A Very Hungry One Year Old

Our little sailor has been an incredible eater since the moment he entered this world.  The joke among my family is that my husband and I will need to take on a second job just to support his healthy eating and growing appetite.  So when we started planning his first birthday the classic children's story by Eric Carle, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," was quite fitting for our very hungry one year old. 

 

My coworkers nicknamed me the "Google Queen" a few years ago and I still seem to live up to that title; often forgetting to hit up Pinterest for ideas.  In my Google search I found these adorable food labels at http://www.polkadotsandpuppies.com/2011/04/grants-1st-birthday-party.html that gave me the inspiration to put together the caterpillar's feast to celebrate our little sailor's first year.  From there, my very limited creativity took off. 

 

Thanks to http://makeitcozee.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/free-very-hungry-caterpillar-invitation.html I was able to design our own personalized party invitation.  I also used the download to make a timeline of baby D's first year.  (I will update this picture soon once it is hung in our living room.)  But in the meantime, here is a sneak-peak of how I used it...

 

We were honored to have my parents travel from the east coast to help ring in his birthday and join in the festivities!  I am quickly learning how to expand my creativity now that I have a little one of my own.  It's not the best, but it's the best for a beginner like myself.  

 

  In place of the chocolate cake (since we were having cupcakes) I baked a batch of brownies.  I accommodated the cherry pie with my mom's cherry squares with cherries we picked over the summer in Michigan.  (Recipe included at the bottom.)  Hot dogs are always a favorite of little people and they were easy to prepare and forget while we played.  I didn't think a salad would accompany our other treats, so before my anxiety took over for a replacement, mom came to the rescue (like always!) while we were at the Dollar Tree and handed me spearmint gum and mints.  (Obviously, these weren't intended for our youngest of guests.)  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

          

   

  I have attended many children's birthday parties over the years and one thing I never clearly understand were the gift bags full of toys that ended up in the trash before the weekend was over.  I have promised myself that I will not succumb to those gift bags.  Here is what our small guests in attendance received from our hungry caterpillar...(inexpensive, easy, and kid-friendly)

 

 

  

 My mom couldn't resist adding a stuffed caterpillar to each goody bag as well.  We were grateful to our local children's museum for also giving each attendee a pass for a free day of admission on their next visit.  (This was definitely an added bonus for having it there!)  Do your area have a children's museum like this one in our area?  Check it out; it was like a hidden treasure!  http://www.rlapd.org/programs-childrens-museum.cfm  My girlfriend teased me that I booked baby D's first birthday party here without visiting it first, but let me tell you, it was a pleasant surprise to everyone!     

 

 

What was or will be your little's first birthday theme? 

 

 

If you like what you read, share it.  And, please do not forget to follow me & subscribe to my blog.  Happy reading!