Sock Monkeys Everywhere

As some of you know, I am an only child. I have 2 half brothers, but they are much younger and we didn't grow up together. As soon as I found out I was expecting Baby C, everyone started telling me stories of how they did so much more with their first than their second. maybe it was the selfish only child gene in me, but I swore to myself I would do the same things for Baby C that I did for Mini K: birthday parties included. As with every party, I had to pick the theme and looking at this cute little monkey every morning I knew right away. Sock Monkeys!

I did Mini K's 1st birthday at our house, so Baby C's would be here too! I should say the ONLY 2 birthday parties that will be at our house!

One of the great things about PGG is I get to look at great invites all year so I chose one of our designers to do the invite...with his monogram of course.

For wording:

Swing on by and have some fun, our little monkey is turning 1!

I found some amazing women on etsy to do his outfit and hat, the sock monkey cookies, the highchair banner and door sign and candy bar and buffet printables.

I LOVE how his outfit and hat turned out and am so happy I ended up doing a banner for his highchair.

Kristy Stone of Tastefully Treated did both of his cakes and everyone raved about them. She did both his smash cake and the big kid cake as Mini K called it. If you are in the D.C. area she is well worth the drive and a gem to work with!

We had a candy buffet of red and brown candy with coordinating ribbon and cards. There have been a bunch of discussion on twitter lately about ordering bulk candy. I ordered ours from Candy Favorites for 1 reason: FREE SHIPPING. I feel like most websites have the same prices for candy, but shipping can be anywhere from $9.95 to $40+ so when I save FREE I was sold. I did pay the $5 rush free so my order would s

hip within 24 hours.

I purchased red and white sand pails at the craft store and personalized them with stickers that said Go Bananas for the kids to use for our water logged egg hunt and had small stuffed sock monkeys for the little ones who were not big enough, or fast enough to hunt.

Since our party was at 11am I did a more brunch menu: bloody mary's for the adults, lemonade, iced tea and water bottles as well as monkey bread, sausage balls, Chick Fil A nuggets, spinach dip and baked brie. Nothing fancy, just comfort food.

The best part was the cleaning crew arrived that afternoon....you see you learn some things with number 2!

Tomorrow Baby C is officially 1 and I have to go finish his birthday letter. My mother gave me my birthday letters when I was pregnant with Mini K. I knew as I read each one I would continue this tradition. We were a family of 3 for almost 5 years before he was born, yet in some ways it seems like he has been with us for longer than a year.

Sleep tight my sweet boy, your birthday cupcake awaits, and we know you LOVE cake!