04.17.11
For those who followed my Mama Never Said blog (and by the way, most of those posts are imported under the “life” section of Early Mama), I’ve been super excited to show you Noah’s recent two-year birthday party. Two years! Can you believe it?
Noah’s all-time favorite book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar, so we decided to use that as our theme. But in an attempt to veer away from a semi-cliché party theme, we focused on the bright Eric Carle colors and iconic dots found in the book. Take a look:
Our The Very Hungry Caterpillar party menu consisted of food from the book, complete with a handmade tag. We had deviled eggs on lettuce (“a little egg lay on a leaf”), a cheese platter with apples, pears and grapes (the Caterpillar ate through one apple, two pears and a slice of Swiss cheese), chocolate-covered strawberries (on Thursday he ate through four strawberries); and a big salad (because on Sunday he ate a nice green leaf and felt much better).
We also made ice-cream-cone-shaped Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches for the kids (because on Saturday, the Caterpillar ate through one ice cream cone). Unrelated to the book, we had chickpea salad and fresh mozzarella and tomato sandwiches.
For the tablescape, I filled tall vases with gum balls to replicate the colorful dots in the book. I also used a circular hole punch to make confetti.
And the menu was complete with this incredible A Very Hungry Caterpillar cake made by my sister.
To complete the dot-like decor, I handmade the banner, filled the ceiling with colorful balloons and draped garland around the room. The garland couldn’t have been easier to make: I simply cut circles out of tissue paper and my sister sewed them together with her sewing machine. (See the tutorial over at Prudent Baby.)
Our craft table was a hit!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar chair, which my sister painted by hand.
We had such a lovely day — especially Noah, who spent the party dancing, coloring and charming our guests. And now? Now I have a full-fledged toddler who loves telling everyone that he’s two! Yay, two!
7 Comments to Noah’s 2nd Birthday Party
Nikki Addimando
April 19, 2011 at 2:11 pm
This was the most beautiful party. What made it so special was creating and designing it all by hand together. It was meaningful for everyone involved, and so different from the traditional store bought products *WHICH* would have been more expensive! The decorations were authentic and personalized and actually very cheap. The garland across the ceiling?! It’s just tissue paper! Compare that to the short strand of garland you bought for $30!
Basically, this was a cost effective, wonderful idea for a theme birthday party from the heart. Thanks for posting this for everyone, I bet you inspired some people out there!
michellehorton
April 19, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Thanks Nik.
Couldn’t have done it without you.
Sandra
April 22, 2011 at 3:59 am
Such a cute birthday party theme! You did a great job
michellehorton
April 22, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Thank you!
The World of Eric Carle
June 15, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Such a fantastic Very Hungry Caterpillar party! Love the banners! We always highlight a Very Hungry Caterpillar party every month on our Facebook page, and we will be sure to include yours!
michellehorton
June 16, 2011 at 12:30 am
I would love that! Thanks!
Elissa
July 27, 2011 at 12:47 am
Michelle, Can I borrow your sister, please? Crafty, helpful, great baby sitter and photographer to boot! This girl sounds like the perfect sister/aunty/friend. You guys are lucky to have such a tight knit family.
The party looks great too!