Char party madness, part 3

So with the food and decor on our side, the party was pulled off so effortlessly that I found myself pacing nervously around the room disturbed by my idleness-- why did I have nothing to do?! Because it was a small group--just our closest peeps-- and no games or activities for a baby party, I pretty much actually got to sit back and enjoy it! (When I wasn't nervously pacing, that is.) Oh yeah, when I said no activities I meant that the ball pit was like 10 rowdy and hilarious activities in one, so none other were needed.)

Kyle and I were both ecstatic and extremely relieved to see the end of my season-of-soireees. (Four thrown in five weeks.)


Char's our first kid to get a smash-cake experience. Well, I guess Erik had an accidental one.

Charlie waah-ed at first until he got a taste (but not before Erik did)...

And then he put on a pretty good show.


Some frosting even made it to the wall behind him.

He hasn't eaten a vegetable since. Oh well. That was fun, and fun is good.

We did have a quiz on Char's first year, that (surprise, surprise) Mish and Kjerstin tied to win.
I didn't get a group shot or pics of presents, but rest assured they were cool.

I believe it was a happy birthday for this boy (clad in a second Hungry Caterpillar outfit-- gifted by the Pauls-- which fit him despite being size 3-6 months). He's a pretty nice young lad, and much more so since his first birthday. (That's all to come in the next post.)

Also, this is my new favorite party I've thrown (it tends to be my most recent one)! I pretty much loved everything about it, and I pretty much love everything about Charlie. (Sometimes.)

But he was still hungry.... Char party, part 2

Remember this little guy? As promised, I will guide you through a tour of his gluttony, and likewise that of our party guests. (I will acknowledge that a close-up of fruit wedges falls short of thrilling some people. I'm glad you're not one of those people.)

You may suspect that Erik's hand was at the scissors for these tags, but no. If you recall, much of Eric Carle's artistic appeal to me is his wonky non-perfectionism. In fact, when making the food banner, I had to force myself to cut crooked sometimes! Being an utter slob by nature, this artistic allowance felt splendid.











I go to Mish for all my baking needs.



Yes, leaves buried in what else but more fruit! Char had such a fun diaper the next day.

I was originally planning on a bundt cake type caterpillar, but it turns out I don't have a bundt cake pan.

The same friend who made Erik's dinosaur cake offered her talents again and whipped out these whimsical pretties, which are much better than a bundt cake.

Not as well balanced a spread as I prefer to serve at parties, but everyone got their eight-fruits-a-day!

Next, since I did technically do this for him and not for food and streamers, Charlie makes an appearance at his own birthday party.

Char's 1st birthday party, part 1

Here's my inspiration for this party...

I mean the jammies (which read "but he was still hungry"). Although not nearly as accurate of skinny Char as they were when tubby Erik wore them, I still always loved the parallel between the chubby caterpillar and a lunch mouth baby. Throw in the bright and charming illustrations of Eric Carle and my affinity for book themed parties, and I had myself a pretty little party plan down pat.

I used leftover streamers from Erik's prehistoric jungle two weeks previous and sewed them together all ruffle-like. Okay, I know. Even I felt a little stingy recycling crepe paper, the epitome of cheap party decor to begin with. For the record, my primary motive was reluctance to make trash. (And yes, I neatly rolled and saved them afterward for continued use.)

I don't think I've ever done helium balloons at a party before because they cost more than their less-than-chic appearance is usually worth. Then again, am I by any imaginable stretch chic? Okay, it's mostly the cost. However, a caterpillar balloon chain was a little too adorable to resist!

The birthday banner was a breeze, since on this my fourth party employing it, I finally figured out how to operate it without adult supervision.

Behold the food banner! I really should have framed this work of art.

What I love almost as much as how it looks is how easy it was to make. I mean it. I had the kids and their pals paint white paper almost however they would, and after it dried I snipped my way through all the treats that little caterpillar did and voila! A 100% homemade banner that looks basically the same as if Eric Carle had done it himself! Anyone could make this, seriously. But don't, because I'd be more than happy to lend mine out and give it some more glory.




So I guess I picked too many pictures to make my caterpillar look shorter than an anaconda.


I learned from the party favor time suck of Noe's shower jars and went with mini hair elastics this time. One night while I girl talked with Laurisa over the phone from 10 pm-2am, I punched out a million green circles and made all the tags. It sounds a little cheesy to thank guests for loving Charlie instead of just for coming, but only our bestest and most loyal peeps were in attendance, so it needed a more intimate message.

Plus, all those peeps know that baby Charlie tended to be a little difficult to love, so really, I am grateful they still loved him!



Pretty much the party was a success because of the ball pit, borrowed from the ever-generous Hardys. It just kind of pulled all the primary color and shape elements of the food and decor in, and mostly it substantially raised the decibel level of fun.

Menu coming soon, although if you're at all familiar with the book (wait, or even if you looked at that food banner) you know what's coming. Who doesn't love a good food photo, though?