“Smash the cake” parties, or a child’s first birthday, is always a fun party to attend because you get to see pure excitement and joy (and not to mention a serious sugar rush) come over a one year old at his or her very first birthday celebration. It’s also a great way for adults to vicariously live through a child and watch them mash a cake to bits.

Last weekend, I got the opportunity to celebrate with Peter and his family as he turned one. The Elmo themed party was complete with family, friends, great food, a pile of presents to tear open, a beautiful Elmo cake, and a bowling pin signed by the crowd with well-wishes to Peter. This was fitting as the location was at a bowling venue. And what was Peter sporting? A cute red shirt with his name on it and some Elmo shoes, styled by his mom of course who planned a very memorable first birthday party.