Charlie's Birthday Party!

Sunday afternoon, January 22, we had a wonderful time celebrating Charlie's "turning one" milestone.

When he was about 2 months old, we found Very Hungry Caterpillar plates, napkins, and invitations on clearance at Target that we excitedly bought for his first birthday (that would be ten months later...)!

His birthday party afternoon was very special to us, and most importantly, Charlie seemed to have a great time.

Here are some pictures we took before everyone started arriving:
The food table

A close-up of his cake!

The basket of party favors (little bags of gummy worms and gum drops) and the Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Byrds, pre-party!

The party was from 1:30-3:30 PM, and we just visited while everyone was arriving. The kids had a good time playing together.

Charlie trying to hug Ashlyn

Our cute little neighbor Breckon!

Dad and Breckon- looks like serious laptop business!

Uncle D and Charlie

Then it was....

Cupcake time!!

I think he liked the cupcake!

Our neighbor Kian enjoying his cupcake too! He will be turning one very soon!

Ashlyn (she picked a good spot to eat- right beside the cheese doodles!)

Stephanie and Anna Kate (we were sad that Abby and Larry didn't get to come!)

Mandie and Jason

Mom and Dad

After everyone ate Charlie got to open his presents:

Here he is holding some finger paint that he can use when he is a little older! This goodie bag from the Lyons came with playdoh, a coloring book, crayons, and some books. I can't wait to do art projects with him later on this year!

A new tractor from Jeni!

A cute little puppy and Bible Promises from the Porters!

Bryson picked out this basketball for Charlie all by himself! We were also sad he and Zane couldn't come.

A cute shirt and Baby Colors from Granana and Granddaddy

Here I'm holding a really cool set of Baby Einstein CDs the Joneses gave Charlie! He has had fun dancing and clapping to them!

A set of musical instruments from Uncle D!

The kids decided to pass out the musical instruments among themselves (and eventually they involved the adults too) and made a great Birthday Band!! See for yourself:

Charlie is mostly watching in this video, but he had a great time trying to hit the xylophone and waving the mallet all around!

Daddy showing Charlie what to do with the xylophone

After a while eeeeveryone had something that would make noise! (Since most kids' toys make some kind of noise...) It was loud but the kiddos had fun! It was a great way to wrap up Charlie's first birthday party!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar became the Very Little Caterpillar by the end of the party...

Charlie with Granana and Granddaddy- as you can see, he would not give up his xylophone mallet!

With Uncle D
We were excited for Daniel that he had a cheat day and got to eat a cupcake, green icing and all! Even better, there was no reaction to it! Woohoo!

The Byrds, post-party. Worn out but happy!
Happy 1st Birthday, Charlie!