Happy birthday, little piggie!
Posted: September 25, 2012 Filed under: food, pets | Tags: birthday parties, carrot cake, Juliana pigs, micro-mini pigs, miniature potbellied pigs, pet birthday parties, pig-themed party, pigs as pets, reader 22 CommentsOur little piggie Piper turned one on Sunday, and we went a bit hog-wild celebrating her first birthday.
My favorite girl is quite the party planner, and this shindig was top-notch. She started planning the menu a week or so in advance and it underwent several revisions before she settled on grilled fruit kebabs, BBQ chicken sandwiches, twice-baked potatoes, Ramen-almond salad, and carrot cake.
Yum.
Now, if you’re inclined to leave any comments pertaining to bacon bits or pulled pork, resist the urge or I’ll set the birthday pig on you, and let me assure you that she has no mercy when it comes to porky jokesters. She’s vicious when it comes to that.
After scarfing down her breakfast, Piper started her birthday with a nap on Pedey’s rug. She usually bosses him right off his rug, but the birthday nap was conducted in peaceful harmony.
Party preparations started early and lasted all weekend. The first order of business was to make a party wreath for the front door. We are fortunate to have an artist at the ready, and he created the focal point of the wreath. He’s also the creative genius behind the logo that graces the front page of this little blog.
Next came the gathering and placing of various pig-related decor:
And the custom-made bow for the birthday girl. Amazing how cute it turned out considering it was made from a $1.50 bow from the grocery store, a flower clip from the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby, and a candle sticker from the scrapbooking aisle.
Piper kept shaking her bow off the top of her head, so we had to get creative and attach it to a stretchy headband that went around her neck. 
Making the party favor goodie bags kept my little social butterfly busy for awhile, and she was quite pleased with the results. She decorated the cookies herself with a pig snout and pig-shaped sprinkles delivered across state lines from Pennsylvania to Texas by our uber-thoughtful friend, Debbie. 
Birthday gifts for our little piggie included all of her favorites: cucumbers, wasabi peas (yes, she likes it spicy!), and strawberries. 
Part of her birthday feast was a chunk of watermelon, which she thoroughly enjoyed and hastily demolished.
Speaking of food, the birthday feast for the humans was yummy! My girl’s idea to serve grilled fruit kebabs was a wise one.
The BBQ chicken was a big hit with everyone but this non-meat-eater.
Two thumbs up for the twice-baked potatoes, which disappeared before I had a chance to snap a photo. My favorite girl has always had a huge love affair with potatoes, so it was no surprise to find them on the menu.
The party planner extraordinaire strikes a pose after dinner.
And then suffers through a normal pose, too.
And then came the highlight of the evening: the birthday cake! We scooped out a little of the cake batter and added extra carrots to bake a special (and portion-controlled) cake for the birthday pig. 
Miss Piggie needed a little help blowing out the candle; we were afraid she’d eat the whole thing, flame and all!
She didn’t stop to admire it before she inhaled it. 
The humans behaved marginally better with their cake.
It was a blow-out first birthday celebration, for sure. One of the party guests commented on how lucky Piper is to have been chosen by Macy and to be so adored. Truth is, we’re the lucky ones. 
The Pink Underbelly 
It was a great evening and I finally know the answer to the age-old question, “is a pig ever full?” It took quite a while but she did seem to have had enough by the time dessert was finished.
She finally did get full, but I’m sure she’d be willing to give it a go and stuff a few more bites in!
It looks like a wonderful and well-planned celebration. I hope our pig, Milo, doesn’t get wind of it or we’ll have have some big shoes to fill next month. I don’t suppose Macy wants to plan a party for Milo?
Macy would do long-distance party planning for Milo, I’m sure!
I really love your post and all your photos! Bravo!
Aw, thanks, Kathleen! Some things, like a piggie party, just have to be shared!
Such fun! Enjoyed account immensely.
Thank you, Lois!
How indescribably cute! Piggie is so fortunate to be part of your family! xox
Jan, we do love her so!
Love it!!!
A good time was had by all!
This party looks FUN 🙂 What wonderful details and planning, looks like it went off without a hitch. Happy birthday to Piper, and thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post.
Catherine
Thank you, Catherine — I always enjoy your comments.
Love the photos, especially of the doggy and piggy together, and your girl lovin her “baby”. Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes– I think it was given by a lady with autism, talking about her dogs– : “Love is love, wherever you find it”.
You said it, Marcie — love is love, no matter what form or between whom you find it!
Such a happy occasion! Happy B-Day, Piper! And your girl has a real gift — party planning ain’t for the faint of heart! Thanks for sharing all those pics. Brightened my day!
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if my girl became a party-planner for real someday. She’s great at it, and you’re right, it’s not for the faint of heart! I’ve thrown lots of parties but still have anxiety about it every time.
Happy Birthday Piper! I remember when you got the piggy, so much fun. 🙂
She is so much fun, Mandi! If someone had told me how much we’d enjoy her, I’d have thought they were nuts!
Don’t know why I’m just seeing this….but, it was a great party indeed!
We’re going to have to make this an annual event!