My nephew Jonathan monkeyed around for his first birthday this summer, thanks to the creativity of his mommy and my sister, Jennifer. Weeks before the party, Jennifer took this sweet photo of Jonathan with some of his favorite stuffed monkeys. She incorporated it into the invitation. Isn't he adorable?
Jennifer made all of the party printables herself for this party, combining a variety of scrapbook papers in blue and green. You can see how it all came together in the collage below.
I could not believe how perfectly these paper goods coordinated with Jennifer's color scheme. On a whim she stopped in to Party City the day before the party. She expected to take home plain paper plates and napkins, but was thrilled to find these first birthday options.
Jennifer brought everything together with stuffed monkeys, swinging monkeys and fun party ware -- all united in her playful color scheme. Even the birthday boy played along in an appliqued tee from Bebe Boutiques.
I love Jennifer's clever use of a Barrel of Monkeys. She hooked the swinging monkeys onto banana pudding parfaits, then used the empty barrel to corral flatware on the buffet.
At the party, the kids enjoyed making monkey faces with a fun craft kit and mimicking Baby Jonathan in a rousing game of "Monkey See, Monkey Do." To thank the children for swinging by, Jennifer let each guest choose a stuffed animal from her barrel of monkeys (monkey bean bag here). She also made lollipop favors with blue and green Sweet Pops.
There is still more fun to come this week, so join me again tomorrow!
Photos by Jennifer Driver. Used with Permission.
