One
It all started with a three-pack of plastic fish with holes in their mouths for squirting during bathtime. My mom sent them, said they were made in China, probably toxic, and they thenceforth became Wombat's favorite thing to carry around.
Of course, we couldn't find any of them the day of his fish-themed first birthday party, but nevermind because apparently I've been collecting fish for years without even knowing it.
Two of three wooden napkin rings I found at an antique store for $5 about six or seven years ago.
Foreground: Bowls I got in Chinatown around the same time. Background: A beaded fish-shaped votive from Pier One about five years ago.
Goldfish crackers served in fish-shaped plates my mom bought me when I moved away from home.
Among the new additions, a zebra fish my mom created out of a paper lantern, pot holders, construction paper, and drink umbrellas...
...and old spaghetti jars with hand-colored clipart taped to the back and filled with blue water (food coloring). I lined them up over the fireplace to create a makeshift aquarium.
There were fish everywhere--a fishtravaganza, a fishsplosion, fishapalooza--and we filled in the gaps with seashells and inflatable mermaids and crepe paper strung like waves.
The baby who never points at anything pointed at everything.
We ate fish sticks and shrimp cocktail and gummi sharks (formerly circling the giant chocolate cake), but I'm proudest of the last-minute sushi, which I found myself rolling and cutting and arranging on platters late the night before the party (with the help of my parents while sick Simon slept), even though I swore up and down and around that I wasn't going to let myself get involved with the food AT ALL because it makes me insane.
They're Rice Krispy treats filled with gummi worms and lined with fruit roll-ups. (I found instructions here.)
They were really REALLY sweet--too sweet even for me--and I thought they would mostly serve as decoration, or maybe a few brave souls would try one a piece, but by the end of the party there were only a handful left out of the jillion one batch produced.
Best of all, the kid got it...
...which immediately shot down any second thoughts I had about saving the cutesy kid-themed parties for when he actually understands what's going on.
He understands what's going on now. He's no fool.
[A few more photos here.]
You really outdid yourself. Best one-year-old birthday party I've ever attended, fo sho! =)
I LOVE the sushi! I'm envisioning sour patch kids with... hmm... I don't do sweet very well either...
Yay! Looks like an awesome Fishy party!! Happy 1st birthday to the Wombat!
Yay for the smashing success of the fish party! Although your confirmation that the boy understood what was going on has destroyed my excuse for not going all out when Sadie turns one. DAMN YOU! Now I'm already nervous about creating a spectacular party and it's still 4 months away.
Happy Belated Birthday, Wombat! You've grown up so fast and accomplished so much in one year. I can't wait to see what you do next. I loved seeing all the photos and creativity in this post. I have to try making candy sushi sometime.
I was super impressed with all your decorations! What fun! Thanks for including us.
I still can't believe that he's one!
You throw one heck of a party, Momma.
This is amazing! Holy cow! Hot damn!
(Nora Lea has those same squirty fish and carries hers around for fun as well. She also chews on them in the tub. Viva toxicity!)
That zebra puffer fish blew my mind. So did the rice krispy treat sushi. Which either means my mind is easily blown or the party was amazing. I suspect the latter.
LOVE the sushi! Great decorations.
Happy first birthday, Wombat, you cutie!
So awesome. Also, I love that you made the eye shirt. Did you see that on Martha Stewart, I did too!! And furthermore, my kids also love to chew on those fish and have not yet had any negative side effects (other than being crazy and two)??
Happy Birthday, buddy!!
Looks fantastic! Those fruit roll up sushi bits are FREAKING ADORABLE!
What a wonderful party theme. I love it. Great photos too.
I'm happy to see you tried out the candy sushi. They are sweet, but the kids seem to like them. I ate so much of the RK treats making them, I don't think I ever did eat the finished product.
Happy Birthday to your little man.
Wow! The party looks awesome! What a great job. Happy Birthday Wombat!!
Just a total bummer we couldn't make it but I'm so, so, so floored by your awesomeness. If only you lived across the street and could pull together something so fabulous for Kyle. He's very into cell phones and balls and the remote and food, which so far presents itself as a rather challenging birthday theme.
I guess this means that he did not receive the memo about how he's supposed to stay tiny forever?
Happy birthday, Wombat!!!
I am super impressed. It looks like an amazing party, and hello -- candy sushi? Count me in!
Happy birthday, Wombat! I can hardly believe he's already ONE.
How did you make the fish lantern. Do you have pattern? Trying to throw a tasteful fish baby shower and cannot find fish lanterns. Can you share?
This was awesome