Tag: mommyblogger

How to throw a Party!

Raina Birden2 Comments

So many graduations! We have had and have the privilege of raising our 3 children along with our 5 nieces & nephews. (See previous blog for that story!) We have watched 7 of our children walk down the graduation aisle. But with graduation comes the Graduation Party, right? I have put together quite a few parties in the last 6 years. So I thought I would share with you some highlights and ideas for your next party.

I like to have the graduate pick a theme. Two of my boys knew exactly what they wanted to do for their parties, but it was a little more of challenge with the other children.

What to think about when you are organizing your party:

  1. Theme
  2. Location
  3. Food
  4. Dessert
  5. Entertainment/Music/Visual
  6. Decorations
  7. Guest list

My first child’s graduation party was a “Pool Party”, this pool party was in Oregon, and if you live in Oregon you know how unpredictable the weather is. You can count on rain, but sun is another story. So we delayed his party until August hoping for a warm party. We rented out a local community pool, and we decided on a potluck style dinner. All our friends pitched in and brought a dish. My husband set up a screen and projector to show our sons “through the years” video I created. For every graduate I create a video highlighting them from birth to the present time. We had some speakers for the video and to listen to music. I bought a bunch of waterproof disposable cameras for the guests to have fun taking photos. It was a little bit on the cold side that day but the pool was heated and the kids had a blast.

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Our second son graduated in Arizona and chose skating as his theme. We rented out a local skating rink. The rink provided pizza & drinks. Dessert was Sprinkles Cupcakes at the request of our son. It was a very easy party to host and a lot of fun for everyone.

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The last three parties we have hosted, have been at our home. Our niece wanted a “Pool Party”.   We dressed up the yard with tiki torches and some twinkle lights on the fence. The boys put up a volleyball net on the grass. We used the screen and projector for her video of course and we used it to watch a movie later in the evening. We BBQ’ed hamburgers & hotdogs and she requested “Nothing Bundt Cakes” for dessert. I have found that with all the other food I have to make and the party prep that getting dessert from somewhere else is not such a bad idea. 🙂

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We had a year break then my daughter and nephew graduated together. After much discussion they decided on a “Carnival” theme party. A couple friends really helped me pull this one off. We made carnival games, rented a dunk tank, popcorn and cotton candy machines. We found a great idea on pinterest for a Italian soda bar. This party had everything! Our second son dressed as a clown until he was dunked in the dunk tank! We created a photo booth, had a yummy candy table and of course we had dessert and this time it was Sprinkles again. Do you see a theme here? We decorated with the Carnival theme everywhere as you will see in the pictures below. This party was definitely the most work but it was well worth it!

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Whew! That was a lot of work and now we are to the year 2015. “Hawaiian”  was the theme for our newest graduate. We went all out for this one too. Hawaiian decorations, photo booth, candy table, pulled pork on Hawaiian rolls along with a lot of other food. Dessert was “Nothing Bundt Cake”! You can see all the decor in the pictures below. It was again a fun party filled with family and friends.

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Whew, that was a lot of work and fun! We have one more child to go, but I get a 4 year break before we plan her graduation. I hope this gives you some fun ideas for your next party.

“Darling, it wouldn’t be a party without you.”
~ Unknown

He Finished It!

Raina Birden2 Comments

Have any of you ever written a book? It sounds great and wonderful. But after watching my husband go through the process. I am not sure I want to tackle that any day soon. I applaud those of you who have taken on this task.

My husband, JJ, wrote his first book this last year, “When Opportunity Knocks, 8 Surefire Ways to Take Advantage”, amid his other countless responsibilities. I am so proud of what he has accomplished. He started out with a bang of writing but with all the things that have to be taken care of when you are providing for a very large family the writing had to take a back seat. He had to write in the small pockets left over. There were times we would have a little mini staycation, meaning we used points and went to a local hotel so he could write. Those times were very productive for him. He was able to stay focused on his writing. I have to admit they weren’t so bad for me either. I love a good book but don’t get the chance to read very often, so I took those times to catch up on my reading or work on my own projects. One large project last year was graduation videos. I create a graduation video for each graduating senior and I had two last year, so that was a good time to focus on that. I will have to share my process with you sometime. We have another senior this year so I am deep into that along with everything else. 🙂

JJ has always wanted to write a book. He has had some great experiences in his life that have made into some great stories for the chapters of his book. He has had to go through some tough obstacles, but he never let those challenges take him down. His book highlights those experiences and he shows us how he overcame them but also how to help us to overcome our own challenges in able to succeed. Here is an excerpt taken from his website that sums up his book:

book-cover

Throughout JJ’s life, he has dealt with many obstacles. Yet he has never allowed those obstacles to prevent him from achieving success on various levels.

For instance, during his quest to reach the NFL, many people said at 5’10” and 157 lbs, he was too small to play a big man’s game. Instead of allowing such negativity to break his focus, he used it as fuel to prove the doubters wrong, and went on to have a very successful NFL career.

JJ says, “I have met so many people over the years, who could have achieved some amazing things. Yet they allowed someone or the day-to-day challenges of life to get in the way. Therefore, they spend the rest of their life in a state of regret. In life we all have opportunities, no matter who we are, where we come from or our personal situation. The question is do we seize these opportunities and when we do, do we take advantage of them? My goal with this book is to share 8 key principles to help anyone seize their opportunities in life.”

I have had my small part in his book writing process. Besides being his cheerleader, I have been with him for most of his meetings with his mentor & editor, Dr. Will Moreland. I have also helped work with our book cover designer, Ruby James, which I have to say for me is the best part! Now I will have a part in getting the books into the hands of his readers. We just launched autographed pre-orders! It is very exciting times!

I hope all of you will check out my husbands new book, you won’t be disappointed. I think that JJ’s former Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Coach Al Saunders who wrote the forward says it best:

 “This book certainly is not exclusively for the sports fan. Professional football just happened to be a passion JJ had and the National Football League the platform that was presented to realize one of his dreams. The reader will find it speaks to anyone who truly has a desire to succeed, a unique talent to develop or difficult challenge to overcome.

 Whether young or old, male or female, amateur or professional JJ’s words will motivate, inspire and challenge you to be the very best you can be in every phase of your life. He presents a plan for you to take advantage of those opportunities that can make a positive difference.” 

Here is a link if you would like to pre-order “When Opportunity Knocks, 8 Surefire Ways to Take Advantage!”

Have a fabulous week!

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
― Maya Angelou