Party Time

Each year, I try to create the best birthday party I can for my son Camden. I figure I can never get these precious days back so why not go out with a bang. I guess you could say I like planning parties too. For his first birthday, the theme was, The Hungry Caterpillar. We had two parties, one in PA and one in MD for all of our family and friends. The first pictures are from our church social hall in Pennsylvania.

 This is a picture of the birthday sign I created. I have never cut out so many circles in my life.

 

 

These cakes and cupcakes were created at Giant in Meadville, PA and were super delicious!

 My mom made her famous sugar cookies.

 

I created our own caterpillar with red and green balloons.

 I also created a caterpillar photo timeline of Camden's first year.

 

 

I purchased a personalized t-shirt on etsy.

 

 I also made a highchair sign that was made to look like The Hungry Caterpillar.

 

Each child received a cute visor that I made with red foam visors from Michael's. I just added eyes and a nose.

The second party was a little easier because it was at a local restaurant and I was able to use many of the decorations for a second time. The table cloths I was able to purchase at Target which was great! I had plates and placemats that matched each jelly bean color on each table as centerpieces.

Guests were asked to sign a copy of Eric Carle's book, The Hungry Caterpillar as a keepsake for Camden. My mom and I created the cake and the cupcakes after I had ordered one from a local grocery store that did not look pleasing at all! I think we did a great job!

Yes, I sorted all of those Jelly Belly jelly beans too! I am a little OCD when it comes to party planning.



Last year, for Camden's second birthday our theme was Elmo and Sesame Street. I found so many great ideas on the internet. Below are just a few photos from the party.

My friend Bobbi created this Elmo out of baby tomatoes, black olives, and carrots.

 

My mom and I created the cake and the cupcakes. I purchased the cake pan and the candy eyes at JoAnn's, with my coupons of course. 

 

The tradition continued with guests signing a book with the party theme so that Camden would have another keepsake as he grows up.

The goody bags had crayons and gold fish in them of course. I also wanted something personal and educational that the kids could have so I created shakers. The shakers you see in the background have colored rice in them. There are also letters in each one that spelled the child's name. The tags were color coordinated with the beads inside so the kids knew what color beads to look for. They were a big hit. I had to drink a lot of orange juice and dye a lot of rice but it was well worth it. 

 

One of the things that I saw online and knew that I had to create were these adorable character heads out of tissue paper. Once I created the faces out of cardstock, the rest was easy.  I think I used about 8-12 sheets of tissue paper in each color.

 

My husband and I created this great Camden Street sign after seeing a similar one online. Ryan, my husband wanted ours to actually work so he used an led light under the globe that turns on and off. Camden and all of his guests had a great time.

 

 

I know Camden is looking forward to his Cars party this year as am I. Stay tuned, the party planning has commenced....

 

Michelle :)