So the truth is that first birthdays and probably even second birthdays are more for the parents and their adult friends then they are for the child. This is what happens when you combine two people who both like to cook and bake, an artist and a crafter. My poor son...
Decorations:
This is a wreath I found instructions for on the Internet. It is literally made out of scrapbook paper. Super easy and very eye catching. It was much bigger then I anticipated so that is all we placed on the door.
We had bug cut outs every where. This was Unkie Herb's job. A friend of mine at the office had originally made them for my Student Life baby shower. We saved them, Beth gave me a few new ones, and presto instant wall art.
I love this banner, unfortunately the balloons got in the way when we took the photo. The artwork was created in Adobe Illustrator and the rest from some good 'ol elbow grease cutting and gluing.
This caterpillar is a replica of William's invitation and has each months photo attached. Turned out even better then I had envisioned in my head.
Food Central:
No surprise that in the Baker household the food table would be the centerpiece. Typically I'd be the one decorating the cake but in this year's efforts Cameron did the cake and cupcakes, we split the work on the homemade chocolates, Cameron did the chocolate Happy Birthday and I did all sugar cookies and the rest of the food.
The cake was Devil's Food with grass. The original plan had a cupcake caterpillar on top of the grass but Cameron didn't realize the cake would be so small. At the last minute we improvised.
Here are my cookies. I need a lot more practice. Not too bad for a first attempt at cookie decorating. I also borrowed Cameron's office candy jar and turned that into a fruit salad server (I thought it looked good).
There's the plate of chocolates in the back. Most folks wouldn't eat them because the thought of brown bugs was unappetizing apparently. They tasted great. The lower plate is allergy free shaped cupcakes. We have friends with gluten allergies, one of the little girls is allergic to strawberries (which was the cupcake flavor), and dairy allergies - so we tried to have a little bit of something for everyone in the sweet category.
This is just an overhead shot of the cake and cupcake caterpillar.
Presents:
I'd been advised that one year old's focused more on wrapping paper and bags then on the actual gifts. We spent time wrapping things just so he'd have paper to tear.
In the beginning that sentiment held true, the paper was fun.
Tissue paper was even better.
But in true William fashion, once he found out that there were toys in the packages, we had a battle to move on to the next present because he wanted to play or read everything that got opened.
Angry Birds - a big hit with our friends, William is still undecided.
William is in love with gears and other things that spin and move - hence a number of gear toys.
Cake Eating:
Finally it was time for the cake. At first he was interested in the candle. So I had to intervene until everyone was done singing Happy Birthday.
He went for the chocolate Happy Birthday spears.
Then the hand dug into the corner of the cake.
At first he was unsure and spit out what he had shoveled into his mouth.
But as you can see, it didn't take long for him to figure out that cake and icing are a yummy goodness that should be shared with others and smeared on his face.
Overall we had a great party. We are still recovering a week later.
