Charles is ONE!

Charles turned one on March 24 and we celebrated with some family and friends last Saturday at our house.  In some ways it feels like he's been around 5 years and in other ways it seems like I was just pregnant.  I decided to go with a "party animal" theme - lots of animals and party hats!  

Special thanks to my mom and Bailey for all of their help getting ready for the party.  I was in NYC for the 3 days leading up to his birthday and could not have pulled it off without them.

Picture overload time.

Invitations - I ordered the Caspari Party Animal directly from Caspari and then designed and printed out the text at home - easy and cost efficient.

My sweet mom made the cakes for me (funfetti!).  I made the little bunting banners quickly in powerpoint and printed out on cardstock and glued to grilling skewers :)  I ordered all the animals off Amazon & the little party hats for the animals off Etsy - see specific links & sources for everything at bottom.

Favors - I saved his baby food jars, stripped the labels (quite the pain!), spray painted the lids and spray painted mini animals to create a fun and festive treat for the guests to take home.

I found these cute and free hats online (signature party hats at Caravan Shop) that were perfect - different animals in black and white wearing colorful party hats.  I printed them out on cardstock and Bailey made the yarn pom pom that we hot glued onto the tops.

Olivia was so thrilled to be modeling one for us...

Someone was NOT a fan of everyone staring at him in his highchair.

We moved his highchair out into the backyard a bit away from everyone and he was a little more curious.

Someone wanted his cake...

The man of the hour with his adoring grandparents

Our dear friends, Liz & Jack, gave him the cutest Ray Ban juniors.  Josh was jealous of them!

Charles - we love you so much and are so proud of the little boy you are becoming!

One more of the animals in party hats bc I can't stand how cute they are.  I think I'll put them on the bookcase in his room with the hats for a little, but then strip the hats and let him play with them as he gets older and is more interested in them.  All except the tiger (which I just realized along with the giraffe is not pictured) are darling and very realistic -- the tiger is a crazy neon.

Sources: Caspari Party Animal Invitations / Caspari Party Animal Plates & Napkins / Learning Resources Jumbo Jungle Animals / Learning Resources Jumbo Endangered Animals / Learning Resources Jumbo Zoo Animals / Meri Meri Happy Birthday Garland / Meri Meri Spotty Tablecloths / Mini Animals on Cake - Safari Ltd Toob / Mini Gold Wild Animals on Favors and these / Animal Party Hats - Mini Party Hat Cupcake Toppers / Gold Wild Animal Drink Stirrers

XO,

Whit