Caleb's 1 Year Old Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party |

In just a week, our baby boy will be FOUR. I cannot believe it, really. I’ve been sentimental lately and thinking back to his first year. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that our 3rd (and maybe last) baby is quickly approaching his one year birthday. Or maybe, it’s just part of the bitter-sweetness of motherhood. Each milestone brings joy mixed with a little bit of sadness because your baby is growing up.

I’ve been meaning to publish this post for quite some time. It’s been sitting in my “drafts” for about 3 months, so as I prepare for his 4th birthday, I thought it would be a great time to finally hit that publish button.

Planning a first birthday party is no small feat. These days there is more pressure than ever to plan the “Pinterest perfect” party. Before Bryan and I had kids, we had discussed how we would try to keep parties low key (especially when they are little because they won’t remember anyways, right?), but after we had them, I just couldn’t help myself. It turns out, I love birthday parties, and it gives me so much joy to plan and prepare for our little ones. I did try to keep his first party semi-low key. (But, I think I went a little bit crazy for his brother’s).

One of Caleb’s favorite books his first year was the Very Hungry Caterpillar, and he was born into a family of teachers who love books, so I thought it would be perfect for our theme.

Our precious 1 year old! I made the banner with some cardstock from Hobby Lobby

Decorations:

12027234_10107156459843984_5460665916403790733_o — We used this as the highchair banner for his party

12015107_10107156459724224_6739560165362856679_o — His monthly pictures displayed on a big caterpillar

11703475_10107156460078514_1101425600492497624_o — pictures displayed on colorful caterpillar plates

12015225_10107156460193284_4282305932544558911_o — Tablecloth tassel garland (one of my FAVORITE and cheap party/birthday shower invitations)

See a video tutorial at the bottom of this post ——> click here

excuse the mess of toys (this was the night before the party), but you can see the banner I made on the computer hanging from the mantel

11947981_10107156459948774_2551936485371771750_o — tissue poms hanging from the light fixture, close up of the wreath below

This is the best picture I have of the wreath hanging on our backdoor- it was so much fun to make and still hangs inside his door almost 4 years later

12010503_10107156461665334_4061133192469653414_o — we had a book for guests to sign as they walked in

Themed Food!

12031494_10107156460452764_2327163383777113588_o — I made a make shift skirt for the table by using packing tape to tape dollar store table cloths, scrunching and taping as I went. I then covered the top (to hide the tape of course) with a white table cloth. I made the banner (I used SO much ink preparing for this party).

11999621_10107156460652364_7490428736415217933_o — I used a mini pyrex bowl to bake his smash cake and the head for the caterpillar cupcake. We had butterfly crackers, cocoons (pigs in a blanket), veggies (for the one green leaf he eats through)

We ordered this shirt off of easy, but sadly somehow we lost it (we are 99% certain B tossed it on accident) so I had to make him a new one (I printed it on iron on paper- so if you are ever in a bind, it can work) the day before his party

shortly after this picture, Bryan announced to everyone we were adding another baby BOY to our family in a little less than 6 months!

12000878_10107156462124414_3997967277204601937_o — these boys run around like crazy now when they are together!

12030528_10107156462279104_5251497790974253270_o — I had too much fun making that hat for him out of poster board, fabric glue, material, and a bow I found a the dollar store

11838803_10107156462743174_326461551325596154_o — I made the mistake of putting the cake in the fridge and the icing got set/kind of hard. Caleb wasn’t sure what to do with it, lol.

12010536_10107156464434784_6133375819723969893_o — He had an obsession with balls when he was younger – like crazy obsessed so this ball pit was the best thing ever!

12028657_10107156465782084_6818108160906277857_o — sweet Maw Maw, I can’t help but cry when I see this. I love you and miss you.

12028746_10107156466266114_9072095781143369794_o — He sure loves his Mimi (and looks like the biggest one year old ever in this picture due to the angle)

We made caterpillar balloons to hang on our trees

For his gift, we got him a ride on toy that he and his 2 year old brother still use pretty much every single day. With boys, I find it helpful to have some indoor toys that help get their energy out.

you can find yours here: Little People Fisher-Price Music Parade Ride-On, White *(affiliate link, which means a small percentage goes to me to help with the costs of this blog at no additional cost to you)*

our precious one year old. It is so hard to remember what life was like with just him

Praise the Lord for good gifts. We welcome David when C was 17.5 months, and then Ethan a little after he turned 3. So thankful this chair now holds 3 boys.

So happy party planning to you Mamas. It goes by so quickly. Enjoy each year God gives.

But also, know that there is freedom in being the Mom God made you to be. You do not have to take what someone else does and add it to your plate. I have been so guilty of that at certain times. It can be hard to discern what God is calling each of us individually to, and at times I try to carry too many things and He has to gently remind me I cannot carry all of them. I wasn’t meant to. With this day with social media, it can be so easy to compare the inside of our life to the outside of someone else’s, or we compare the areas we struggle with the ones where someone shines. Let’s try to encourage one another instead of compare, and let’s embrace the grace that God gives us through Jesus which means we do not have to DO to be approved by Him.

Little People Fisher-Price Music Parade Ride-On, White