Birdies on the Green.: January 2013

Now that Cameron is 4 months shy from being 2, I thought I'd finally sit down and share his The Very Hungry Caterpillar 1st birthday with you all. It was a very hard decision when I finally sat down to decide what Cameron's theme would be for his 1st birthday. When he was born, I just knew his 1st birthday would be a golf theme since that's what his father loves, but as time went on, I thought we should do something that defined Cameron's likes, not mine or Ryan's. While pregnant and throughout his first year, I read several different books to Cameron and 2 books really grew on him, Goodnight Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. So, I thought either of those could be an option and, at that time, "Mustache Bash" parties were really becoming the new trend. I absolutely loved the "Mustache Bash" theme, along with a "Little Cowboy" or "Little Sailor" theme, but I decided to wait on the "Little Cowboy" for his 1st birthday since his older cousin, Brynnon, was a "Little Cowboy" on his 1st birthday... I decided maybe I should skip out on something our family has done before, at least for Cameron's 1st birthday. I also decided to wait on the "Little Sailor" and "Mustache Bash" and decided it would be between his 2 favorite books... they, in a way, to me, defined him, the other themes didn't. I thought, "This is Cameron's 1st birthday, so I should let him make the final decision." So, I grab both books, set them both in front of him and told him to pick one... The Very Hungry Caterpillar it was! Today, he would choose Goodnight Moon for sure. Haha... He LOVES that book! :) His daddy has said, "It's probably because he likes the way his mom reads it to him."

Love our story time together!

Once his theme was decided, the planning began in my head. IF YOU KNOW ME, you know I dress Cameron according to every holiday, event, and even movies we are going to sit down and watch together. It's my goal to make EVERYTHING special for my little guy! So, first things first...his outfit(s), yes outfits! You can't just wear one outfit for your very first birthday! I knew I wanted a classic, custom white romper (love the 50's "baby" look) with the caterpillar on it for the beginning of his party and opening presents, and for his first cake experience, I wanted a neck tie, also with the caterpillar on it, and a classic white sailor diaper cover. I sat down at my laptop, went to Click: Etsy.com typed in The Very Hungry Caterpillar and, to my surprise, there were a TON of listings! I found everything from his outfits to his banner to cupcake toppers and the most amazing cookies ever. As for his shoes, I knew I wanted some soft suede Robeez by Stride Rite. He had a precious pair of golf Robeez his Aunt Jennifer found for him, and I loved how classy and soft they were. And, while reading the book to Cam one day, I noticed Click: Shop Carle Museum in it, so I decided I'd visit. Not only did I find the Robeez, I found very cute caterpillar balloons, napkins, tablecloths, party favors, etc.! It's a VERY neat website if you like the Eric Carle collections (like Cameron and I do) or may be planning a The Very Hungry Caterpillar baby shower or birthday party.

Cameron has quite the Eric Carle collection thanks to his Aunt Jennifer, everything from custom outfits, infant toys, books, stuffed animals, bike helmet, and a precious place mat setting from Pottery Barn Kids . Ryan and I and his "Meme" Sanders have also added books to his collection. Oh, and yes, I've been using Click: Episencial Organic Body Care on Cameron since he was born which displays The Very Hungry Caterpillar on it's packaging. I highly recommend this organic body line for your baby and/or child. I absolutely love their soothing cream for Cameron, especially when he had the newborn eczema, it cured it in one day!

Okay, okay... back to the party planning...

I wanted a high chair cover, but thought I'd never use it again. So, instead of a high chair cover, I went with an option I knew I'd get use out of, a The Very Hungry Caterpillar crib sheet from Click: Pottery Barn Kids Sheeting and wrapped it around Cameron's high chair.

I found "Cameron" balloons and confetti (for the tables) at Party City, and we are/were so grateful to have had a local florist go up to her shop and air all our balloons up for us since Cameron's first birthday fell on a Sunday. A HUGE thank you to her! :)

I knew I wanted to do something sentimental for Cameron, so I had Hopes for Cameron cards made and had everyone who attended his party to fill out one and seal it in an envelope for Cameron to open on his 18th birthday. BUT, I may let him open them on his 13th or 15th birthday. He may need some valuable advice (hopes) come the beginning of his teenage years. To add to the sentimental value of his 1st birthday, I painted a yellow tree on canvas and had everyone paint their thumb print and stamp it on the tree instead of signing a book. I thought it was all my idea, but boy, was I all wrong! Pinterest doesn't let you have a mind of your own anymore, but I can truthfully say that I have never seen either thing done or have heard of either when I first planned it. So, I just look at it now as "great minds think alike." Either way, both are something he will always have now. :)

As for his smash cake, I knew I wanted to stick with something as natural as I possibly could since he had never had cake before. I've been pretty keen on organics for Cam, so I was on a mission to find a recipe that fit that, and I found one! Click: Cake Recipe to view the recipe! I found the agave necture that's called for in the recipe at Click: Williams-Sonoma in Southlake, TX, but I recently purchased it at Sprouts Farmers Market. It's great to bake with, but I love it in a warm cup of tea or even that occasional cup of coffee, as well! I also found the "cupcake" cake pan at Click: Cupcake Cake Pan!

Love, love, love Williams-Sonoma!

I decided I'd make cupcakes for birthday guests, instead of a cake, that way my hands were never tied to cutting a cake and possible missing a bit of Cameron's party. I chose to use "Sprinkles" Click: Sprinkles cupcake mix and William's-Sonoma Click: WS Cupcake Mix since neither are near us to have them specially made! And I chose to ice both kinds of the red velvet with the cream cheese icing recipe enclosed in the "Sprinkles" red velvet mix can, and I followed the vanilla buttercream recipe on the back of the William-Sonoma mix for both kinds of vanilla cupcakes...It was better than the "Sprinkles" vanilla...but that's a secret...Shhhhh. Oh, and by-the-way, the cupcakes were all a hit!

All-in-all, I had a blast baking everything but the cookies Click: Cookie Shop, planning every bit of, and putting together Cameron's party! So very grateful to have had my Gran help me with the orange jello project I did see on Pinterest, and she also helped cut out apple shaped wheat bread for the yummy chicken salad she made! Ryan's sister helped cut up the fruit and helped with the last of the details of Cameron's party at our local county party house, along with Gran and Ryan...could not have done it without them!

Please visit the BEST party store on the planet! I found lots of goodies for Cameron's party here, even found more for his 2nd "Mustache Bash" birthday party!

You will not be disappointed! Click: http://www.shopsweetlulu.com/

I hope you enjoy...