Happy 1 sweet boy!!!!! This past year has been a big year of transition for us big guy but you have forced us to grow together, built up our patience and multiplied the love Daddy and I are able to give by at least 10!
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We celebrated your birthday four days ago on the weekend with a theme of ‘A Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and it was so fun! I was searching on Etsy for a cute birthday shirt and randomly came across Eric Carl’s Hungry Caterpillar and knew I had to do it. The theme was too perfect for you as you are a hungry little William and eat just about anything and everything in sight.
The party was held on the Sunday before your actual birthday (it fell on a Thursday this year) from 11-2, right in between your two naps. All four of your Grandparents came and also were joined by Great-Grandma T and Great Grandma and Grandpa Sampson, your Aunts and Uncles: Joe, Sheila, Dustin, Greg, Teresa, Beca, Travis and Raelynn and your cousins Ashley and Coco.
For decorations, I didn’t go too crazy. We had light and dark green balloons going up and down the stairs mimicking the way a caterpillar moves with a red balloon at the foot of the staircase. I made a Happy Birthday William sign, hung some streamers and made a caterpillar birthday collage with a photo of you from each month over the past year.
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I also had the book on display next to all of the food the caterpillar eats in the book. I was able to find everything but a plum and an ice cream cone (as that would melt) but had: Apples, pears, strawberries, oranges, chocolate cake, pickles, swiss cheese, salami, lollipops, cherry pie, sausage, cupcake and a slice of watermelon.
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I also found a cute post on pinterest that had created a caterpillar out of cupcakes and a cake, which I attempted to replicate. I would give myself a B on it–could have been better but could have also been much worse.
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I also decorated your smash cake but decorating it with a little caterpillar, sun and some grass.
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Overall the day was so fun and it was so fun celebrating you sweet guy. Although you have had cake and frosting many many times before, you were pretty tired and didn’t get into the whole ‘smashing’ the cake thing. We took a picture of mama and dada with you and the cake right before we sang and as I put the cake back on the table to put the candle in you about lost your mind that I was taking it away from you.
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However, when I put it in front of you to eat, you very delicately took off little pieces of frosting. Eventually, I cut the cake up to let you know it was in there and you stuck your fingers in a little, but for the most part, just had a few pieces of frosting and then were done.
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For your actual birthday, I went to Cub before you woke up and got you a donut for breakfast before school and then had a fun little celebration at home after dinner with some ice cream and sprinkles.
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William, you are such a sweet little boy and love to give hugs and snuggles to anyone that will take them. You love to laugh, make your sister laugh and have the most magical smile with eyes that twinkle and get to people hearts. There isn’t anyone that doesn’t love you and comment on what a great smile you have and how it rarely disappears from your face. I love you more than words could ever express and am so greatfull to be your mom.
Happy 1 William and can’t wait to see all the fun we’ll have in the next year.
Love,
Mama
Peanut Smiles 