Claire Bear: Claire's Very Hungry Caterpillar 1st Birthday Party!

Whew!! Who knew birthday parties were so much work! I am forever grateful to my mom for all of the wonderful birthday parties she threw for me as I was growing up. She didn't even have Pinterest then! She still managed to throw some amazing parties :) Thanks mom! I love you.

Claire's birthday party was inspired by Eric Carle's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It's a book we read regularly and love.

Since all of our family lives in Southern California we waited to have her big birthday party down there with them. Despite the heat it was a great turnout! We'll have to figure out something for her next party because outdoor birthday parties in July in Brawley just don't mix!

We held her party at my mom's house. It was primarily family and a few close family friends. Just perfect! My mom Adelina, stepdad Lupe and sisters Laura and Crystal helped me with the prepping, set up and decorating. My brother Ruben also helped out. He provided all of the yummy Mexican candies for the pinata, the churritos and duritos (no, not Doritos, duritos-these yummy wheat snacks you eat with chile and limon).

Here are the invitations to her party. I downloaded the template online. I wish I would have bookmarked where I found it so that I could pass on the credit but for the life of me I can't remember or find it. I downloaded the template onto Picasa, edited it to add Claire's party info and then print them out on cardstock. I then glued them onto red and green cardstock. I think they are so cute!!

With the help of my friend Anita W. We printed out a Happy Birthday sign using her Cricut. I also printed out her monthly pictures and used them to make the photo caterpillar. I love seeing how she has blossomed this past year. That's my dad Lupe there in the background :)

I wanted to try and incorporate all of the foods that the Very Hungry Caterpillar ate in the party. I think we did pretty well. We served hot dogs, pizza and Chinese chicken salad. Along with some fruit trays, cheese, salami and cracker trays and of course the desserts!

Due to the heat we left the cake pops and cupcakes inside the house. My sister Crystal helped make the balloon caterpillar. I made the chocolate cake pops and cherry cupcakes. Crystal made the caterpillar head cake.

My sister Crystal made a nice poster that we placed over one of the treat tables.

Some pictures of Claire.

She wore her custom made Very Hungry Caterpillar dress.

Our friend Anita W. made it especially for her. She looked adorable!!

My mom ordered this cool banner for Claire. It was hung on the garage door to welcome everyone to the party. Unfortunately no one took a picture of it hanging up. It's a good size banner. So cute!!