I got together last month and discussed my hopes/vision for Ethan's cake. I specifically asked for the sun to be incorporated if possible, since I love it in the Eric Carle books. That vision really came to life in an edible form and I just love it, along with all of the other details! Here is the backside of the cake.
Overall, my baby's first birthday was everything I hoped it would be. A little voice keeps reminding me that this was probably the last first birthday I'll ever plan, so I'm thankful it all came together the way that it did. Some may think this party was less for Ethan, more for me, since he obviously won't remember this day when he's grown. I would argue that this party was for everyone who's loved my boy during his first 365 days with us. This wasn't a celebration in honor of one day, it was in honor of all the joy this sweet boy has brought to our lives since Day 1.
Good Morning, Birthday Boy!
Here are a few pictures of the decorations:
Favor bags! I actually found these bags first and thought, this would be a great color scheme for a party... These colors happened to work really well with the caterpillar theme, as did the circles, which are on the invitation and cakes.
This is my birthday boy mantel! I added Ethan's pictures to the frames and made his "Very Hungry Caterpillar" birthday banner, inspired by an idea I found on Pinterest.
More balloons, with the hungry caterpillar himself on them. :)
One of the highlights for me was watching the boys (and a few grown men) play a game of football in the backyard. It was HOT, but the kids enjoyed playing outside anyway. Some of the younger little ones stayed indoors, playing with toys and working at the craft table.
Another highlight was of course watching Ethan with his smash cake. I think he was a little overwhelmed by the number of people crammed in our living room, but after a few tears, he did enjoy some of his cake!
Megan and I got together last month and discussed my hopes/vision for Ethan's cake. I specifically asked for the sun to be incorporated if possible, since I love it in the Eric Carle books. That vision really came to life in an edible form and I just love it, along with all of the other details! Here is the backside of the cake.
We love you so, Ethan Reid! I adored celebrating with you!!!
How sweet!!! What an amazing party you threw; and I love what you said about its purpose - it was for everyone who has spent the last year loving him, and that's a lot of people!!!
ReplyDelete(Oh, and the cake - yeah, you owe Megan a LOT of Starbucks, those creations are AMAZING!!!!)
You did such an amazing job with this party! I loved all of your attention to details, decorations, food, etc. It was precious! And we had so much fun, too! It was such a wonderful way to celebrate Ethan's first year, and all he means to us! I still cannot believe he's one, already!
ReplyDeleteI'm just so relieved that you were happy with how the cakes turned out, that's thanks enough for me! Well that, and your priceless friendship :-) It meant so much to me that you even thought to entrust me with such a task. I just didn't want to ultimately let you down.
Wonderful party! Loved the theme! And the event!