Aw, yeah. Clara’s second b-day party was full of food, family, friends, fun… and worms (she picked the theme based on her deep love of looking at, drawing, and even dreaming about worms). So… worm to your motha!
We were so thankful to be surrounded by the people we love, the bean had the best time, and the 75 degree weather and sunny skies were the icing on the worm cake. Or should I say worm cupcakes. Let’s get this party (breakdown) started…
But let’s start at the beginning. Clara was born two years ago today. Wait, that’s too far back. Let’s just cover the party. Here’s the sunroom all decked out for the big day. Nothing too fancy, just some balloons and streamers from Target, a colorful tablecloth from HomeGoods, and lots of worm-a-licious food. But we’ll get to that in a second.
We decided to use the sunroom, the patio, and the carport for the entire gathering, which was about 30 people total (ten were kiddos under the age of four). Of course if it had rained we would have partied inside, but it felt especially wormy and fun to have kiddos running around outdoors in the fresh air. Having the sunroom (which is located right off the patio) for food and drinks was also really nice since we didn’t have to worry about finding actual bugs in the food (fake worms = ok, real bugs = not ok).
Here’s a close up of the table seconds before everyone arrived. Fun fact: the table is actually a secret book project covered with a tablecloth since we can’t reveal it on the blog – and also since we didn’t have room to stash it anywhere else. Haha. We figured we might as well put it to good use for now (we’ll be auctioning a bunch of book projects off for charity this fall once the book is out and they’re allowed out of the proverbial bag).
We set out worm-ish food with worm-related labels (made in photoshop and printed at home) like “worm crudités” (long skinny slices of carrots, cucumbers, and cheese), “puffed worms” (white cheddar cheese puffs), “salted worms” (pretzel rods), and “worm dogs” (hot dogs that we cut into fourths and boiled to make them all curly as so many of you recommended in the comments of this pre-party post – thanks!!).
See those pretty flowers on the table? They were from J-boom for Mother’s Day. Love my hubby.
Here’s a close up of the worm dogs. They were a hit among kiddos and adults. I think we moved more of them than we had people at the party.
All of the bowls and plates were just things we had in the pantry. Nothing really matched in shape (round, scalloped, rectangular, etc) but it all worked because it was white – which was actually a nice combo with the crazy-colorful tablecloth (bright platters and bowls might have been a bit much with such an in-yo-face pattern).
We also set out little cups of gummy worms. Hanging a few over the rim like they were crawling out was my idea of a good time. Oh yes, I live on the edge.
We had another small table for the pizza – which is always a party pleaser. We did our take on worm pizza by ordering one with worm-like peppers & onions and topping one with pre-cooked spaghetti. The other two (cheese and peperoni) had a label that said “dewormed pizza.” Oh yeah, we ran with this worm theme, baby.
Everyone got a kick out of the bird napkins (birds eat worms, right?) that we found at Ikea.
On the other side of the sunroom we set up a little drink station. See this table covered with another HomeGoods tablecloth? There’s another secret book project under there. Haha. As for what drinks we served, we went with some cute glass bottles of orange soda and Coke for the 20-ish adults and also had Izze, water, and sparkling water in the beverage tin along with apple juice and water for the kiddos. Oh and see those apples in front of the drink tin? We plopped a gummy worm on each one. Ha. They actually got eaten, too!
And check out those worm-like pink straws…
Since this room is still completely untouched, there was no wall art going on (we just plopped down furniture 16 months ago and haven’t done anything but shove book stuff in there since). So we taped up Clara’s monthly pictures from this year along with 12 fun worm facts on a nice bare expanse of wall above the table. John just googled around for worm trivia and typed each 4 x 6″ card up in Photoshop.
For anyone who wants to see the whole shebang a little closer, just click this photo for an enlarged version:
Oh and here’s the carport all snazzed up with pink & orange streamers. When it comes to bang for your buck, they’re pretty festive (and so cheap!). It’s hard to see in these pics, but we swagged them so they were sort of wiggly and worm-ish. And I proudly hung the fabric banner that I made for Clara’s first birthday on the half wall that looks back onto the patio. We brought a few chairs and a garden stool out from inside as well as all the sweet little watering can favors for each of our young party-goers to take home.
I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see all ten of those little watering cans lined up on that wall. As I mentioned here, they were each filled with a bottle of bubbles, a pink or orange shovel, and a stuffed snake-turned-worm that we found at Ikea for 49 cents (we cut off the forked tongue to complete the conversion). We also grabbed the watering cans at Ikea for 99 cents each.
Other than streamers and balloons, we just hung three paper lanterns that came in a pack from Target and some funny worm-like pink swirlie paper things that we found for a few bucks at Party City. Then we brought out a low table from the sunroom and made a little play station for the kiddos with things like bubbles, a puzzle from Melissa and Doug that has bugs/worms on it, a box of crayons, and a bunch of color-the-worm pages that I sketched before the party.
I just took cardstock and a gray marker and drew a few happy little worms for the kiddos to color. It actually went over pretty well. It was so much fun to see all those colorful scribbled worms at the end of the day.
Here’s a people-milling pic for ya. Is there anything better than a patio full of people you love?
Sidenote: Clara was kind of hilarious about the pizza. She took a big bite of mine and then moved over to her cousin Jake and asked for a bite of his and when we all stared laughing she went from person to person, requesting a bite of each slice (thankfully there were only two other people nearby so it didn’t turn into a giant germ-sharing fest). It was very “welcome to my party, now feed me” of her. At least she wasn’t asking us to bow to her and fan her with leaves.
The other crowd favorite of the afternoon (besides our sweet little pizza-mooching bean) were the dirt cupcakes. We just picked up tasty little 40 cent vanilla cupcakes from a local bakery here in Richmond (Ukrops), pressed them icing-side-down into crushed up Oreo cookies, and plopped a gummy worm on top. We also made some that were dirt free (just squished a worm into the white icing) but the consensus from the crowd was that the Oreo ones were the best since they had some crunch.
Here’s the birthday girl getting her special cupcake (she hand-picked that green gummy worm before the party) in her favorite yellow chair. We stuck two worm-ish pink candles from Target on top, sang our little hearts out, and blew them out fast (since she’s still mildly afraid of fire from a certain Hawaiian hibachi incident).
She did momma proud with her cupcake-eating skills.
We even remembered to try to take a few family photos. Of course we didn’t get any with all of us looking at the camera and smiling (what are those odds, one in a million?), but we did end up with some sweet candid ones (yes that is a random bubble floating by in the foreground).
Clara took the worm theme very seriously. For example, she took great pleasure in feeding them to me.
She and her daddy even got all Lady and The Tramp for this shot:
We all seemed to gravitate to the carport after a few hours in the sunroom and on the patio, and then we decided to open some presents. This wooden worm (well, actually it’s a snake) from one of Clara’s best buddies was a huge hit. The funny thing is that John and I played around with that exact same thing (from Michael’s) for this old Halloween post before we had any idea Clara would develop a deep, strong love of worms.
Clara was seriously smitten.
Here’s another people-milling shot in the carport. As much as we would someday love to convert that space to a garage, it sure is good for friends and family (and balls and balloons). We ended up bringing out our dining chairs with their slipcovers back on (so any rogue icing could just be washed off) and we did what we do best: hung out and watched those sweet kiddos of ours. Although there are only three out of ten kids in this pic, so there must have been a gaggle of them staring at a spider in the corner or dunking by the basketball hoop (a sweet gift from my brother Dan, which you can see two pictures up).
The general gist? It was a great day. We are so thankful for our friends and family and our sweet, happy little girl. I always cry at her party. Just can’t help it. She’s our little miracle (birth story here, sniffle sniffle). And we’re so grateful to have awesome folks like you guys to virtually attend our weird little worm party. Haha. There’s a sentence I never thought I’d write.
But perhaps Burger had the most fun, gazing dreamily up at all the leftovers at the end of the festivities.
He even got lucky and found a cheese puff under the table.
The End.
Oh wait, we made a little Clara video like we did last year – not to show at the party this time, just to have so we can look back on it (and watch it with Clara, since she loves the one we made for her first birthday). So here’s her last year in seven minutes. My favorite parts are her Britney Spears impression near the beginning and some Flash-Dance-ish ottoman dancing in the outtakes at the very end.
Love that girl. Love you guys too. Lots of mushiness flying around. Haha. What did you do this weekend? Any Mother’s Day fun? Any worm eating?
Psst- We have a bunch of outtakes for this month’s Clara picture in front of her homemade fabric, so you can check those out here on Young House Life.
Rebecca in NC says
I love all those decorations! You guys know how to throw a party. :)
angie webb says
So, So cute!!!!!
Jackie E. says
Reading your post today made me think of a book that is a “must have” for Clara. It’s called “Diary of a Worm” and it is hilarious. If she doesn’t have it already, run (don’t walk) to the bookstore today!
http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Worm-Doreen-Cronin/dp/1591128722/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337006278&sr=1-1
YoungHouseLove says
Looks so cute! We’ll have to check it out!
xo,
s
Taylor says
Yes! I was going to suggest the same thing. My students always enjoy this book. Clara would love it!
Allyn says
SO FUN! I want to go to a party like that!
Ha, so I was watching a food documentary this weekend (Fresh, on Netflix. Really interesting), and at one point they were talking about how awesome worms are, and I thought of Clara. I knew she’d appreciate it.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that! We’ll have to get Netflix it!
xo,
s
Holli C says
Sorry if you’ve already talked about this… can you please tell me what kind of video software you use to make these videos? So cute!
YoungHouseLove says
We made the first one (last year’s) on iMovie (comes free with Macs) but used FinalCutPro this time (a program you have to buy) since we had to buy it to edit a promo video for our book. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Carra says
Love your jean jacket. I am missing my jean jacket/sundress combo already down here in South Florida. It has already turned muggy here.
Anyways! Party looks like it was a blast. Clara looks like the happiest two year old in all of worm land.
I can not wait for your book to be out! Counting the days.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Carra!
xo,
s
Kathryn Humphreys says
So cute. We had a birthday party this weekend too, although my little one is no longer little. sniff.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I hope the party was awesome!
xo,
s
Thais Bessa says
First of all: happy birthday, Clara! Wishing you a long life filled with blessings, good health, love, success and happiness!
The party was amazing and one can really see how much fun everyone had.
How you guys took the worms theme reminded me of that episode in Friends when Phoebe is assigned cups and ice for a party and then she goes crazy about it and really makes the party about cups and ice? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny!
xo,
s
Sayward says
I started crying 49 seconds into this video. At work. Guess who has to watch the rest of it later at home :)
Happy Birthday, Clara!! The way you guys rocked the worm party theme was like someone turning coal into diamonds. Amazing!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Sayward! I ball like a baby.
xo,
s
Natalie says
Loved all the pictures and your video for Clara. She will LOVE watching those videos you make for her for the rest of her life :) They are so sweet and I get totally teary when you make those montages…good work you guys are great parents!
Ann L. says
Such a cute party. Looks like everyone had a good time and the weather this weekend was peeeerfect! Where’d you get the floral tablecloth/fabric to cover the secret book projects? Love it.
I don’t even have kids and that video made me a little misty! Adorable, Clara looks like such a happy kid and you guys look like such proud parents.
Happy Birthday Clara!
YoungHouseLove says
HomeGoods! It was huge and really cheap!
xo
s
Ashley says
The party looked awesome and I totally teared up at the video as if I really “know” you guys. Happy Birthday to your sweet and adorably funny little lady!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ashley!
xo,
s
Robin says
Just wanted to wish Clara a Happy Birthday and say thank you for sharing your joy with us.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Robin!
xo,
s
Monique says
Looks like a great time! I also want to add that the worm hot dogs, cut length-wise, are doctor approved!
(I’ve been a spazz about this since forever:
http://residentmommy.blogspot.com/2009/07/have-safe-4th-of-july.html )
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo,
s
Carrie says
Ok, so that video totally made me cry. Even though I don’t know you or Clara. I’m so weird. Time just goes so fast. Savor every moment!
And I love the party! You did great with the worm theme and the weather was perfect!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Carrie!
xo,
s
Amy says
I love the can of Diet Coke peeking out beside the drink table! Looks like a fantastic time – you guys made worms girly and cute – who’d thought?! Great job!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that’s for our diet coke-loving cousin!
xo,
s
chrissie lynn says
we don’t have kids yet, so i can’t explain why i loved this post so much or why i read every single detail, and then cried during the video other than to say – yhl has got my clock ticking – ha!
looks like such a great time.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw Chrissie, you’re so sweet!
xo,
s
Stacy says
Love the title post. I am pretty sure you were representin’ yet another white rapper on that one, right? :)
On another note, who knew the worm theme could be so prevalent in our lives?!
Happy Birthday to Clara!
Kim says
So cute! What a fun day, and great celebration of her happy self. Our daughter (12) is just now able to handle japanese restaurants, because we also accidentally traumatized her. She still not a huge fan of the fire, though. And she hates balloons because of the popping, and can’t stand the thought of anyone getting sick, in real life or in movies. I think it’s a sign of sensitivity!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so cute! It must be!
xo,
s
Liz Massingill says
the video is just too sweet! made me tear up, towards the end (more because my nephew is turning 2 on thursday)! happy 2 years, clara!
karen says
what a colourful, cheerful, happy, wormalicious post!!
Looked like clara had a blast!! Happy birthday to my favourite world wide web toddler!!
LIsa P says
What a special way to celebrate Clara’s 2nd Birthday! You really pull out the stops for that little lady. I just love her video and it made me tear up just like her first year video. She is very lucky to have such loving parents. I hope she has another magical day with you all!
Karen F says
what a fun party! you really thought of every single detail! And everything looked beautiful, too. Great job, and I’m glad the weather cooperated with your plans!
They grow up so fast, it’s crazy! *sniff sniff*
Victoria says
Love love love the party details and colors! I love that you really went with the worm theme! When a little girl loves worms, you gotta give her worms! :)
Brenda says
Those worm dogs are look amazing! It looks like it was a great party and time of celebration. :)
April says
You guys did an amazing job with the party- thanks for sharing! I especially loved how Clara got to sit in her special chair for her birthday serenade. :)
I’m currently pregnant with my first baby and you guys are such an inspiration to me. I’ve already used your posts to convince my husband on cloth diapers and installing a toilet sprayer! I’d love to make a birthday video like yours someday- any chance you could share a how-to post, or if it’s too technical, just share the equipment and software you use? Thank you!!
YoungHouseLove says
We shoot footage all year long on our Flip HD, and then we upload it to our computer and use an editing program to make the video. We used to use iMovie, which comes free on a Mac, but we recently had to purchase Final Cut Pro for a book promo video we had to make, so we used that this time. They both are pretty easy to use, although they can take some time to cut everything from a whole year all together and add music, etc.
xo,
s
April says
Thanks so much for this helpful info- and speedy response! You have no idea how much you guys brighten my day and help with the nitty gritty of my home/life projects. Sending a big virtual hug to you!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, hugs right back April!
xo,
s
feep says
Looks like a great party. I will need to remember the food ideas for my son when he gets older, he’ll probably love it. The Monkey and Banana duo made me smile. We did the same thing with our dog and daughter when she was around 2. That was a nice little pick-me-up for a Monday morning. Wahoowa!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s so cute!
xo,
s
Ashley says
Happy birthday, Clara!
Ellen says
Happy Birthday Clara! For once my answer to the post is worth mentioning. We had a birthday here Saturday too! My little man turned one and we celebrated with family and friends. Unfortunately it was chilly and rainy here in Memphis, but fun was still had by all!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, happy happy birthday to your little man! That’s so exciting!
xo,
s
heather says
Oh and as far as what we did this weekend? I made some orange dandelion blossom syrup, soap nuts laundry detergent and planted the garden (amongst a baby shower and visiting my mam’s)! It was definitely busy but worth it.
And yep, you can definitely make syrup from dandelions – and it’s tasty.
http://www.likeacupoftea.com/orange-dandelion-blossom-syrup/
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo,
s
Ellen says
What a sweet video. Happy Birthday, Clara, and Happy Mothers’ Day, Sherry! You guys are such great parents to such a sweet, happy, dancing, girlie! Her bright personality just oozes through the screen!
krista says
The party looked liked great fun, but that video was amazing! Maybe it’s because I’m pregnant, but i was tearing up the whole way through. What a beautiful way to celebrate the life of your little lady! Happy Birthday Clara!
Candace Frunzi says
Tht video was the cutest thing ever!! I hope I do that when I have kids :)
Angela says
Cute party! I’m craving gummy worms now.
I have to be honest, the maxi dress combined with the jean jacket have me wondering if another Petersik is on the way…
YoungHouseLove says
I knew that was coming! Nope, not prego. Haha. We’re not quite ready yet, but definitely want another one down the line!
xo,
s
Shreya says
Thank you so much for sharing Clara’s birthday with us! Your creativity continues to surprise and delight me – who would have thought a worm party could be so colorful and so much fun?!
Happy birthday Clara – I hope the twos aren’t as terrible as they are made out to be!
Morgan says
Such an adorable party! Clara is one lucky little girl!
Alison says
I LOVED the video! I’m already thinking of what I can do for my baby when she turns one in November! I was watching the video and my husband asked what I was watching. I said Clara, of course!
Caroline says
This party is AWESOME! Who knew a worm party could be so fabulous?! Seriously impressed & loving it. Happy Birthday, Clara – you are one lucky little lady.
Sara R says
Awesome party idea. :)
That video of Clara was amazing! I was teary eyed watching her grow! What a wonderful keepsake for her.
tracy a says
Seems like a great time! Congrats on the big 2! Potty training here you come (read Potty Training in a Day, I swear it works). I think I may have missed something, but why a worm theme? Does she just love them or what??
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, she’s obsessed. If you ask her what she dreams about it’s always worms. And she’ll color with crayons and say she’s drawing worms. The girl is just in love.
xo,
s
Claire says
Call me a sap, but your video totally brought tears to my eyes. Love seeing happy families in action.
That little Clara is a smart girl – are we going to hear about some DIY potty training soon? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
She’s definitely reading potty books with us and sitting on the potty seat (she actually peed once in the potty by total accident and we got all excited and gave her a treat but she just can’t control it quite yet – no matter how much she tries to replicate it knowing she gets showered with excitement). So we’re happy to wait until she’s ready and just sit in there and read to get her into the groove. Haha. Will keep you posted!
xo,
s
Christy says
Worms can help lower cholesterol? I’m trying to figure out which is worse. High cholesterol or eating worms.
Glad the party was a hit!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- it’s true!
xo,
s
Julie says
Wow, what a cute video! I teared up of course, although being three and a half months pregnant might explain that! ;) I will have to show this video to my husband when he gets home because I definitely want to do something like this each year for our own kiddos! Happy Birthday, Clara!
Michelle @ Lifewithacrazypup says
Happy Birthday to the little bean! She’s so adorable — I love following along :) Her party was so cute! I love how you guys make her parties so special without spending a ton of money! So inspirational.
I was thinking of you all this weekend! I tackled my first ORB painting job and I absolutely LOVE it. I would have never known about the joys of ORB without some YHL in my life. Check out how much better these look:
http://lifewithacrazypup.com/2012/05/13/spray-it-goodly/
I feel like I owe you a huge thank you!!
YoungHouseLove says
They look awesome! Love the pooch pics too! Haha.
xo,
s
N Shirley says
Happy birthday Clara! What a fun party. The video was so touching. I always cried on my children’s birthdays. Now, they are all grown up and I get to cry on my grandchildren’s birthdays!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, something to look forward to! I love it!
xo,
s
Paige @ Little Nostalgia says
So many things about this are amazing. I’ve been reading since you were preggo, $herdog, and it’s been so wonderful to watch her grow up! I can’t believe she’s already 2 either!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Paige! Thanks so much!
xo,
s
adrienne says
you guys are amazing – love the theme and SO super creative!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Adrienne!
xo,
s
Erin C says
Looks like you had a great party! I’m definitely taking notes for next year. :) As I’ve mentioned before, we had our twins 1st birthday on Saturday. I wayyyyy overplanned food. I’m still eating burgers and potato chips and mini cupcakes.
Looks like you had great weather. We were braving 95 degrees in our backyard. People were uncomfortable. Last year on this weekend it was raining here. WHO KNEW?!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we overbought soda- so we ended up bringing it to another family thing we had on Sunday and forcing it on everyone! Haha. As for the weather, I’m sure it was hot but people had a blast anyway! In the end, it’s all about the food and the people, right?! Happy b-day to those sweet twins of yours!
xo,
s
Kelley says
Love it! The worms were so cute – love how you guys found a way to incorporate them into everything. Clara has grown so much in just a year!
Sara says
Such a cute party! Loved all the bright colors! The video was so sweet. Brought a tear to my eye, as it made me think about my daughter’s first year (she just turned one on Frieday). They grow up so fast! Clara is such a doll…and she’s got some great dance moves too!