I spent so much time painstakingly cutting out paper triangles, sewing yards of banner and hunting down just exactly the right font for my invitations that I completely forgot about providing food for Evan’s circus birthday party until the last minute. All I had planned was cake and candy and – although those are two of MY favorite food groups – I don’t think most people consider Pixie Stix and fondant a balanced meal. Also, I thought maybe giving all the kids an option besides SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUUUUUUUGAAAAAAAAAAAAAR would be a wise choice. I’m all about the wise choices.

I tried to stick with my circus/carnival theme, which made munchy, snacky food a good option. Here’s what we ended up with:

Popcorn
Hot dogs
Soft pretzels
Cotton candy
Nachos
Animal crackers
Fruit
Salt water taffy
Rita’s Italian Ice
Cake
Jones Soda
Pink and Yellow Lemonade
…and a whole bunch of random candy I used as decoration rather than food.

Circus cake by Amanda, covered in homemade fondant, top layer is rice krispie treat, second layer vanilla, bottom is chocolate. Delicious AND gorgeous!

Dining room table buffet. The empty bowl is for the giant soft pretzels. Also missing: nacho dip.

My mom cut up GALLONS of fruit because she loves me and would like to let me keep all my fingers

$10 popcorn machine from Craigslist, boxes from party store online

Mini-cotton candy bags bought in bulk from BJ’s (Circus tray from Goodwill)

Hot dog trays from iParty, old-fashioned ketchup & mustard from grocery store

Jar from a flea market, animal crackers from Target, candy stand from TJMaxx, taffy from Christmas Tree Shops

The lemonade has lemons floating in it, the pink lemonade has pink ice cubes with cherries in them. Cups from Celebrate Express online, straws from grocery store, milkglass vase from flea market, drink pitches from Target.

Rita’s Ice! I got a 2.5 gallon party bucket, which was MORE than enough and they let me borrow a scoop and gave me free cups. Loooooove Rita’s!

Vanilla smash cake with buttercream frosting for Baby Evan – the pictures are FANTASTIC. It was a GREAT idea thought of and baked by Amanda. Cake stand is mine from a flea market.

Check out more party posts including circus party decorations and our circus party photo booth.

At 7:21 pm tonight, Baby Evan will be 1 whole year old.

Most of my birthday posts have been filled with disbelief that the months since Baby Evan was born have passed so quickly. Oh my God, look how fast he’s growing. Holy cow, he can roll over/crawl/walk. Gee, we better hurry up and babyproof. Blah, blah blah blah yakety yak yak. It’s like the mantra of experienced parents everywhere: enjoy every moment because they grow up so fast.

But looking back, every second of the last year has been a million times longer than any previous second in any previous year. Time hasn’t flown, it’s stretched and stretched like a huge piece of taffy or the world’s longest Slinky. There have been a billion trillion zillion magical moments and another million terrible ones – sometimes all in just one day. My life is fuller, richer, busier, happier and just life-ier than ever before thanks to one tiny little 7 pound 12 oz miracle. Who’s now a 23 pound red-headed terror. But the cutest, sweetest, loviest little terror ever to run rampant through a sleepy Connecticut town. I thank God every day that I get to be his mother and pray I get to enjoy another long, busy, exciting, sleepless year starting tomorrow. Plus a 100 more after that.

12 Month Milestones from Baby Center

Mastered Skills (most kids can do)
• Imitates others’ activities – He’s gotten really good at imitating. He can clap, give kisses, put things in, take things out and a few more.
• Indicates wants with gestures – Still not very good at pointing with a finger but reaches and definitely indicates wants.

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)
• Takes a few steps – RUNS.
• Says one word besides “mama” and “dada” – He only started saying “mama” yesterday with any meaning attached. But he DEFINITELY knows “mama” now and we’re working on “dada”. If we count “ba” as “ball” then sure, one other word.

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
• Walks alone – RUNS. Although we’re still working on walking without falling and giving himself brain damage more than once or twice a day.
• Scribbles with a crayon – Who gives a 1-year old a crayon? I don’t have enough time to scrub my walls AND call poison control to find out how much wax a kid can safely eat.
• Says two words besides “mama” and “dada” – Well, if we could “ba” and “ball” and “balloon” then SURE. But not really.

Good morning Mama!! I have new teeth today!

Running towards Daddy (my hero)

Take my picture!

Ok, all done!