Zachary's First Birthday Party

Back in June, yes almost 3 months ago, we threw a little first birthday party for Zachary. It was Up! themed because it's pretty much the only time I will get to choose for him and I LOVE that movie. =) Plus I thought it would be appropriate with all of the balloons.

We had a lot going on the week of his party with a family member in the hospital and the death of part of our furry family so we deecided to move his party back a week last minute. You would think with the extra week that we would have been more prepared but we were up until 4am the night before painting the dollhouse, baking, etc. Ugh.. the dollhouse! I had a minor obsession with HAVING to have a dollhouse for the party to the point that when the one I ordered didn't come in time I drove 7 hours to Santa Rosa and back to buy one from a guy on Craigslist and stay up all night painting it to look like the Up! house.  I had this vision of making cake-pops to have as balloons on top of the house  (see above) and couldn't let it go. I realized about halfway through the drive how insane this was but I was already halfway to Crazytown and kept on the ride.

I printed and put together these cute 3D paper Russell and Carl from the Disney Family website. 

I had my mom make her amazing chocolate chip cookies with M&M's instead to keep with the colorful theme. Mmm..

I made some very NEON cupcakes that did not turn out very good. No matter how many times someone tells me not to try a recipe for the first time at an event I never listen. 

I took our mailbox and painted it white and we each put our handprints just like in the movie =)

We actually know an Ellie (a character in the movie) so when I saw her put her card in the mailbox I knew I had to get a picture. 

I created a little My Adventure Book to use as a guestbook by painting an old photo album I thrifted to look like the one in the movie. I put some of my favorite pictures from the year, some Wilderness Explorer badges and some blank space for notes from guests.

For party favors for the kids I made little Wilderness Explorer kits. On the back they say "A wilderness explorer is a friend to all, be it plant or fish or tiny mole".

Each of the kits had their very own Adventure Activity Book (printed from Family Disney and sewn to bind), a magnifying glass, a whistle, bubbles, and crayons to color their books.

This little 3D house was printed from the Family Disney website as well with little cupcakes as balloons. 

I found Zachary balloons at the party store and was pretty excited since, believe it or not, it's tough to find things with his name.

In his shades with Druncle Brian.

Having his first cupcake with Mama, Dadda, and Maman Sherry

He had the sweetest little birthday present helper, Cousin Ava. 

He had a blast running around. 

What's an Up! party without grape soda and a grape soda pin?

Avet really enjoyed the cookies! Love his style! 

Sherlock Avet using his magnifying glass. Love that boy!

With two of his favorite dudes Dadda and Pop-pop. 

All in all it was a pretty successful little party. We are so grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate our little man turning 1!