Finn's 1st Birthday Party

When we started talking about Finn's 1st birthday party I wasn't going to do a theme, but THEN I saw all this adorable hungry caterpillar stuff on Pinterest and I was swayed. Who can resist Eric Carle's best known and most beloved character?!? I had a great time planning all the little decorations and especially the cupcake cake.

Here's how it all went down:

The food table! I tried to stick to what the caterpillar eats in the story....well, loosely.  :)  Matt made the best BBQ to ever exist on earth, and the caterpillar didn't eat that.....but he totally would have if he had the chance! I just realized this was before I put the fruit tray out. My mom made my favorite fruit dip. It's finally all gone now, but not before I ate grapes every chance I got for 3 days just as an excuse to eat that dang dip. I now weigh 400 pounds. 

 

Here's a close up of the cake. Dody made the eyes, nose, antennae, and feet. What would I do without such an artistic sibling? As I was making the cake on Friday, Matt kept telling me the icing looked pink. Looks pretty darn red to me!

The "lantern" caterpillar....the idea was conceived (i.e. stolen from the internet) very early, but it was assembled at the very last minute. Thanks Mom, Dody, Jess, and Aunt Michele! 

Treat bags! Isn't this the reason you went to parties when you were little? Oh, that was just me, huh....

More treats!

Here's Finn modeling his way-too-cute, way-too-expensive outfit. I justify it because it was a special occasion.  :) 

The birthday boy had to be woken up from his nap when the party started. He wasn't too happy about that, but once he realized there were other small people here, he perked up. 

Oh yeah, and food. This child LOVES to eat. He was not shy and dug right in!

And then it was time for cake. I wasn't sure what he would do, but he knows yumminess when he sees it. He warmed up to the idea pretty quickly. 

"Yay! It's....umm, it's.....wait, what is this?"

"Soooo, I just....grab it? Just dig in?"

"Yuuuuummmmm!" After that, he really got into it. Literally. 

You know it's been a good party when you have icing in your hair. 

Then we (or actually I) opened presents. Finn was pretty interested in all the things that were in boxes, especially the big things, and all the things with buttons that made noise. 

This is just some of the goodies he got! Spoiled??? Maybe just a little!

We played and talked with friends a little longer.......

And then sadly it was time for everyone to go home and for the birthday boy to take a nap. He was asleep before I even left the room! 

We are blessed beyond measure to have so many that care for Finn and came (some from long distances) to share his special day. Yeah, I know he won't remember anything about it, but I will. And it means the world to me that Finn is so LOVED!!!