Hungry Caterpillar Party

This is the first year I threw a themed birthday party, and I'm very glad I did. My youngest celebrated her 1st birthday last week. It was a small gathering with immediate family. The party's theme was based on the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," by Eric Carle; it's one of A's favorites. We own the board book along with a stuffed caterpillar toy. These turned out to be perfect party props.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle

The week before the party, I combed through Pinterest boards for food, decor and party ideas -- believe me, there were PLENTY to chose from. Lucky for me, I wasn't the first mama to put something like this together. ;)

Here are a few photos of the festivities:

Found these free coloring pages for the party. Get your color on!

Instead of balloons, I used paper plates to create a caterpillar inching across the doorway. Gotta say, this was much faster than blowing up balloons. Plus, we're trying to stay away from balloons during the toddler-rearing years.

"On Sunday he ate through one piece of chocolate cake, one ice-cream cone, one pickle, one slice of swiss cheese, one slice of salami, one lollipop, one piece of cherry pie..."

Hungry Caterpillar Party | Themed Birthday Party Snacks | by CustodiansofBeauty.blogspot.com

Party themed finger foods. Easy peasy. The birthday girl loves pickles, too!

I printed out some of the food illustrations from the book to use in the table decorations. A bit of green grass from Dollar General, and a bucket from Target...total cost: $1.80 and wha-la! Nothin' to it.

Hungry Caterpillar Party | Cupcakes | by CustodiansofBeauty.blogspot.com

Honestly, I had high hopes for these cupcakes. (See, the caterpillar is eating through the apple. Do ya get it? ) They looked adorable on Pinterest. Just didn't turn out the way I imagined. The caterpillars (gummy worms) and the green leaves (fruit roll up) wilted. But, everyone enjoyed the cute idea and ate them all the same. Btw, I made the cupcakes from scratch using a no-egg-milk-or-butter recipe. That recipe is a keeper.

Enjoying her cupcake sans-caterpillar. The girl only has four teeth, how's she suppose to consume a gummy worm?

So, you may be asking... are there more themed parties planned for the future? Yes, absolutely. I might run with the children's book theme. Maybe throw a "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" party (I've got a Pinterest board growing with ideas already!)

Comments

If You Give a Moose a Muffin Party

These dull, gray and cold days of winter seem long and unending. Fortunately, our family was able to escape the dreariness and celebrate a birthday this month. For our daughter's second birthday we hosted a moose party themed after the cherished book, If You Give a Moose a Muffin , by Laura Numeroff. My siblings and I grew up reading this funny story and listening to the book on tape. The silly tale is about a hungry moose who follows the smell of fresh muffins. He enters the house and asks the boy for a muffin, but this is just the beginning of many comical requests. The amusing complications that ensue will entertain youngsters (and adults). Since I had such a hoot planning last year's caterpillar party , I was eager to start collecting/creating the decor for the moose party. The book was acquired (for free!) when I posted an "ISO" in the local Facebook sale page. I'm hoping to do another post featuring this book with photos of the illustrations.

Stations of the Cross (for Toddlers)

During Lent, I wanted to incorporate the Stations of the Cross as a weekly devotion at our home. Getting my three and two year old daughters to sit and be still, whether at church in the pew or eating their lunch, is a constant struggle. I wasn't sure whether they would be able to focus and remain engaged as we prayed. After gathering ideas on Pinterest, I found a hands-on Stations of the Cross kit. There are 14 items (small enough for little hands to hold) representing each station. What I like about this kit is that most of the items can be found in your home. On Fridays before their "quiet-time", I light a candle and have the girls sit with me at the table while we pray the Stations of the Cross. We begin by making the sign of the cross together and then I read the first station. I let the two year old hold the item first. I pray, "We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world." At the end of thi

Feast of St. Therese the Little Flower

St. Therese, the Little Flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I implore and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more. Amen "St. Therese loved nature, and often used the imagery of nature to explain how the Divine Presence is everywhere, and how everything is connected in God's loving care and arms. Therese saw herself as "the Little Flower of Jesus" because she was just like the simple wild flowers in forests and fields, unnoticed by the greater population, yet growing and giving glory to God. Therese did not see herself as a brilliant rose or an elegant lily, by simply as a small wildflower. This is how she understood herself before the Lord - simple and hidden, but blooming where God had planted her. " - Text taken from the Society of the Little Flower The girls colored the Little Flower print out while I read them a short story of St. Therese from ou

Custodians of Beauty

Search This Blog