Eric's First Birthday Party

Eric's birthday party was on Saturday. Fortunately, the weather was decent so there were no travel concerns for out-of-towners coming to the party. I tried to keep the party simple and just focus on the real star - Eric! Here are a few glimpses of the decor for the day.

I sorted M&Ms by color in these little tins, then glued pictures of Eric to wooden craft sticks. Perfect centerpieces.

I took the letters that hang on the nursery door and hung them in the bay window (I also did this with E-D-I-E for Edith's first birthday)

I found this very cool streamer tutorial from Jordan's blog. It was so easy! (PS - A changing table is a great poor man's bar, just give it a good washing first!)

We use Dave's old Underwood for the Silly Goose Farm guestbook. Our friends and family left little notes and pieces of advice for Eric on his first birthday.

I made Play-Doh for party favors (this is what remains). Much better than the plastic trinket-y stuff kids usually get at parties (in my opinion, but I might be biased).

The menu for the party included ham and cheese and Italian mix handpies, veggie pinwheels, pasta salad, chocolate-chip cookies, sparkling lemonade punch, and of course, cake and ice cream.

I figured since Eric was born on April Fool's Day, he needed a joke cake! His birthday cake was made to look like a cheeseburger. It was just two layers of yellow cake for the "bun," chocolate ice cream for the "burger," yellow fondant for the "cheese," and shredded coconut dyed green for the "lettuce." I could have made this look a little better, but I was pressed for time and really wanted to enjoy the party with my baby. Worried I wouldn't have enough cake, I made vanilla-fudge marbled cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. Edith blew out the candle for her brother, it was cute! It was kind of like she was telling him, "don't worry, kid, I've got you covered." Since I didn't want to be scooping out tons of ice cream at the party, I pre-scooped the ice cream the night before into cupcake liners, placed them in a baking dish, covered them with plastic wrap, and placed them back in the freezer. I'm pretty proud of myself for thinking of that one :-)

Eric was too tired to open presents, so we had to do it the next day.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves at Eric's party (especially Eric - he loves to play the "pass the baby" game!). He is such a happy little boy and I can't wait to celebrate more birthday with him. I love you to the moon and stars and all the way back, you little bugger!

P.S. - If you have any questions about recipes or anything else, please feel free to email me at deanna.n.fox (at) gmail (dot) com.

Eric's First Birthday

Eric turned one on April Fool's Day. Yup, he's a little April Fool (learn how he tricked us and came into the world here). While it was a low-key (and rainy) day, we tried to still provide a little fun for our little bugger.

The first part of the day was spent opening presents. Eric received a fun new truck and construction vehicle, lots of books, and plenty of clothes. Edie helped a little (and yes, my kids usually are dressed).

We then went to the cafe where Dave and I met. It's become a tradition to take the kids there for a birthday lunch. Eric had a waffle (but also tried out Dave's clam roll and some of my french fries). We celebrated with chocolate cake and ice cream. Many people came to wish Eric a happy birthday, and one gentleman came up to our table and said he wished his grandchildren were as well behaved as our kids (this happens rarely!).

What better time to get a first haircut then on one's first birthday?! Eric was looking pretty shaggy, and Edie was also in need of a trim, so we took them to the salon after lunch.



I really would have liked to take Eric to a barbershop, but I don't know of any reputable establishments here in Albany. Besides, I think he likes the salon better, because he really likes pretty girl and loves to let them hold him. He was in little baby boy heaven, and all the stylists were cooing over him. Both kids were so well behaved having their hair cut - I was impressed! For anyone in the area who needs a kids' cut, go to Lucy at Jean Paul in Stuyvesant Plaza.

We stopped off for a few more errands on the way home. By the time we got back to the farm, both kids were wiped out and pretty much went straight up to bed. Dave and I spent the rest of the evening getting ready for Eric's big first birthday party the next day. All in all, it was a really nice day and a great way to celebrate little Eric! I wish every day could be so perfect.