Aw, yeah. Clara’s second birthday party was a joyful mix of family, friends, food, fun — and worms. She chose the theme because she loves looking at, drawing, and even dreaming about worms. So, worm to your motha!
We felt so grateful to be surrounded by people we love. Clara had an absolute blast, and the sunny 75-degree weather made the day even better. Here’s a look back at the party and how we pulled it together.
We used the sunroom, the patio, and the carport for the gathering, which hosted about 30 people in total, including ten little ones under four. If it had rained we would have moved indoors, but being outside felt especially fitting for a worm-themed celebration. The sunroom, which opened right onto the patio, served as the food and drink area so we didn’t have to worry about finding real bugs in the snacks (fake gummy worms were, of course, encouraged).
For decorations we kept things simple and cheerful: balloons and streamers, a colorful tablecloth, and plenty of worm-themed touches. The food table was ready just minutes before guests arrived. The table itself was covered with a cloth and quickly became the hub for worm-ish treats and playful labels.
We labeled the food with fun names to match the theme. “Worm crudités” were long, skinny slices of carrots, cucumbers, and cheese. “Puffed worms” were white cheddar cheese puffs. “Salted worms” were pretzel rods, and “worm dogs” were hot dogs cut into fourths and boiled so they curled like little worms. The kids loved them, and adults did too — we served far more worm dogs than there were people.
The serving dishes were a mix of pantry items in white, which worked well against the bright tablecloth without competing for attention. Small cups of gummy worms were a hit; hanging a gummy over the rim so it looked like it was crawling out of the cup was a fun touch that made everyone smile.
We set up a separate pizza station and riffed on the theme there as well. One pizza had peppers and onions arranged to look worm-like, another was topped with pre-cooked spaghetti for texture, and the rest were labeled “dewormed pizza” as a silly aside. Little bird-printed napkins were another small joke — birds eat worms, right?
On the drink table we offered glass bottles of soda and Coke for the adults, Izze and sparkling water, and apple juice and water for the kids. We placed apples in front of the beverage tub and stuck a gummy worm on each one, which were surprisingly popular. Worm-like pink straws added another playful detail.
With the sunroom still being a work in progress, we didn’t have wall art in place, so we taped up Clara’s monthly photos from the past year and added a dozen fun worm facts printed on small cards above the table. Simple and personal, the display gave the space personality without feeling overdone.
Outside, the carport was dressed up with pink and orange streamers swagged to feel wiggle-like, which fit the theme perfectly. We hung a fabric banner from a previous birthday and lined the half wall with small watering-cans filled with little favors for the kids: a bottle of bubbles, a tiny shovel, and a stuffed snake we’d converted into a worm. The watering cans were an inexpensive, cheerful favor the kids loved.
Decorations beyond streamers included three paper lanterns and a few pink swirly paper accents. We brought out a low table stocked with kid-friendly activities: bubbles, a bug-and-worm puzzle, crayons, and coloring pages I sketched of happy worms. The coloring station was a big hit — seeing all those colorful scribbled worms at the end of the day was a delight.
After a while guests drifted to the carport and patio where chairs were arranged for chatting and watching the kids. We brought out slipcovered dining chairs in case of rogue cupcake icing, and everyone settled into a relaxed afternoon of visiting and celebrating Clara.
Speaking of cupcakes, the dirt cupcakes were another crowd favorite. We bought vanilla cupcakes from a local bakery, pressed them icing-side-down into crushed Oreos to create a “dirt” topping, and added a gummy worm on top. Some cupcakes were left without the Oreo crunch for those who preferred a simpler treat, but the majority agreed the Oreo ones were the tastiest.
Clara chose her own cupcake worm before the party and sat in her favorite yellow chair for the song and brief candle-blowing ceremony. We used two pinkish candles and kept the moment short since she’s still a little wary of flames after a past incident. She dove into her cupcake with gusto and did us proud with her enthusiastic eating skills.
We grabbed a few candid family photos during the day — nothing too posed, just sweet moments captured naturally. Clara fully embraced the theme, even gleefully “feeding” gummy worms to anyone nearby, and she enjoyed a special wooden worm-shaped gift from a close friend. The toy was a hit and clearly delighted her.
As the afternoon wound down, we opened presents, lingered over the last bits of cake and snacks, and watched our guests say their goodbyes. Burger, our family dog, enjoyed surveying the remnants and even managed to score a stray cheese puff under a table, which made him very happy.
It was a wonderful day: warm weather, great company, and a very happy birthday girl. We felt grateful for family and friends, for small moments that make big memories, and for the chance to celebrate another year of Clara’s funny, curious personality. We also made a short video of Clara’s last year to keep as a memento — a little time capsule of giggles, dances, and tiny milestones that we’ll enjoy watching together for years to come.
Love that girl. Love you all. Lots of mushiness and gratitude floating around after such a sweet, worm-filled celebration.