Happy First Birthday Colton (Take 1 and 2)

It's hard to believe that Colton has already reached the life-altering milestone of turning one.  Okay, maybe it isn't life-altering, but for some reason, it seems like a really big deal.  We decided not to worry about having a party (since I think a first birthday seems really important to us as parents--not so much for the kid), but I think a fantastic birthday cake is essential.  Really, that's what it means to turn one, right?  You get to go to town on a big piece of cake while everyone takes pictures of you.  

So I had big plans about the cake I was going to make for Colton, but it turned out that on the actual day of his birthday, we just plain ran out of time to make a cake--something about driving from St. George to Sandy to Provo...  My mom was kind enough to grab one for us at the grocery store so that we could at least sing to him and such, but something in my heart felt that it was just sick and wrong for him to celebrate his first birthday with a store-bought (vanilla) cake.  Granted, I think he was perfectly satisfied with his first cake experience, but I had mother-guilt.  So when we got back to Virginia, I made him another one--bug themed since we like to call him "little bug." 

So here you have Colton's first birthday celebration part 1:

The best part about this celebration is that Colton's cousins and grandparents (unfortunately not pictured) were there to sing to him and watch him attack the frosting.

Celebration #2:

The bottom layer had peppermint frosting and regular M&M's decorated like ladybugs.  The cupcakes all have chocolate frosting and peanut butter M&M's--some with coconut, some without.  Colton was intrigued by the little bugs on the cake.  He was so speedy, he managed to grab one and get it to his mouth before we could stop him.  I'm pretty sure they are a choking hazard.  Don't worry.  He survived.

And clearly, the chocolate cake was a winner!  Happy birthday little bug.  We love you lots!!