Nov. 25, 2007 Thanksgiving Menu and comments
Turkey -
Recipe - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Citrus-Turkey-Brine/Detail.aspx then rubbed butter and garlic between the skin and meat. Turned out super awesome. I cooked it upside down then the last hour or so turned breast side up. It was very juicy and flavorful. I will continue using this simple recipe.
Mashed Potatoes-
Did with butter, milk and garlic powder for dh's and with ricemilk and Earth Balance and garlic powder for mine. I want to do more herbs next time.
Stuffing
Dh-I need a new recipe it was with cranberries and apples. My mother did it and didn't listen to the changes in the recipe and turned out decent but horrible for dh. So I need a recipe with sausage and pine nuts again.
Mine- it was a Cashew stuffing and was (ok). I will need a new recipe also. Maybe just use the same recipe as the pinenut one but without sausage.
Green Beans- maybe do lemony or bacon in it next time.
Tossed green salad - something my mother couldn't mess up :)
Rolls- I want to do homemade next time. The ones we had were mediocre.
Olives and Cranberry Sauce.
Vegan Carrot Cake (was ok. if I made it it might have been better, though my mom followed the recipe she still doesn't do well cooking).
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Next year definately doing sweet potatoes also.
Also a punch, and a yummy decadent dessert |
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Nov. 25, 2007 Heart Tying Strings Challenge - Week 5
November 26th - Week Five
This weeks assignment: Play a game or do a fun activity with your child.
Motivation:
Matthew 18:3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Explanation -
Find a new game or activity to do with your child. It can be something simple like hide and seek..or have a pillow fight! We are not suggesting you go BUY anything here. Laugh and relax and do not think about your "to do list" while playing! Is there something your child is often asking you to do or play, and you say, "not now?" Does your child love crafts and you dislike them and keep putting your child off? Now is the week to change that and do something that your child enjoys. Plan to do this activity or game, or a variety of games or activities at least 2-3 times this week if you can. Post and tell all what you played and how fun it was, and how much fun it was to actually do stuff with your kiddos.
Purpose -
Tying heart strings to your child. To enjoy spending time with your child, and for your child to enjoy fellowshipping with you as well. This will actually help with FTO!
Final Objective -
Have a great relationship with you child(ren). Have children that can come to you with their worries and concerns, and enjoy spending time with their family more than their friends. To model and practice selflessness and fellowship.
Anecdote-
When Rivergallery was young, on rainy days when everyone was home they would pull out board games. Not just board games. Each family member picked 1-2 games, and they would hold a competition. A carnival of sorts as one game inevitably was fishing for prizes over the back of Daddy's easy chair. Who ever won the most games got to pick their reward. Before the contest they would write down what they wanted, Rivergallery always put have everyone clean her room for a week. Her dad would put help him in the garage, and Mom always put help in the kitchen. Dad usually won so after the contest they all headed into the garage. Even that work for "loosing" was fun, as they were together.
Links -
Tracy's Book Nook- http://www.tracysbooknook.com/parenting_books/1001waystoconnect.html
1001 ways to connect with our kids by James R Lucas - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0842331549
100 Fun things to do with your Family- http://www.angelfire.com/md2/moodyfamily/100things.html
20 Fun things to do with your Kids - http://www.waidsoft.com/funkids.html
Cheap craft projects- http://www.orientaltrading.com |
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Nov. 23, 2007 Re Heart Tying Challenge #4
Well we ended up making two types of mashed potatoes yesterday, my dh likes his with the skin on, and I can't eat dairy.
So the boys washed the potatoes with Grandma watching, then brought them to me to chop them and put them into a pot, then they carried the pot to grandma and filled it with water. Then I called them back when it was ready to mash and add milk and butter and garlic powder, they loved it, and they turned out yummy. |
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Nov. 8, 2007 Chore pictures Nov. 5, 2007 Heart Tying Strings Challenge - Week 2
November 5th - Week Two
This weeks assignment: Teach your child one new chore.
Motivation-
1 Thess 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Explanation -
This does not mean you tell them the chore and walk off. This is a heart tying activity. but SHOW them how to do it and do it well, and make sure they understand your expectations. Make sure your attitude is cheerful and light and have fun with your child! Post what chore you taught or practiced and how it went. Do you think it will be a regular habit or a one time chore? Did you find it valuable to set time aside to train them to do a chore?
Purpose-
To tie strings of fellowship with your child while teaching them a valuable life long skill. To teach the children to be cheerful while doing what they need to do in their current role in the home now, as well as in the future. In addition, this will make your daily grind easier.
Final Objective-
Raise kids up to strong adults that know how to run an efficient household.
Anecdote-
Rivergallery's sons really love cleaning the floors. She gets out a medium size bowl with soapy water, and hand each boy a rag or sponge and they have a fun time soaping up everything in the kitchen. When it is sufficiently slathered Rivergallery takes a large bath towel and dries it all off. The kids are filled with happiness of doing something together. And also confident as they did a great job, on their "own".
Links-
Chore list - http://housekeeping.about.com/od/chorechart1/a/ageapprchores.htm
Another Chore List - http://www.lesliewilson.com/age-appropriate_chores.htm
Chore Chart - http://www.successfulfamilychores.com/Chore_Charts/
Fly Lady - http://www.flylady.net/
Managers of Their Chores (MOTC) - http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1150
Managers Of The Home (MOTH) - http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1100
Motivated Moms - http://www.motivatedmoms.com/
Homekeeping Journal - http://myblessedhome.blogspot.com/2006/04/home-management-binder-housewifes-best.html#article
http://myblessedhome.blogspot.com/2007/06/welcome-to-hmb-university.html#article |
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Oct. 28, 2007 Heart Tying Strings Challenge - Week 1
Hi everyone!
Welcome to our Heart String Tying Challenges.
We have 8 weeks worth of Challenges for you ladies. Which will bring us to Christmas. Each week will have the same format and sections. The assignment, Motivation (verse), Explanation, Purpose, Final Objective, Additional Information (which will include notes from L or R, or verses etc), and Links (which will have websites or book recommendations that might help you complete your assignment). Each week there will be verses posted as our motivation for the assignment, memorization might be a lot of fun, and putting scripture in our hearts is always a good thing.
- Your sisters and fellow mommas in Christ - L & R
Following is the Challenge for this week, feel free to post if you have any questions.
October 29th - Introduction week
This weeks assignment: Read through the book of Proverbs, and introduce yourself and your child(ren) who are going to be traveling with us.
Motivation -
Jeremiah 9:20
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth.
Explanation -
Try and read through the whole book of Proverbs, write down what stands out to you. If you can not get through the whole book, do not fret, but try to read as much as you can. It is 31 chapters so averaging 4 1/2 chapters a night we can do it! Post general feelings or ideas or favorite verses. If you are up for it consider memorizing a verse or if really ambitious a whole chapter in Proverbs! If you do not finish reading all of Proverbs this week we encourage you to finish during these coming weeks.
You may be thinking, oh geez, L and R got me all excited and now I have to read the Bible. How boring, I thought this was going to be a fun and interactive set of challenges to do with my kids. Well remember our purpose for these Heart String Tying Challenges. It is to establish a relationship with your children that is based on the Word. How will we be able to have a strong relationship that is based in the word if we do not read it, and if we do not know what it says? The Proverbs are full of themes like wisdom, avoiding slothfulness, charity, love, grace, and obedience. We need to raise our children with the wisdom Solomon so willingly passed on to us from the Lord.
One Homeschooling family that R knows reads through the Proverbs monthly. It works out very well as there are 31 Proverbs. On shorter months they double up at the end. Consider Challenging your whole family to read one chapter in Proverbs a day, and discussing what you learn not only with us but with them.
Purpose -
Find what God's Word says about discipline, wisdom and tying heart strings.
Final Objective -
Become women of the word.
Additional Information -
There are 31 chapters of Proverbs, and I encourage you to take this journey into the word with us. We are both excited that you all have joined us. One fun activity if you would like is to read the Proverbs to your children and give them crayons or markers and some paper and have them illustrate the Proverbs.
Links -
Bible Online - http://www.biblegateway.com
Raising Godly Tomatoes Mainpage - http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com
Article at No Greater Joy - http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/topics/general-view/archive/2007/april/27/capture-the-moment/
Generations of Light - http://www.generationsoflight.org |
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Oct. 24, 2007 Cigarettes...
Well I hate them, and always have.
I did not know that dh smoked before I met him. In fact I never would have thought of even being a friend with him if he smoked. I was allergic and had asthma. One day I went down to the woodshed after being married to him and he was smoking behind the woodpile. Out in the dark. I was very upset and went and laid down on the bed and cried and cried. He became defensive, and that I shouldn't try and change him. This was about 10 years ago.
Since then it has been a battle between us, and causes a horrible rift in our marriage. I can't get close to him after smoking as not only does smoking effect me when he is near me but even long after the fact from his clothes. So asthma agravation is one issue.
Another issue is that my grandmother died of lung cancer, so I worry about my husband's health.
He tried to quite smoking last week, after 6 days we had a disagreement, and he couldn't handle it and left and smoked a cigarette. Then he started smoking cloves, and today is back to smoking now.
He tends to "blame" me for the stress so puts his addiction off on me, and this makes me upset also.
I have prayed and prayed and prayed some more over this. Even for me to stop having asthma or dh not smoking anymore.
Dh said this morning I need to have patience, but I need patience and physical stamina.. which I do NOT have.
Any prayers would be helpful.
ETA- I have gone through periods of not saying ANYTHING at all about it. And being supportive 100% of anything he is doing, the best I can. But how can I "help" him when I can't be near him physically.. I am talking I need to be about 4 ft away for it not to effect me. So not commenting about it, distances us even more. As it means not asking him to remove a coat. Or not smoke in the hanger.. which is the only door from the house. Etc etc. ad nausem.
I got to the point that I didn't take it personally anymore. He started smoking a lot more after his father passed a couple years ago. He doesn't want to talk about it and does not want to hear about any ideas of how to help him, he wants to do it on his own, so I do not give him any advice anymore. My asthma is so bad sometimes I do not know how I will go on living like this. And my oldest has formed asthma also. He smokes in the hanger or outside, but not inside. I do the best I can to limit its effects on me, but my health continues to deteriorate. WE spend more money on air filters, and dr. visits and special diets, where him stopping the smoking would rectify the situation.
So now I am back to the point of taking it personally. It is an addiction true, but if he wanted to stop he would do MORE to stop it. |
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Jul. 25, 2007 Turtle Party
Isaac's 4th birthday is going to be a turtle party. I finally made him stop switching ideas. Every time I asked him he wanted a different type of party.
We invited a lot of people: 25! Half are kids the other half are adults. I plan to make a turtle cake with a 9" round, and feet that are 1/2 cupcakes and head is one cupcake, decorated with M&M's for the top and Dots for the toes. Not having any food, just the cake, milk, Punch and ice-cream that I will buy the day of.
One family I invited has 7 kids, who are total gems, and older than my kiddos, so it will be very fun.
The weather is supposed to be nice, so I have turtle tag, and a couple other games in mind, but we are keeping it light, and I know Isaac is getting squirt guns and a big ball for his birthday from neighbors and my parents so the kids will have enough to play with. That and we are rural so they can always just pick berries or throw sticks or dig in the dirt.
For decorations - I am using three tables. The main one will be covered with a blue sheet with a green paper (pond) in the middle with origami turtles in the middle. The second inside table will have a green sheet and a few turtles in the middle, and probably a plant. The outside table will be another blue table cloth, without decoration (due to wind). I need to blow up balloons we have blue and green. We will also hang green streamers for seaweed. Making a mobile with a pond and turtles hanging off it with Happy Turtleriffic Birthday Isaac written on it. On the wall we are putting yet another pond with little turtles and a large turtle made of green paper.
For party favors- We made little gift sacks with various dots and M&M individual packs and some other candies I already had, in a sandwich sack, tied with a green ribbon.
I looked everywhere for turtle items, since Isaac decided at the last minute I didn't have time to order them. But I am sure everything will be fine.
For other activities I bought baking clay like FimO that comes in colors and can be baked. The kids can make turtles out of them for another party favor.
With so many adults and kids it should be quite fun.
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May. 24, 2007 Building an Airplane
As some of you know my dh is building an airplane. Yes you read that write. We are not rich nor crazy. Dh just has one hobby. Where most husbands have 5-6 different hobbies, from sports to fly fishing or art or hunting, mine has one BIG hobby.
A few years ago we moved to a private airstrip, this enabled us to get into the pilot community. Dh's dream since he was young was to fly, but his parents were very unsupportive and abusive, so his dreams were always unattainable. After we moved I got a settlement from a car accident of 12,000 and was able to put that together with money we had saved and buy a Cessna 150. It was a beautiful little plane, that the previous owner (a woman) had loved to the point of naming it "Mabel"! She even had window reflectors custom made, to prevent the sun from shining on the leather while parked outside at car shows.
Two years ago we sold the Cessna and dh began working on a plans built 4 seater airplane called a Bearhawk. Here is a website about it. Trouble was, the more he worked the more we realized there would be not enough money or time to finish it. So we had to buck up and sell the plans and the parts he had built (the spars and such). We got what we paid for materials (barely), but it didn't cover dh's time at all.
So we were without a plane and thought, let's try something different. We decided to sell the property behind out house that we had purchased. In doing so we doubled our money. We then took 20,000 and I bought a Honda Odessy Mini-van, and went on my trip to Italy. DH took the rest and bought a kit built plane, called an RV-9a. It is manufactured by Vans Aircraft here in Aurora Oregon.
We started building, or should I say he started building in November of 2005. He began the project with the wings. I was responsible for bucking rivits. It was very very difficult at first till I got the hang of it, it is still not a pasttime for me. When we did it the first time it was so hard, I didn't know if I would be able to do it. I cried, but the dear heart that he is, said not to worry. It took me two days to get the hang of it, and some drilled out rivits. But I gained strength and knowledge and was then referred to as Rachel the Riviter.
DH now has everything ready to paint. He painted the parts last weekend, I took the kids to my parents. More about this later. The red (bottom color) was too purple, so we had to take it back. It took them about 2 hours to change it! We wanted a more orange color. Well when we got back it was way too orange, and bright. So our awesome neighbors who paint cars gave us some black paint (same brand). And the last two days we have been playing around to find the correct mix. We did at 1:19 ratio.
DH will finish up the large painting job tomorrow through to Monday (Memorial Day). The kids and I are going back to my parents for 4 days. I really just want to stay home but the darn fumes!
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Apr. 16, 2007 Happy Easter
Well this is the first Easter we did an Easter egg hunt. I had avoided it ev ery year till now, not sure how to work it into Jesus' resurrection being the reason for our holiday celebration. The more I thought about it the more I figured we could work it in. I invited my parents and neighbors over Saturday, for a potluck type Easter dinner. I made bone-in ham and scalloped potatoes for the first time ever. Amazingly they turned out wonderful, and dh says to make them again. Thank you allrecipes.com. I will post the links to the recipes and how I altered them later.
I began talking to the boys about Easter, about a week or two ahead of time.. What is Easter? Why do we celebrate it? etc. I showed them the veggie tales Easter Carol. Since they already know about Jesus dying on the Cross I didn't focus on that, but on the tomb and the resurrection. in that video they talk about easter eggs. And how they are empty like the tomb. And how they symbolize new life. So I discussed with the boys how Jesus rose from the dead, and had new life. And we have a new life in him. (at a 3-4yr old level of course).
Every Birthday I have a celebration, we decorate, bake a cake, and have people over. So I thought why shouldn't we do the same for Jesus' resurrection? So the boys decorated, and helped me make a cake. Then we played games just like we do at all parties but this one was an Easter Egg Hunt. So for me I have changed my view on Easter Egg hunts. If it is done right there is nothing wrong with it. So yes we even decorated Easter Eggs.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing about what the Lord has done in our lives. Also, I was able to practice hospitality and service to my family and neighbors in a tangible and fun way.
In discussing hardboiling eggs I ran across this funny quote-
~~There was a little chicken who wouldn't lay an egg.
so I poured hot water up and down his leg!
well the little chicken cried and the little chicken begged
and the little chicken laid a hard boiled egg!
da da da da da dumb chicken!~~~
- I also learned to hardboil the eggs and be able to peel them easier let them sit out for a few days before boiling them.
So yes in reflection even I can change my mind, and it doesn't have to be a turn away from God, but can be a turn toward. |
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Feb. 27, 2007 Thematic Parties
Thematic Parties on a budget of money, time and energy-
Thematic parties are great for anytime, you do need time to prepare, and invite however, so they not suitable for spur of the moment get togethers, unless you change the themes in your kitchen, dining room etc to suit seasons, holidays etc.
For my children's birthdays I do a thematic party every year. The theme isn't as important as taking the theme and applying it to the party. What I mean by that is that whether it is airplanes, or puppies the same skills apply into making the party come off with the hostess relaxed and the party thematic. Here are some of the themes I have done, Apples, Airplanes, Rubber Duckies, Puppy Picnic, Veggie Tales, Animals (Zoo), Froggy Party, Bob the Builder, Nemo - I chose the theme in only four of these parties.
How to throw a thematic party-
Pick a theme, either let the focus of the party pick the theme, or choose one. I start about 6 months before my children's birthday asking them what they would like to have as the theme. For me it is important for my children to like the theme, but I also wouldn't allow themes that were inappropriate. For other parties I have chosen or the occasion dictated, like in the case of throwing a party for when Lloyd passed his check-ride (airplane). Sometimes Money can also dictate.. for example my mother's birthday is September and we had a plethora of apples, so I had the theme be apples, We had a pork roast, with homemade applesauce, decorated using paper I had saved and made apples and an apple tree for the entry way, a red plastic table cloth (reused from Isaac's Puppy Picnic), decorated with apples that had written things we love about mom on them, and apple cake for desert. The trick is, what ever you are doing for the party, whether invites, food or decorations consider the theme. The more you think about the theme the more ideas will just come to you. Course if you need help with ideas ask or research :)
After you pick a theme, think about colors, ideally two colors, this way not everything has to have Nemo on it for example, but it is still obviously part of the theme. For Nemo the colors were Orange and Black, so I decorated things in Orange and Black. Rubber Duckies was brown and yellow, and blue. Puppy Picnic was Black and Red- This will help you with the decorations, food and party favors later.
During the 6 months or less you need to figure out the following things.
First I figure out
LOCATION-
I usually do parties at home, as this way is usually cheaper, and more comfortable. However, I did Josiah's 3rd Birthday at the Zoo, we paid for everyone's entry fee 10 people. WOW you think, that was expensive, in fact it was very cheap. I did my research, which I can't recommend enough. You don't have to PAY alot to have a thematic party. I was able to get the boys in free as they were under 5 years old. The zoo has a deal every 2nd tuesday of the month is $2 entry fee, so we had planned to pay $16 for the 6 adults and 2 girls (my niece and a daughter of friends of the family), but someone in line had two free kids tickets and gave them to us! So we only had to pay $14! This was for the whole day, so including gas it was definitely under $50. We brought food in a cooler, as did the other two ladies ( a friend of mine and my mother), and we took a break and ate lunch!, cheap and perfect). Many people think that birthdays have to be expensive these days, but you can have just as much fun, with the same theme and do it much cheaper. For example, I know families that hire clowns, well why not just get some face paint, and have a friend dress up? Hire a pony? why not visit a local stables or have a friend bring a horse by, or ask to give your child a couple lessons?
At about 3 months out I start thinking about these-
DECORATIONS-
For Isaac's Froggy Party I looked around my house for anything green, blue or suitable for decoration. A blue sheet was used as a tablecloth (think pond). I used left over napkins (had some green ones from Christmas) and we used some reusable plastic cups that I had bought for Josiah's 3rd birthday (Veggie Tales). I pulled out all the froggy animals I had, froggy books, cards, pictures, toys etc. I made frogs, cattails and froggy footprints and signs out of construction paper (it is your friend, cheap and easy to make things out of). Save all large paper, table cloths etc. (yes I have bought plastic table cloths before, I bought a black one for Isaac's first birthday (The Puppy Picnic and it has also served as a road for Bob the Builder, and other table coverings, I just clean it off, dry it and fold it back up. Same goes if you buy crepe paper (streamers, save all large amounts, roll it up and save it and reuse it!). To organize this all I have a box upstairs just for party supplies, I don't include seasonal (Christmas, nor Thanksgiving, nor plates or plastic silverware.. which I keep in the kitchen for regular company visits if needed).
----- I like making a banner for every birthday, so just get out your makers and a long sheet of paper, I have used wrapping paper, or long newsprint, you can even piece together pieces if you want/ need to.
DON'T buy things unless you really think you will use them, Think what paper can be used for, I even made valences (with Duckies glued to them) made from the inside of the Christmas Wrap.. it wasn't a roll in there it was a long brown piece of thicker paper).
-----Sometimes it is cheaper to buy reusable glasses or plates than it is to buy disposable, consider this, as it is an easy way to come out ahead after a party, instead of tossing them you can reuse them for the next party
---- I start making things for the party this early, like drawing large figures on paper, like I did scoop and rollie (Bob the Builder Characters, that were about 4ft high), that way it is done way in advance and you don't need to worry about it.
---- Consider dressing up your child, or you or your whole family. Since you should have a couple colors ideally you would dress in those colors, You will see the boys and I implement this in out Puppy Picnic Photos.
---- ITEMS to have on hand, clean sheets you don't mind eating on, crepe paper, construction paper, larger paper (a bit harder to find, but well worth the purchase if you are good and making larger items), a couple plastic table cloths, disposable silverware and dishes, napkins (find these very cheaply and keep on hand), remember white and black can be used with any color and thus any theme, To spice things up think of stickers, themed items (like signs saying "hop on over", or "Doghouse" made from a paper in the shape of a bone, or purchased decor (you only need a few, too many can be overwhelming, useless and expensive), balloons etc
Then figure out-
GUESTS-
How many guests are you comfortable with? For me I start small, I have family and a neighbor couple who are like family to us. That way if things don't go how you planned you are more comfortable with the people. My first thematic party as a mommy was for Josiah at 6 months. I threw a 1/2 birthday, I thought about it for a few months, invited my parents (so a total of 5 people). We ate Calzone (1/2 pizza and had a 1/2 gallon of icecream. I could have done more making the plates 1/2 and decorated more, but for me it was enough and still a theme. We had a great time, and from there I have built up a bit more every year while still comfortable. Not counting Christmas and Thanksgiving, my last thematic party was for Isaac's 3rd birthday, and we had 13 guests. The biggest party I had was Josiah's last year (Nemo) and was 17 people.
Invites- I always discuss the theme with the guests, and what time would work best, since we have only a limited amount of people I want to make sure it will work for everyone. I have made invites from construction paper, bought generic ones and used them for different parties (just by putting a different sticker on the front changed the theme!, I got them for about $.99 for a pack of 12, and only inviting 2 other families I can use the left over invites again later). I have also bought themed invites, like Veggie Tales, or Bob The builder. Make sure the save the extra invites, from the Veggie Tales set I was able to decorate a serving tray (made from a planter box), and even the cake, you could also use them to decorate thank-you notes and more. In the invites make sure to put WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE< and include any information like bringing something, your phone number, if you want them to dress up etc.
WHEN- Make sure all or the majority of your guests can attend, sometimes this might mean throwing a party not on the date you would wish. You also don't have to have a birthday party in the afternoon, or only invite people over in the evening, just make sure the time works for everyone.
After I know the approximate number of people and ages etc I plan these-
FOOD- are you just doing cake? a full meal? If doing a full meal consider asking guests to bring items. I am a great proponent of potluck style parties. For the Breakfast, I had my parents pick up OJ on their way over, the neighbors make a coffee cake, and I made sausage and eggs. For the Puppy Dog Picnic.. you guessed it hot dogs and other picnic food, my mom made brought dip and chips., my neighbor made a couple salads. Notice there are things they can bring even if they don't have time to cook. For the Bob the Builder, we did build your own tacos (Becky's idea) I provided the hamburger and seasoning, my parents brought chips and dip, neighbor brought onion and tomatoes and tortillas, and Becky brought grated cheese. It was the first party we had with other children outside our family and was planned to have 12 people, but ended up with partying two separate days because my parents couldn't make it. If you have alot of people coming and plan to need alot of food, think of cheap food, like buying turkey when it is on sale during thanksgiving time and freeze it and doing a BBQ.
- Note about Cake- Often one of these is cheaper than another, and it may depend on your guests and the # as to which you pick. I have done it differently for different parties. One party was a coffee cake, another the apple cake (see recipe), other homemade cakes, sometimes a mix and a frosting, othertimes a store bought cake (yes sometimes it is cheapest). For Josiah's 2nd birthday I did a storebought 9"round cake (which was plenty for the 10 or less guests, I decorated using paper characters cut out of the invites) It was on sale for $2.99, saved me alot of time and it was cheaper than box, and since chocolate was cheaper than making. Also don't rule out other types of desert, some people like pie better for example. There are many ways to decorate a cake, for those that have never done it before, my best suggestion here is scour the internet. Last year I made toppers for the boys out of Marzipan (an almond paste), but if you can't mold things a plastic toy would work just as well. For examples for Isaac's Bob the Builder Birthday I made a cake, frosted it brown and put a dump truck on it with yellow line for the road and his name on it, with brown M&M's in the back of the truck, the sides turned out funky so I covered them with ice cream topping that looked like gravel.
PARTY FAVORS- I love giving party favors, though not a necessity they are often cheaper and funner than most hostesses think. For this one, after I dig around in my house and think about what others would like to receive, I hound the dollar store. For Isaac's Froggy party picked up a froggy bathmit, froggy bath gels etc. I had a favor bag for Josiah, and Brianna (my niece the only other child invited). For the rest (adults and teens) I made ONE favor bag with bath items, and a froggy bathmit. To get the bag, we played a game (froggy fact or fiction). I gave each person a lilypad to write answers on (paper cut into the shape of a lily pad), and printed off questions from online to ask regarding frogs, ranging from easy to hard, written so everyone would at least get a couple). For Josiah's Veggie Tale Birthday I made a centerpiece out of veggies in a clean planter pot and put a face on the tomato and cucumber the winner of a guess how many peas won the centerpiece. So think about what you have on hand, whether bath items, kitchen supplies, coffee mugs that look new that you don't want/use, cute baskets with soaps, or even consumables from your garden, or rice krispy treats in the shape of the theme (like dog bones, wrap in plastic wrap and put a ribbon on them, for the Puppy Picnic theme). So no, you don't have to give everyone a gift, you can have one and they "win" it. or a combination of the two.
ACTIVITIES-Think about the ages of your guests. I like having the parents instead of all children parties. I like to invite the whole families over. So find activities everyone would enjoy. I have done a pinata, water gun fight, fact quiz, guess how many etc. Think beyond the typical pin the tail on the donkey.. unless you have a mexican or farm or donkey theme ;). Also you don't need more than a game or two, opening presents, and eating take a lot of time, not to mention just talking and the kids playing.
2 weeks before party
Send out invites
1 week before party
Call and confirm, double check all supplies, make them accessible, and do shopping for anything you still need. Finish all decorations, wrap all kids presents.
Week of the party
RELAX, space out what needs to be done. Shop for last minute food you need fresh.
Two days before the party-
Do deep cleaning, carpet clean, dust etc.
Day before the party
Make the cake, clean the house, cook anything you can precook. (option you can decorate this day, but for me I like doing it the morning of)
Party Day-
Decorate the cake, decorate the house, cook food if needed, but most of all relax
IDEAS- If you need inspiration go online and print out coloring pages or craft ideas. There is a great website called birthdaypartyideas.com of which I have submitted ideas and won a prize even! For me the 6 months are plenty of time to get ideas pretty flushed out. DO not be discouraged though if you can not do them all! Start with the things you don't want to be without like a cake, or certain decorations, and go from there. If you need more items for the party, look to the dollar stores, or deals only, then check out Oriental Trading.com. But go slow so you have time to think, if something in your house will work, or if you can borrow it instead of purchasing it.
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Dec. 27, 2006 Christmas 2006
Lots happened over Christmas, it is actually February when I am typing this all up, so it is a work in progress. But I posted it on this date so it would be in chronological order.
Traditionally for Christmas we have always (my family..dh and the boys) have hosted my parents, sister and niece Christmas eve. Usually it is quite splendid fare, and new recipes. One year I did , This year was different. So we didn't have Christmas Eve dinner together.
My sister and her fiance and her family had to pick up all their girls from the previous SO's. So they couldn't make it. We all changed our plans, which sat fine with me, but other family issues were brewing around this time so it was a hard time.
Instead on Christmas day my family opened our stockings, and then my parents came and we all opened presents together, and had Christmas dinner together. Instead of the fancy fare, I did a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and more. It turned out good, but wish I could have done a great selection of recipies I found in Better Homes and Gardens. Trouble was I didn't know who to expect till the last minute, so had to make an economic decision.
However we all had a great time, especially the boys, which is the most important thing. Dh didn't get me any presents, not even the ornament we usually exchange. That did upset me.. Even though he said we weren't exchanging I still got him things, but ended up with all the coupons and gift coupons, only spent $3.00 including the ornament which I got this summer at Crater Lake. When DS..1 and I went down to my sister's SOU graduation. Crater Lake is a most wonderfully beautiful place, if you are ever in Oregon, it is a must see.
For the kids we wanted to get the boys a ride-on electric car or jeep etc. But, the one we found that was the most awsome, a John Deer with a dumpbed from Prego was about $300 at Walmart. So I talked to my parents and they said they would pitch in 1/2! So we were able to get the boys it for Christmas. Thanks mom and dad! The boys love their big toy, I had planned to get it when they were born. Meaning I planned out every Christmas one big gift for them to share. Not sure what we are doing next year. Last year was a trainset. We got Geotrax, which are awsome they are heavy duty plastic, but electric. Normally they are about $16 per small set, well we got a huge box full, over 100 pieces easy, for $100 on ebay! It was perfect. They also play with it all the time.
So all in all it was a wonderful Christmas, I just am a sucker for tradition. |
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About Me
I am a-
Christian wife and Momma of two, artist, daughter, poet, baker, hiker, granddaughter, gardener, homemaker, dog owner, college graduate, sister, smiler, lover, friend, sommersaulter, swinger (as in swings!), aunt, creator, researcher, bather (I love baths), tea drinker, beer brewer, blackberry picker, canner, sewer, quilter, swimmer, riviter see Van's Aircraft RV9-A, and more.
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Art, Poetry with links to my other sites
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I worked in daycare, as a preschool teacher, and at the elementary school as a special needs assistant, and I have a big heart for children.
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Poems have been published in a few small publications. My Original Schoolhouse Thesis for my BS degree in Sociology was published and is in the Linfield College Library.
I have a group of poems I would like to self publish sometime. Other than that I have a novel that has the plot done but lots of discription is not there, but I am bored with it right now.
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homebirthing, vaccinations, homeopathy, herbology, etc.
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I love researching things!
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