Faint Burble: Gonna make a cake...

It's my son's first birthday on March 29th and I need to start getting organized now since he takes up so much of my time (and loving it!)

He likes Blue's Clues and Cookie Monster. Im most inspired by Cookie Monster -- so a Cookie Monster cake is what he's getting!!!

I've put "domestic goddess" on the back shelf for some time... its time to re-awaken her and fine-tune some skillz.

I have gotten some ideas from some images online and a little bit of instruction from youtube, etc... but nothing to follow exactly to the letter... so I will have to improvise! And, I'm sure that I wont be able to get it all figured out until I actually do it myself... I may have to do a practice run! I plan to do a small smash cake for my baby boy and a larger one to feed the guests (maybe about 30 people?) But how can I make practice Cookie Monster appropriate for Valentine's Day, or my Husband's 37th birthday?

I saw the mini-3D bear and the regular 3D bear cake pans that Wilton makes, but I think that the proportions are a little off... I think I may end up using pyrex bowls like the first website link but... how??

I also plan on using fondant for the eyes and inside the mouth and possibly a party hat on top of his head...

Any comments, helps, links, etc would be appreciated! :)

Here's some of the websites that Im looking at:

Designs:

http://www.cake-decorating-corner.com/cookie-monster-cake1.html

(my favorite!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tinkabellz/3623142219/

(I'd just make the mouth a little larger)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/charleyscakes/2407580151/

(nice and simple)

http://www.zerogravity.com.au/blog/2009/01/how-i-made-an-elmo-cake-part-1/

(This one is Elmo, I thought I could glean some ideas... its VERY involved -- i hope that mine is simpler)