The One with Fox's 1st Halloween Birthday Party!


Sunday, October 16, 2011

The last two days have been a whirlwind of fun, food, friends, and mostly, FOX. It's on my 27 before 27 bucket list at #14 to throw Fox the most amazing Halloween-themed first birthday! I am delighted to check that one off the list :) Really though, Halloween has always been my favorite holiday so now that I have an October baby I have even more of an excuse to get excited and make a big ordeal out of it.

Friday the 14th was Fox's actual birthday so once Chris got home from school we had an official celebration. He opened presents from family sent with love. It's so fun to have a new family member to live vicariously through!
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His reactions are truly genuine! Pure happiness!
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My mom made him this cute, adorable, awesome, amazing, stellar, bewitching Halloween quilt! I'm pretty sure it's MY quilt now :)
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He loves it!
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A view of the whole shabang.
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After Fox went to sleep for the night Chris and I stayed up late in the kitchen baking up a storm. We made our own chips by cutting Halloween shapes out of various kinds of tortillas using cookie cutters.PhotobucketThen we sprayed a cookie sheet with PAM, set the shapes in a single layer, sprayed them with PAM, salted them a bit, then baked them at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes per sheet.
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Voila!
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Saturday morning, party day, we woke up bright and early at 5:30am to start decorating. First step: take apart our bed to use the wrought iron frame as the centerpiece of the photobooth. We took Joey to doggy daycare and picked up a babysitter to watch Fox while we ran around like chickens with their heads cut off (ew). And did I mention it was like 90 billion degrees outside? I'm pretty sure I sweated my weight off by the end of the day. But, check it out, I think we transformed our patch of grass into exactly what I've been picturing in my mind's eye all along:
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We draped the bushes aligning the two sides of the patch of grass with cheesecloth, the spooky drapes I made and held on to from last year, as well as felt Halloween shapes (like bats, cats a witch, crows, fences, and rats) I cut out many years ago and set up every October 1st. The tombstones I made were placed around the yard. Balloons in many colors along with pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and varieties were the perfect finishing touch.

The food tables.
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Black plates, clear cutlery, gray napkins, pumpkin bread, carrots and dip, the tortilla chips, brownies, pumpkin pie, and the drawing Chris's high school art teacher gave us as a wedding present.
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A closer look of the chips. I love them! And they tasted really good!
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The drawing | The spider and ghost pops arranged on a plate stand.
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Oranges, spider web eggs, the pops, candy corn pizza, and more.
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These spider web eggs were really easy to make! Bring eggs and 2 cups of blueberries to a boil, remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes, take the eggs out one by one and crack them with a spoon, put them in a bowl, pour the berries and water back over the eggs, and place them in the fridge until they cool. The eggs don't even taste like blueberries and what's left is a really cool spider web design imprinted on the layer just under the egg shell.
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Failed attempt at a candy corn looking pizza. Still tasted good - how could it not with like five pounds of cheese?
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Carmel chocolate covered pretzels (thanks for the recipe Alisha!), a ginormous chocolate birthday cake, chocolate cupcakes topped with roaches, decorated sugar cookies (thank you SOOOO much Melissa!), and Halloween Oreos.
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A close up of the cute (and delicious!) sugar cookies.
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The centerpiece. I found the vase on clearance at Target, walked around the neighborhood after a storm and picked up sticks, filled the vase with excess paper that's come in the mail, arranged the sticks, topped it off with moss leftover from the fake finger invitations, added some spider webbing for an eerie effect, then wrapped a burlap in a bow around the middle.
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My favorite part - the candy bar!! goblin booty = assorted chocolate candies | wolves nails = candy corn | eye of dog = gumballs that look like eyes | rat droppings = peanut butter taffy | mummy's teeth = mints | frog tongue = peach rings | road kill skewers = assorted candies pierced onto bamboo skewers and arranged into black and orange sixlets | witch's fingers = black licorice
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Water bottles wrapped with burlap, lace, cheesecloth, and/or muslin and Witch's Brew aka limeade.
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Orange Crush and mini Coke bottles in an ice filled tub and decorative tombstones and pumpkins.
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The Witch's Brew and cockroach cupcakes.
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At the other table was the kid activities - namely sugar cookie decorating and drawing on mini pumpkins with colored permanent markers. In the middle was a set of mini apothecary jars filled with bits and baubles of nature.
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At the end was a "guess how many pieces of candy are in this jar and whoever is closes wins" game. There were 228 pieces (plus or minus a few cuz guests and kidlets kept eating candy out of it, lol). Brian Miller guessed 222, but he was gone by the time I chose a winner, so the next closest was Dan Snow with 217. Good job guys!
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This is the photobooth. Our bedframe embellished with a garland and lots of balloons, tombstones, pumpkins, felt shapes, a burlap dropcloth, and a pile of props.
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Bob for apples. Self explanatory. Oh, funny/sad story, once upon a time there were 6 balloons wrapped around that mini pumpkin, but the wind eventually unraveled the strings and they went bye bye. Lesson learned - always tie the balloons in place!
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Once everything was set up I took pictures then looked at my phone clock - 1:58pm - the party began at 2pm. Is that good timing or what?
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The welcomed guests! (If you want your individual picture - you know how to reach me!) So sorry if I didn't get a chance to take your picture!
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This picture makes me smile. The kids were actually into it! Hooray!
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Pinata time!
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Eventually it just fell off without bursting so we had to improvise and throw it in the air to knock all the candy out. The little 'uns went to town!
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We gave Fox a piece to gnaw on.
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Then it was time to sing to the birthday boy!
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We gave him a piece all of his own to try. He picked at it for a bit.
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Then he just made a mess of it all over himself.
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Future bf/gf???
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Fox has been skimping on his naps like what lately. So of course, right smack dab in the middle of his party is when he'd had enough and finally went down for a nap.

The highlight of the party was the bob for apples bin. Note to self: Next time I have a party with lots of kids 3 and under, simply fill up tubs with water and let them have at it!
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Isn't he the cutest? I love Owen's costume!
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At the end we put the three babies closest in age together for a pic - Beck (10 months), Fox (12 months), and Maya (11 months).
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Cutie patooties!
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Happy one year of being parents to us!
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And happy first birthday Mr. Fox!
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Not gonna lie, I'm so glad the party's over! It was everything I dreamed of and more! It was a whole lotta work, and Fox won't even remember it, but I will, and he'll see it through his scrapbook :)

63 comments

  1. This is what being a mom is all about! - - awesome, awesome. Uh, the cockroach cupcakes are so gross though :) How do you top this next year?
    And that quilt your mom made is fantastic. Oh man that is gorgeous!

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  2. BEST 1st birthday Halloween party EVER!!!

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  3. You totally need to be a party planner!

    Just awesome! Everything looks awesome!

    Congrats...job well done!

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  4. What Heather said! And when you are recovered, I would love the cute photo you took of us!

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  5. What a great party!!! Fox looks like he enjoyed all the attention. I'm so glad you like the quilt!

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  6. Wow what an awesome party!!!! Everything looks wonderful. Great job mom and dad!!!!

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  7. How long did that take you!? I'm very impressed.

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  8. I looooove that quilt your mom made. How beautiful!

    Also...happy 1st birthday Fox!!

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  9. Wow.... I want a party like that!!! You are an awesome mom!!! I'm so impressed! Fox may not remember it, but I am sure your scrapbook about it is going to rock and he will want another one later in life!!

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  10. OH MY GOSH! What an amazing spread you did! You are so talented and I wish you were my mom!!! ;)

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  11. Man that party was A LOT of work! Good thing our little boy is worth it!

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  12. You are amazing!! Will you plan Alex's first Birthday with me:)

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  13. Seriously...absolutely amazing Paige! Looks like it was a ton of fun!

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  14. oh my goodness paige! You out did yourself! Everything looks amazing! I too LOVE halloween and have always wanted to have a grand halloween party so I told Ry for my 30th I had better have a rockin halloween party! LOVE everything! happy birthday cute boy!

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  15. wow paige. youre the best mom! That set up is CRAZY cool and that party looked so fun! Wish i was there!

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  16. WOW what an amazing party!!!!!! love it! Happy bday to fox!!

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  17. Everything about that party looks AMAZING! Good job guys! :))

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  18. Wow! How creative! Looks so awesome....pheww bet you're glad it's done!

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  19. What an awesome party!!! You guys did a great job! Makes me want to throw a Halloween party next year!

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  20. OH, Paige!! You and Chris did a fabulous job on Fox's bday party! I just LOOOOOOOOVE all the decorations and the games....LOVE the pics of your party guest.....love love love that quilt--WOW! Your mom is super talented! Hugs to her! LOVE love love all the candies and foods...OH MY! Those eggs--SOOOOOO interesting! Super clever! OH! Fabulous job!! Happy birthday to FOX!!!

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  21. adorable. seriously amazing. you are such a killer mom!

    will you be my friend? miss your guts.

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  22. Paige, it was awesome! I am pretty sure that was the coolest kid party I will ever go to, thanks for all the fun!

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  23. LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Did you know that Thomas was BORN on Halloween and has some crazy genetic eye thing which makes him have cat eyes?? Anyways, we too love a Halloween Birthday party and now I have some smokin' ideas for the future. You did a great job!

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  24. super fun! everything turned out perfect! and if you get a chance i would love the pic of our little cuties together.

    this is gonna be a hard one to follow. Glad im not next. good luck Lindsay. =]

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  25. Wow!! This has gotta be the best first birthday I've ever seen! I'm in love! So amazing. Love it!

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  26. Wow! That is one incredible party. Evelynd is never allowed to see this because I highly doubt her 1st birthday party will look like this one. P.S. You should have really highlighted his new plate, utensils, and placemat. That looked like an extra awesome present from the pictures!

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  27. That was AMAZING!! I want you to plan my next birthday!! ha ha

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  28. what a fantabulous job you've done! fox has great parents to throw such a fun party!

    that is a beautiful quilt your mom made for fox!

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  29. Wow, what an amazing party! Love all of your attention to detail. The food, crafts and photo booth look awesome!

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  30. Wow Paige, that's quite the party, looks fabulous! Happy birthday Fox! My son turns 14 on Halloween, sadly he's done with the theme parties, I am lucky if I can sneak in a halloween plate and cup!

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  31. WOW!!! What an AMAZING party!
    I'm dying over how wonderful it is. You're such a FANTASTIC mom. Fox is ONE Lucky little guy!

    Your moms quilt...whoa. I LOVE IT! I am wishing it was MINE. ;D

    Happy First Birthday Fox!

    and I agree...you should TOTALLY be a party planner.

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  32. what? all of this is so ridiculously amazing! definitely the best birthday ever for sure!! and these pictures are all just so precious!

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  33. Holy cow...what a fun party! Fox is so lucky to have so many people that love him :)

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  34. wow! all the decor, food, & setup looks amazing! great job & great pictures for y'all to look back on :)

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  35. Looks amazing! You did such an awesome job! I wish I could have been there. :-) I'm sure he'll love looking back at these photos!

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  36. Holy smokes, girl! You truly outdid yourself! What an amazing party, and one you'll NEVER soon forget! Hugs! And happy 1st birthday, Fox, cutie patootie!

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  37. That quilt your mom made is fantastic, so glad everyone had an awesome time! Great pictures,:)

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  38. what a fantastic party. I am a October baby too (the 24th) and as a kid I had some pretty awesome Halloween parties that were always the talk of the town!

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  39. Wow! How incredible...love it all! simply the best party ever! And the quilt is amazing!

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  40. Wow, I love all your ideas! Looks like it was a great party!

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  41. HOLY COW PAIGE!!! you did such an amazing job! I am blown away! You're such a great mom:)

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  42. Wow, Paige! What an amazing job you did! I can only imagine the hours and hours of work that went into this. I love all of your details and can't wait to try some of them.
    The quilt your mom made is gorgeous. I see the crafty talent runs in your family!

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  43. Wow! Way to go! That looks awesome.

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  44. Wow... what a great 1st birthday you gave your little man!! LOVE it!! I love Halloween too! I think it may be my fav holiday!! I love the quilt your mom made... I want one! :) Fox is so stinkin cute. It has been so great to watch him grow into a one year old this year! Happy Late Bday from Kelley! "_

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  45. You are amazing! What a lucky boy Fox is. You make my creative juices flow.

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  46. What a super fun party! I have a Halloween baby too! Now that he's older he gets to choose his parties but was talking about a Halloween party for next year so I'll definitely be bookmarking this.

    LOVE all the detail you put into this.

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  47. Oh my goodness!! AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!! What a wonderful party!!!

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  48. such a fun party! you're incredible paige! you too chris!!

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  49. How I wish I could have been there! It looks like it was a blast! Love, Nana

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  50. wow Paige! That party looked AMAZING!!! I hearf it was lots of fun too!! :) Happy Birthday Fox!

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  51. First, I think the fingers in the coffins are great.(I plan on making some. Since I don't have little kids anymore I'm gonna add blood.) Second, I like the gravestones-if I didn't hate styrofoam so much I'd make some of those too. Third, who could not like that amazing drawing on display? Seriously, thanks. :))

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  52. Such an amazing party! You may need to go into professional party-planning now!

    I'm so happy that you all enjoyed it so much... what fabulous memories!

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  53. wow, what a great work and effort to make all this wonderful theme!
    Paige, you are really the greatest mother!!

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  54. Wow! This is such an amazing party for Fox. How FUN! You really did a fantastic job. I love all of the details you shared. :)

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  55. Oh my LORD!! Paige! This is so amazing!!!

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  56. It turned out AMAZING!! Looks like SO much fun!! ^_^

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  57. I am totally using some of your ideas for my photo shoot this halloween

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  58. I stumbled across this blog post while Googling "fox themed birthday" because I am planning my son's second birthday and wanted to do a woodlands theme and incorporate foxes into it. Reason being, is because my son's name is Fox too! I've heard that other little boys share the same name but haven't ever actually seen it until now :) How neat! You can check out my blog Life With Fox if you want. Very cute birthday party by the way!

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  59. How did you make the black signs?
    Like at your candy table?
    Wolves nail
    goblin booty
    Thank you

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  60. What kind of fabric you use for your fence?

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Paige Taylor Evans © // Quinn Creatives DESIGN