Little Monster Party

It honestly took me months to decide what a good theme would be for Ryker's party. Even once I did, I kept bouncing back and forth, trying to decide if it was "the one". I love party planning. It's my calling in life. too bad the market isn't better around our area and that's what I would make a career out of. I seriously enjoy the planning, the decor, picking out colors, and my favorite part - the outcome. 

Little Monster was the theme. I made invitations (I should get a picture and post it!) that read:

"A little cake, a lot of fun

our little monster is turning one!

Please join us in celebrating 

Ryker's first birthday."

The colors were red, blue, green, yellow and orange. And as expected, there were monsters everywhere! I posted directional signs that I hand-drew monsters on and pointed guests to the direction of our home. Once everyone got here, they were greeted with monster footprints leading up to the front door and a (poofy) friendly green monster welcomed them inside.

I wanted to keep the food simple, so I decided on a baked potato bar. We just threw potatoes out on the grill and have all the fixing in the house, served with a green salad. It was super simple and very low maintenance! To stick wight he monster theme, I had Angel Cakes of Pocatello make Ryker a small orange smash cake and then a matching green monster cake for the guests. If you haven't given her cakes a try - you must, they are solo good! She also made up monster cookies as well, and they were equally as delicious! I went a little overboard and made monster cupcakes too :) I was really wanted to make marshmallow pops and paint little monster faces on them, but I just ran out of time! 

Ryker's daddy handmade the big ONE for our front yard! It turned out so cute, all of our neighbors would drive by and point at it. For the other decorations, I just focused on Ryker. All of the pictures I've used for him month by month I printed and hung on the banister. I also printed out numerous "first" photos: bath, sippy cup, solid foods, etc and displayed those on poster board. I had a faux chalkboard printed up that had weight, height, # of teeth, first word, etc on it and on display with photos from birth to six months. 

I found a seller on Etsy who makes t-shirts or onesies with the child's name and then different themes, i.e dogs, elmo, monsters (!) so of course he had to have an outfit with a monster on it! The gal embroidered a "1" on it with his name below - it's so darling! I also decided I didn't want to ruin the shirt so I had a cash smash outfit made too! Haha.. I may have went overboard, oh well. Another gal from Etsy made Ryker a diaper cover and a matching tie. It was so adorable! He got plenty of "ohhs & awws" out of it!

I'm really pleased with the way everything turned out! I really love planning parties and I'm so glad I get to do what I love for this little guy of mine once a year!

We couldn't have asked for a better day for our son! He was spoiled rotten. We are so thankful for the friends and family that were able to join us and spend the day celebrating our little boy. It meant so much to Scott and I to have our family there. I know Ryk won't remember this per se, but he is most certainly not lacking in the love category!

I hope you all enjoy the pictures!

There are lots :)

This one says "You made it!" with a green, one-eyed monster.
The wind decided to pick up at the last minute!

Photo booth!

Mom, dad, Ryker, Great Grandma Honey, and Grandpa Mark
4 generations.

He loves this little rocking horse from the Nelson's!

My poor living room! This is what it looked like after the boy finished with presents!

A grow with my trike from Grammy Sandy

Ryker was way more interested in sharing his cake with mom and dad 

than he was in eating it himself!

Not to messy, not too messy at all

Kaden, Ryker, and Owen

This pretty much sums up the afternoon after the party!
He was so exhausted, once he settled down in daddy's lap it was lights out.. For both boys.