I am always shocked by how quickly time goes by when you are busy having fun with kids! It is hard to believe that my "baby" just celebrated his first birthday. I wonder when we will all drop the "baby" from his name, Baby Ira. :) We had such fun at his birthday celebration and I had so much fun planning for it, I just had to share. Mikayo's first birthday was themed after a favorite classic children's story of mine (Where the Wild Things Are) so I thought I would follow the same trend and choose a book for Ira's. I chose one of my all time favorite children's books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The little man loves this book too and brings it to me several times a day to have me read it to him. Here is a collection of photos from the big day:
From top left: 1. Our photo booth was transformed into a fruit toss using imitation apples and pears. It was a big hit with the little ones. 2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake made from a Chocolate Wafer Cookie Log and a giant cake ball for the head. 3. Craft - Coffee filter butterflies. We also had finger print caterpillar bookmark craft, coloring sheets and make your own caterpillar glue craft with pre-cut green and red circles. 4. Butterfly cupcakes with yogurt covered pretzel wings and jelly bean bodies. We also had caterpillar (worm) cupcakes with mocha icing for the grown-ups. 5. Thank you for coming lollipops and jellybean caterpillars (using skinny cellophane bags from Stampin' Up!). Special Cheerio/Baby Puff Butterfly treats for the youngest guests. 6. We had antennae headbands for all our little guests and some butterfly wings to play with as well. 7. invitation with pictures of the little man throughout the year. 8. "ice cream cones" made from Rice Krispie treats in mini cones, chocolate drizzle and an m&m "cherry" on top. These were my first attempt at making Rice Krispie treats and I have to say, they turned out pretty well! 9. Hand painted photo booth (later to become the fruit toss game) 10. Paper plate caterpillar displaying photos of the little man chronologically throughout the year. Guests were given plain paper plates with their invitations and were asked to get creative and decorate their plates green. I loved seeing what everyone came up with. 11. Sign in on themed/decorated scrapbook paper so it can be added straight into his scrapbook and so that we can always remember who was there celebrating with us on this special day. 12. Most of the food came directly from the book, "On Monday he ate through one apple. But he was still hungry" Food is labelled with artwork from the book. We also added caterpillars made from grapes with a strawberry head, and mini cucumbers with baby bell heads. Gummy caterpillars (worms) and gummy butterflies as well as themed plates and napkins from http://www.carlemuseum.org/Shop/Party_Supplies finished the snack table.
Now for one last photo from the day because I just can't resist:
