While we were in Virginia, we had Charlie's birthday party a few early so we could celebrate with family and friends before heading up to Connecticut. I am SO glad we finally had the opportunity to share Charlie with the people closest to us! It's definitely been hard being so far away from home, and not being able to have people be a part of Charlie's life so this was an important day for us...kind of like closure that we're no longer stuck on an island and completely isolated. Plus, not only were we celebrating Charlie's first year, but also that we survived this first year with this crazy little boy!
It was only fitting to have a monster themed first birthday party, since Charlie is so affectionately referred to by Dennis and I as "our little monster." (Also fitting, because Charlie responds to us calling him "monster", just as often as he responds to us calling him Charlie... is that bad?!)
I may have gone a little overboard with his party but how many times do you have full control over a child's birthday party? Before we know it, he'll have likes and interests and be making the decision about what kind of party he wants...so I enjoyed every moment of having full control over this one.
I knew I wanted to make his smashcake and cupcakes myself...I had this vision that I didn't think anyone else could bring to life (or at least anyone in our price range!)
These were our party favors... Oriental Trading was awesome for finding monster themed favors! I found monster temporary tattoos, monster suckers, mini stuffed monsters, and even monster rubber duckies! Our party favor center piece was a monster pinata I found at Target!
It was also a special day because Charlie got to meet Wyatt! Wyatt is the son of one of my childhood friends and was born just a few months after Charlie!
All of the boys had a blast in the pool and it was such a perfect day for it!
I love all of the monster gift bags!
Charlie LOVED his cake!
"mmmmm so goood."
My monster cupcakes were a hit... Gunnar could hardly wait to get his hands on them!
While everyone else ate a cupcake, Tessa enjoyed munching on her pretty, purple sunglasses.
(don't you just love her little ponytail!?)
Charlie had SO much fun opening his presents and got some pretty awesome things!
When I say my child is obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba, I mean it. Ever since he got this Yo Gabba Gabba boombox toy from our friends Diane & Josh (and Tessa!) he hasn't left it alone. Today when our cable was hooked up in our new house, Yo Gabba Gabba came on Nick Jr and he immediately went over to the boombox because he's been so used to listening to the songs on there the past few weeks! Thank you Diane and Josh- you've definitely helped in keeping him entertained!
This is Charlie's new "Ugly Doll!" If you haven't heard of Ugly Dolls, they are these cute little stuffed monsters that we've started collecting for his room. This one's name is "Ugly Charlie!"
Just one last photo because it's so cute... this was taken the day after the party when he was trying out a new photography prop I found at the thrift store.
