A Peter Rabbit Party

Well, we have had a jam-packed week around here. My parents drove up from Tennessee for the whole week and my brother, Graham, and sister-in-law, Sarah, flew in from California for a long weekend. We only see them once a year and we timed the party so they could be there, since they've never been to one of their nieces or nephew's birthdays. (Channing turns one on the 28th).
Before I back up and share some of the fun we had during the week with family, I'll go ahead and post all of the party pics. It started with some invitations and gift tags I found at a sidewalk sale at PB Kids this past summer. They were only $2 or so and I thought, "How cute. Wish I had a reason to use these. Oh yeah! Channing's birthday!" So that was how I landed on the theme. Judie and I had actually done a Peter Rabbit baby shower for my sis-in-law so it was easy to decorate for.

 A book and bowl set that belonged to the Colyer boys when they were babies:

Inside the birdcage was a postcard that Big John sent Judie when they were dating. I think that was my favorite little touch. It needs to be matted and framed in a nursery:

I used the gift tags as cupcake toppers. Carrot cake with buttercream:

I found these little wooden seed packets at Michael's and Judie helped me figure out what to use them for and she painted them for me:

The only purchased decorations on this table were the cupcake supplies and the seed packet banner. The rest was mine or Judie's (and the blue book on the right was one of Channing's presents):

An antique crate I've had for a while became the centerpiece with fresh vegetables. The trowel with pink paint belonged to Judie's father:

Judie found the watering can at Michael's and actually made the Peter Rabbit ears to peek out since we didn't have a stuffed bunny! I love the personal touches she does for me to make these parties turn out so cute:

I also made a banner for the fireplace with Channing's monthly photos from the year:

The napkin & silverware idea I got from Family Circle magazine (which my sister, Claire, put together for me! Bless her and her love for crafting):

We had two different pasta bakes (my mom made one and Judie made the other), bread, garden salad...

 ...and for the kids, veggie cups with dip and a bucket of dirt (chocolate pudding & cookie crumbs). It was a very easy but yummy meal.

This is the only pic we got with our birthday boy :(  Its easy to photograph all the decorations. Not so easy to get people together! It was quite a full house with about 25 in all. The closest we've ever come to having our entire family (both sides) together. We were just missing 2 uncles from Jon's side. I'm really sad we didn't at least get a shot of all the kiddos. But Dawson was having a very rough night on top of all the other chaos which kept us pretty distracted all evening.

My sweet baby boy was very happy all night with all his favorites under one roof!

I also didn't get a good picture of him in his sweet little Peter Rabbit sweater but he'll wear it for Easter too so we'll just get one then. Too much to think about!

 My sister, Claire, designed these goodie bags for me. They turned out really cute:

I got really lucky since Target has all of their Easter/spring stuff out now! It was perfect timing. A garden shovel, a carrot full of sugar, candy flowers, a "carrot" full of goldfish crackers and tied with green rick rack, a mushroom pencil sharpener/eraser and a little flower growing kit:

 The big kids did an Easter Peter Rabbit sticker craft and it was actually a big hit:

The ONE shot of Channing opening a gift (he actually only got a couple small presents since I just asked for money to decorate the boys' rooms): 

We took a video of the first couple minutes of him with his cupcake. He had absolutely no clue what to do with it. He'd touch it gingerly and pull his finger away. Then he'd lean over and touch his lips to it over and over like he was bobbing for apples. He stayed quite clean! Very true to character. He never did want to eat all the sweet icing but he got most of the cupcake down:

This party was a lot of fun and was I was the least stressed I'd ever been beforehand. I had so much help from my family, especially Claire and my two moms. Plus, my dad and Graham and Sarah took the big kids out on a walk that afternoon so they were out of our hair. 

Channing, my peaceful prince, I know you won't remember a thing about this day but I hope you look back at these photos and see the love that went into it! I won't forget your gentle face, taking it all in. Ivory skin, rosy cheeks and your brown hair swept to the side, always a smile to give, always a snuggle for your momma. I love you and God knew exactly what this family needed when He gave you to us! Happy almost birthday!

For more theme parties, see: Where the Wild Things Are, baby circus, dinosaur, ocean, King Kong. I did a farm party for Dawson's 2nd and never got it blogged :(  Maybe I'll post it someday just for fun.