Monkey Birthday For The Little Monkey

The nickname started when he was born. As stated in my previous post, Brody was a furry baby when he came out; his cheeks, forehead, ears, arms, and back…and that head of hair. Brodes was 6 lbs 2 oz. and 21 inches long when he was born. That may not mean anything to most, but Grant was 21.5 inches and 8 lbs. 2 oz. In other words, Brody was a long, skinny, furry boy with a big head. He looked like a monkey.

And so it started with this:

and then Dangle Monkey was a gift from a friend:

Please note: wooden appendages

While Dangle Monkey is cute and organic and good for the planet and all, it is not advisable to give Dangle Monkey to a baby that barely has control of their own appendages. Those wooden hooks become wildly flailing projectile objects, likely to make contact with a forehead or nose.

Then for Christmas, my mom (aka Grammy) gave Brody Monkey Monkey:

also seen here. Also, whenever possible, his face can be found in Brody’s mouth

So it only seemed appropriate to have a monkey themed birthday party for the little guy, no? Or is that like rubbing salt in the wounds? (and for the record, said body fuzz has disappeared and has been displaced to the beautiful mop on the top of his head.)

First order of business, decor….A few weeks back I was at a one year old birthday party where they had a homemade banner made from pictures taken at monthly increments. I saw a Disney themed one, I decided to do something similar since I have been taking monthly pictures for his scrapbook (which btw, has not yet been started!)

A little Cricut magic, hot glue, and ribbon and voila:

The three pictures in the center were taken as his one year pictures a few days before his birthday. They were not easy, that boy can move.

Next up, a Happy Birthday banner, similar to the one I found on Pinterest, from esty that sells for $28! HOLY CRAP, would someone really pay that much for a custom paper banner? I made it myself in an hour.

Cricut, paper, and glue. BAM:

seems as if I forgot to take a picture of it at the party so here they both are on the floor

and lastly, cupcakes! I was shocked to find some really cute monkey cupcake liners at KING SOOPER (of all places!) and so I snatched them up quickly. And also the idea to make monkey faces out of ‘Nila Wafers! (By Ellie and Blair)

Again, no future competitor of Cupcake Wars should be concerned….

Pretty sure the reason my monkeys are light brown is because I used cocoa instead of melted chocolate in the frosting, but whatever, brown is brown and chocolate is chocolate in this case.

I made Martha Stewart banana cupcakes which were good and I would make again. But do not put them in the fridge, they get hard (because of the butter). But I had to put them in the fridge because I made chocolate, cream cheese frosting (From Slash Food) which started melting because Colorado has been enduring dry, crispy, HELL-LIKE conditions the past 4 weeks. No amount of air conditioning could help my melted monkey faces…but I tried.

I also made these monkey’s with my Cricut and hot glued them all around the cupcake stand

And lastly, I know this seems a bit over-the-top for a one year old birthday party, but we got the Bounce House that we used for Grant’s birthday party. IT WAS MONKEY THEMED OK? (AND FREE! Minus the cost of something “thank you” gifts.)

Pretty sure he had a good time, because he slept in an extra hour and a half the next morning. Which, in his entire year of existence has never, ever happened. Who knew one year olds could have birthday party “hangovers” too?

Happy Birthday Brodes! We love you little monkey!