I WON!!!

I mentioned before that I was going to my friend's annual Halloween/Costume party and that I couldn't think of costumes for us.

The theme was 'A Night at The Movies'.

But last Monday, (kind of last minute since the party was Friday), I came up with an idea.

Thanks to Ebay and fast shipping, we were able to get what we needed.

And so, we went as The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.

Braids by me :)

And guess what?

I WON the Best Costume prize for the girls!!!!

Now, if you had read my previous post, you would know that this is a big deal because Amy For Him ALWAYS wins this prize.

{And BTW, her husband won for the men this year, AGAIN, so we didn't completely take them over}

{And actually, their costumes were once again, AH-MAZ-ING!  So, they kind of deserve to win}

Frodo and Gandolph....see what I mean??  Crazy Good!!

It seriously was such a fun party!  A scavenger hunt (yes, we all went to Wal-greens in costume), games, snacks, and even movie themed prizes.

The hostess with the mostest! Love this girl...and her parties!!

I can't wait to see what next years theme will be!

What are you going as for Halloween this year??

The Ice Cream Extravaganza

Tomorrow my five year old will become a BIG 6 year old.

I'm still in denial about that.

But, I will tell you about the Ice Cream party we had this past weekend to celebrate!

I got this fun idea from Pinterest, (of course I did.  It's like I can't have one original thought anymore!), and I thought it would be perfect for her July birthday!

I had it all planned out.  We would have fun ice cream themed games and decorations and it would all be outside where there is plenty of room for that kind of messiness.

But then Ohio got all confused and thought it was Arizona for a few days.

And it was 105 degrees!!!!

Ummm, change of plans.

Pretty sure kids passing out from heat stroke wouldn't make for happy 6th birthday memories.

So, I ran to Target and got a slip-n-slide and a crazy sprinkler for the kids to play in, called all the parents and told them to bring swimsuits and towels, and set up the decorations and ice cream inside the best I could.

It wasn't *exactly* what I was planning for, but I still think it turned out pretty well.  The kids had a blast and my birthday girl said, "it was the BEST party EVER!".

Couldn't ask for more than that :)

Here are the details from the day...

We did pin the nose on the clown game first.  I had planned for pin the cherry on the sundae, but that didn't happen.

Then we read the story "The Ice Cream King" by Steve Metzger.

After that, it was time to sing to the birthday girl!  I had mini cupcakes for the kids, so she got to blow out her candle with those.

Then it was time for ice cream!

Toppings included: Chocolate, strawberry and caramel syrup, bananas, strawberries, crushed oreos, mini chocolate chips, gummy worms, m&m's, sprinkles, cherries and whipped cream.

We also had cones in case someone preferred that.

After eating, it was time for water games, and then the pinata, and then gifts.

And of course, after gifts the kids just wanted to play in the water again.

I don't blame them because I did too!

The ice cream table!

The fun ice cream bowls I found!

                                                     

 

for decorations, I made "sundaes" out of tissue paper and red pom-poms.

Birthday Cupcakes

My sweet girl and her Sundae creation!

Kids enjoying their treats

Water fun!

Whack!

Such a fun group of kids!

Red, White, And Blue

How do you plan to celebrate the 4th??

Our plans are still up in the air, which I actually don't mind at all.

All I *do* know is that I'm going to have to march in a parade in about 100 degree heat with approximately 50 little girls, which should be a TON of fun!

If I make it the whole way without passing out, I may just decide to come home and call it a day.

They deliver pizza on the 4th, right?!


Anyhoo...if you have fun plans and need a little inspiration or help, feel free to take a look at my Pinterest Board full of Patriotic goodness. 

Here's hoping you have a happy and safe 4th of July!!

Top Ten Tuesday: Homemade Valentines for Kids

I have a confession to make:

I have NEVER made homemade valentines for my children to hand out.

{Gasp!  I know, you can hardly believe it! :) }

But it's true.  I'm always that mom that is at Walgreens at 8pm the night before my kids valentines party trying to find an acceptable cartoon valentine that my kids won't be too embarrassed to hand out.

I don't know why I procrastinate on this task every year.

Maybe it's because I never had great valentines to hand out as a kid, (my mom was a procrastinator too when it came to valentines...)

Maybe it's because I think it's ridiculous to spend $10 on silly cards PLUS then you have to buy candy, (BTW, I have learned that you NEVER give out a valentine without candy attached.  That's like Valentines 101 nowadays!), when kids only care about the candy anyway.

Or maybe it's just because I'm a procrastinator.

But for whatever reason, I never seem to be able to get it together.

But this year, I'm giving it the old college try and am going to attempt to make homemade valentines with my girls.

Preferably before February 13th at 8pm.

So here are the Top Ten ideas I have found for homemade Valentines:


10.  I "Wheelie" Like You.  This is a great valentine for a boy!




source



9.  You are O"Fish"ally The Best.  You could do this with Swedish fish or Goldfish crackers!




source



8.  I Like The Way You Roll.  For the gangsta in all of us...




source



7.  Every Day I Like You S'more.  Who doesn't like S'mores??




source



6.  You're Just WRITE for me.  Cute idea, especially if you can't don't want to give candy.  (But remember what I said about Valentines 101...)




source



5.  I'm Bursting with happiness That You're My Friend.  This is cute and not too mushy!




source



4.  You Sure Are Kool.  Very Clever, and Kool-aid packs are cheap, which is a plus for momma!




source



3.  I'm a Sucker For You.  Would be cute with a heart shaped lolly pop.




source





2.  I Really Dig You Valentine.  Another cute idea and you could really put any kind of candy in the shovel.



source



1.  You Color My World.  SUCH a creative idea!  You melt down crayons and then cool them in heart shaped molds to create a marbled crayon to give away!  How fun is that?!



source



Do you have some creative homemade valentine ideas to share? 

I will be linking up with Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday and We are THAT Family for Works for Me Wednesday.  Be sure to check them out!

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer Birthday Party Ideas for Kids

I know you might be thinking that it's too early to be planning a summer birthday party, but I would disagree.

First of all because it gets you thinking warm thoughts, and that alone is a good enough reason.

But also because the earlier you start planning, the more money you can save, (by buying when things are on sale instead of last minute!), and the more organized you can be!

So here is my list of Top ten Summer Birthday Party Ideas for kids!


10. A Swimming/Beach theme!  My friend over at Amy for Him did this last year and it was a HUGE success.  She decorated with sand and shells and gave out sand pails filled with treats for the favors.  The kids loved it!

picture via: http://amyforhim.blogspot.com/

9.  A Camping theme!  All kids love the adventure of camping, and I'm sure that this would be a big hit, especially with boys!  Some ideas are to have a bonfire and lets the kids roast hot dogs and marshmallows, (or you could even have a smores bar!), decorate with lanterns and canteens etc., and have a big tent set up that the kids could play in!  Here's a site with some fun ideas!

picture via: http://www.eventlucky.com/?p=4181

8. A Carnival theme!  This is a great idea for young children!  You could have different carnival style games set up (ring toss, fish for the prize, cake walk, etc.), and serve carnival treats like popcorn and cotton candy! 

picture via: http://bellyfeathersparty.blogspot.com/2010/10/carnival-party-ideas.html

7.  A Park Party!  This is a great idea if you can't/don't want to have the party at your home.  Most local parks have shelters that you can rent and the entertainment is already built in!  These are easy because you can order pizza or can do food picnic style!

picture via: http://tbkidsclothing.com/tag/childrens-birthday-party/

6.  Hawaiian Luau Party!  This is great for girls who are a little older.  My sister did this for my niece and sent invitations like a message in a bottle, and decorated with lots of bright colors and fresh flowers!  The food should be tropical and don't forget the music and lei's!  Here's a site if you need a little help with the planning!

5.  Summer Garden Party!  This is a really sweet theme with lots of possibilities.  You could do fun finger foods, different flavored lemonades, and lots of plants and fresh flowers around. 

picture via: http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/sweet-customers-chloes-flower-garden-first-birthday-party/

4.  Pirate Theme!  This can be done both indoors and outdoors, but boys will definitely love getting into this theme.  Make sure to have head scarves and eye patches for all the kids and do games with a pirate theme.  You could download the Pirates of The Caribbean theme music and if you're really into it, build a pirate ship out of cardboard for the kids to play in!

gift bag via: http://littlelazy.purposemedia.co.uk/toys-games/party-time/pirate-party-bags

3.  Water Fun!  This is a great party for super hot days!  You can do different water games like water balloon toss, slip-n-slide,  dancing through the sprinkler, a water obstacle course, and end the day with a fun water fight! 

2.  Outdoor Olympics Theme!  This is a great one for boys and girls!  You set up tons of games that the kids compete in Olympic style.  Some suggestions are:  Sack races, badminton, relay races, balance beam walking, and discus throw!   Make sure and have lots of medals to give out, and trophies, banners and the ceremonial torch for decorations. Here is a site that has lots of suggestions!

1. An Ice Cream Social!  This is the one I am planning to do with my daughter this year (she'll be six!).  I am still thinking through ideas, but for sure we will have an ENORMOUS ice cream sundae bar, an ice cream cone pinata, and ice cream themed games like pin the cherry on the sundae.  Because summer and ice cream just go perfect together!

picture via: http://www.theblueowl.com/maryssweetshoppe/icecreambday.php

So tell me, do you have a summer birthday theme to share? 


I'll be linking up with Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday and We are THAT Family!  Be sure to check them out!   

Top Ten Tuesday: Superbowl Food

Congrats to The Patriots and The Giants for making it to The Superbowl!!!

And I only know that those are the teams going because my husband told me :)

I'm not really into watching The Superbowl, but I am into going to Superbowl Parties!

And you can't really show up at a Superbowl party without a delicious dish...so I have some suggestions for you!

These are my top ten picks for yummy treats to share at your Superbowl gathering:

10.  Pepperoni Pizza Puffs!  Everybody wants pizza but with all the goodies to try, it's hard to fit in a whole slice.  These are the perfect way to get that pizza fix in a small bite!

 

9.  Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili!  Chili is a MUST for any Superbowl Party!  This is a different take on a standard and it is soooo good!

8.  Buckeye Brownies!  No party would be complete without something decadent and sweet.  These buckeye brownies are just that with peanut butter and chocolate chips to take ordinary brownies to a whole new level!

7.  Baked Buffalo Wings!  Wings and football go hand in hand  I have heard marvelous things about this baked version, and I can't wait to try them!

6.  Feta Dip!  Dips are all the rage for parties, but having the same old taco and buffalo chicken dip can get boring.  This is a great way to mix it up!

5.  Hawiian Sweet Roll Ham Sandwiches!  These sandwiches take the place of those tired old hoagies.

4.  Bacon Jalepeno Poppers!  These are a homemade version with cresant rolls and bacon.  Who doesn't love bacon??

3.  Pulled Pork with Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce!  These would be perfect served on slider buns!

2.  Individual Veggies and Dip!  For the healthy eaters at the party, (who invited them, anyway?), this is a fun way to serve the veggies.  Everyone gets their own cup and they can double dip as much as they want!

1.  Beer Punch!  Because the men want beer and the women want girly drinks. 

I will be linking up with Oh Amanda!  for Top Ten Tuesday and We are THAT Family for Worls for me Wednesday!.  Be sure to check them out!