Circus monkey.

Since Calvin can't talk and doesn't yet watch tv, I decided to take advantage of what might be the only year I get to choose his birthday party theme. I'm sure from here on out it will be Elmo, Dora, Handy Manny, or some other television character who makes me want to stab myself in the eye, but we'll worry about that when the time comes. This year I got to pick. And I picked circus monkey.

Circus because Calvin's bedroom is loosely circus themed and I love it. And monkey because in my search for circus themed cupcake toppers, I came across The Purple Pug. This woman rocks my face off. Not only does she make incredibly adorable handmade party stuff (so I don't have to), she's super nice and let me place an order with her even though her shop was closed in April and May. And she has the most ridiculously cute circus monkey themed stuff I have ever seen.

So, I ordered a circus monkey centerpiece sign, cupcake toppers, and cupcake wrappers, and took it from there. I had such a fun time finding and putting things together for his party, though I think I showed great restraint...I had to keep reminding myself that Calvin had no idea what was going on. And that we were serving hot dogs. You don't go all out on decorations for a party where the main dish is essentially mystery meat in a tube.

To be honest, though — this party was for me, not him. The first birthday is a milestone for the parents, a sort of graduation from parenting boot camp. But Calvin seemed to enjoy himself plenty. And why not? The kid got a huge stack of gifts, an afternoon with all his friends and family, probably eight pieces of watermelon, and — finally — his first bite of cake.