Zoo Animal Themed Birthday Party

Since a lot of people have asked, I would like to share some of the crafts that I made and some of the vendors that I used for Ryan’s zoo animal themed first birthday party.

Animal Cookies (made by Melissa at TSCookies)

Banana Puff Cones for the babies (I made these)

Funfetti Cupcakes (I made these)
Toppers (designed by simplysweetpartyshop)

Cheese and Crackers Lion (I made this)

Party Snacks in Jars
"Gummy Monkeys" - Curious George Fruit Snacks 
"Bear Cubs"- Teddy Grahams
"Monkey Vines"- Twizzlers

Birthday Banner (I made this)

Birthday Hat (I made this)

Birthday Shirt (made by BKchicboutique)

                          Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

Party Favors:  Animal Crackers (picked up at the grocery store, I made the tags) and Zoo Animal Beach Balls (Oriental Trading)

Centerpiece: Flowers (a gift from my mom) and 
Mini Stuffed Animals (Oriental Trading)

Cards, Labels, and Barrel of Monkeys (I made these)

Tissue Paper Luminarias (my mom and I made these)

Drinks: Green Fruit Punch, Iced Tea, and Water

Posters on Easel: "Happy 1st Birthday"

"Newborn to 11 Months Pictures" (both posters made by me)

Lion Face Decoration (I made this)

I think that covers most of the party details.  We also gave out animal stickers and had The Jungle Book playing in the movie room.  The babies played with jumbo zoo animal figurines on a mat spread out on the floor.  We had the food catered, but I could have just as easily put it together myself if I hadn’t ran out of time.  (It was sandwiches, fruit, and hummus/pita bread).

I hope that you have enjoyed my ideas.  Please feel free to use them in planning your own zoo animal birthday parties.  We had a lot of fun with this theme!

Ryan's First Birthday Party

It felt great to have so many of our friends and family gather together last weekend for Ryan’s first birthday party.  We ended up entertaining around forty guests in our party room.  Everything went perfectly, except for the birthday boy crying when we sang happy birthday and brought him his cake (poor thing!)  I think that he was just intimidated by so many people looking at him at once.  I know that one day he will look back on the pictures and appreciate everyone showing him so much love and attention.

I am thankful to everyone for driving all the way here, walking forever from far away parking places, and for bringing Ryan such thoughtful gifts.   We actually got another toy organizer for him because all of his stuff would no longer fit in his football bin.  We enjoyed having everyone over to celebrate and I feel fortunate to have such a close-knit group of wonderful people supporting us.  Special thanks to E, K, and my mom for coming a few hours early to help me set up before the party!

Thanks again to all of our guests... we love you!  (And sorry to the people cut out of the picture. There just wasn't room for me to step back any farther!)

Birthday Zoo Trip

Yesterday we celebrated Ryan’s first birthday.  It has been one whole year since this tiny little being came into our lives.  I still remember the way it felt to hold him for the first time, and how delicate and fragile he was in my arms.  I remember having an overwhelming urge to protect this helpless newborn.  I just wanted to keep him as safe as he was in my tummy.  This little baby was too innocent for this world; an pure angel, sent to us from heaven.

In a year’s time, Ryan has had the opportunity to experience life and to begin finding his own place in it.  His personality has emerged as someone who is both fun-loving and sensitive at the same time.  We greatly enjoy Ryan’s sense of humor.  He laughs and giggles at different sounds, facial expressions, and anything out of the ordinary.  He already shows signs of being strong-willed and motivated, since he is determined to do things only on “his terms”.   I love that about him because it reminds me that he is his own little person with unique thoughts and feelings that are separate from my own. 

As Ryan’s mommy, I may not be able to protect him from everything forever, but I can help him to grow into the type of person who will approach life with enthusiasm, compassion, and humility.  I am already so proud of his every accomplishment.  I know that one day we will look back and wonder how we ever raised such an amazing individual. 

Ryan got to visit the zoo for the first time on his first birthday!  He loved to point and stare at some animals, but he didn’t even seem to notice that other animals were there.  I think that his favorite were the small monkeys.  Although we got to see most of the animals, I was disappointed that we didn’t see any giraffes or lions.  We plan to go back to the zoo another time (when it isn’t so hot) to hopefully see more animals.

When we got back home, grandma came over and we watched Ryan open his presents that were from mommy and daddy.  (He will be opening the rest of his presents at his party this weekend).  I showed Ryan how to rip off the wrapping paper, and he opened a couple of them himself.  Then, he got so excited about playing with his new toys that he wasn’t even interested in opening the rest.  I think that Ryan’s favorite gifts so far are his drum and a set of miniature golf clubs that daddy picked out.  Our little guy is certainly just like his daddy and I love them both so much!

I am spending the rest of today and tomorrow getting ready for Ryan’s birthday party on Saturday.  I have been planning the party for a while, and I am excited to see how it all turns out.  I will probably post about the party once the weekend is over and everything has calmed down.  For now, I will just give you a hint: the party theme will be Zoo Animals!