His 1st Birthday

We took him to the zoo (pics to come later), then we got him a dark chocolate cupcake from the finest cupcakery in the world, which he clearly devoured, he got to open his presents, and later in the week he had a party. Do you like my cupcake stand?

I made his "Happy Birthday" banner in coordinating Sesame Street colors. 

First I cut out 4" circles from construction paper using this tool from Martha.

Then I used white acrylic paint to freehand the letters, applied double stick tape to the backs and hung them in the dining room.

They went with the theme and didn't even cost a penny.

I made Cookie Monster cupcakes too. You can make them also:

Bake cupcakes.

Color the icing royal blue, apply.

Color shredded coconut royal blue. (I used a teaspoon of water to dillute the dye for this part.)

Dip cupcake in blue shredded coconut.

Cut a slit in the "muffin top"and insert pre-baked chocolate chip cookie (I applied a bit of icing to the bottom of the cookie so that it wouldn't fall out of the cupcake.)

Paint black circles using cookie icing onto white candy melts.

Apply a dab of leftover cake icing to edge of eyeball for support, then put in place.

Remember Cookie Monster's eyes are allover the place so don't make the eyes too perfect!

Part of the menu included a variety of sandwiches I made with my cool new sandwich press/sealer from William Sonoma.

Vanilla Italian soda in mason jars with punched lids.

B had juice.

And I even hand painted the goody bags because he's worth it.

Happy Birthday to the silliest most cutest boy I know. I love you B.