Safari Party

Last Monday, I pulled my back out while cleaning the shower. Clearly a sign from above that I should not be doing any type of housework ever again! I was on 800mg Ibuprofen round the clock for 5 days until...

I caught a cold and started hacking and I lost my voice for 2 days. I have now moved onto the "going through a box of tissues every few hours" stage. So much for having some time off from my party planning business. Last weekend was my first open weekend since February. I really wanted to start some sewing projects with my daughter and help her earn her sewing badge for Girl Scouts along with a few projects around the house that have been neglected for far too long.

So as I recover, check out this adorable safari 1st birthday celebration by No Fuss Fabulous!

Summer Traditions

4 years ago, I organized a family reunion for my mom's side of the family. It was held at the family farmhouse in Herington, Kansas. My grandmother's sisters were born in that house!

We had family join us from California (my family), New Mexico and AFB in Germany. Some of the activities we had were sack races, family history quiz (mostly about great-grandparents who first owned the farm) and a water balloon toss.

These are all of my family members representing my grandmother and her 3 sister's families. Each family wore matching outfits to show what branch of the family they were from. My family wore Disney's Snow White and the 7 dwarf personalized shirts (beacuase there were 8 of us) and we represented California (where Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios are located).

When we were filling the water balloons with the garden hose, needless to say, we all got a bit wet. I just found this handy dandy Pumpanator (designed by a 4th grader) to fill balloons with water or air. I bought one here in red and it comes with 500 balloons. Now you can let the kids fill their own balloons and leave you inside the house to eat bon bons. Happy 4th of July!

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Katy of The Country Blossom! She won my 300th post giveaway that includes a DVD copy of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and some of my party favors from my Mad Hatter tea party. Thanks to everyone who entered and visits my blog on a regular basis. I have met some great people in cyberspace and I really appreciate all of you!

Time is running out!

You only have a few hours left to enter my 300th post giveaway! Ends at midnight tonight. Winner announced tomorrow!

Toy Story Backyard Movie

Thursday night, we hosted our 3rd backyard movie of the summer. Toy Story is one of my favorite movies and I know every word. In addition to our usual candy raflle, I also gave away Toy Story popcorn (Walmart), Toy Story gummi, candy dips and ring pops (Walmart), Toy Story sand molds and Toy Story movie poster and paints (Dollar Tree). All guests got a ticket for coming and a ticket for each food item that wil be delivered to a local food pantry.

Sheridan had fun setting up the army men around the table.

I made these cute little green alien men from Disney Family.

I used children's blocks as a plate stand for the cupcakes and barrel of monkeys were hanging from the chandelier.

I took my kids to see Toy Story 3 on Monday and I cried like a baby. The story begins when Andy is 17 and leaving for college. It hit very close to home because of the picture above, Matthew was 6 and Chasen was 2 when they were Buzz and Woody for Halloween in 2000. Buzz and Woody were Matthew's favorite and the Woody used in the tablescape was Matthew's from when he was 3. Buzz and RC are somewhere in the garage.

You only have a few more days to enter my 300th post giveaway!

National Backyard Campout

My family will be camping in the backyard Saturday night. It is something we have done for several years during the summer. I just found out that there is a day devoted to backyard camping. Won't you join us?

National Fairy Day

June 24th is National Fairy Day! Did you know that? Sheridan and I have been friends of fairies for many years. We have read the Fairy Houses series many times. (Fairy Houses, Fairy Boat and Fairy Flight)

Sheridan and I go on nature walks to collect items to build our own fairy house. We always follow the rules of the forest to keep the building to code. Never pick living plants or flowers, don't use unnatural things i.e.- jewelry, bottle caps, etc. and only use things found on the ground.

After we build our fairy house, we celebrate with a fairy tea party out in the garden. The next day, there always seems to be some golden mushrooms that spring up near the fairy house. That is how we know that the fairies have been to the house and leave us a little thank you.

I love this self contained fairy garden I found on etsy.

This is a miniature fairy table set. Too cute! I hope you will do something to celebrate fairy day! Please come back to let me know what you have done. A link to pictures is always fun, too.

Happy Fairy Day!
There are a few more days to enter my 300th post giveaway.