Birthday Party Fun

8th Birthday: Jama, me, Belinda, and Mikael

Today was a fun day at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). We had a guest speaker today who had a business in birthday party planning, and I could have sat and listened to her talk for another full hour -- fascinating! She provided a wealth of information and examples related to choosing a theme, planning party activities (with built-in transitions), conducting the birthday "circle" for the gift time, decorations, food, crafts, and even creative ways to handle the misbehaviors of little party guests.

Although I have yet to plan a birthday party of this magnitude, it's nice to have some information and ideas to use when planning. Who knew there could be such a great "birthday party formulary?!)

And then at our table we had further discussion around birthday traditions, and what birthdays were like for us growing up. I remember my birthday party from when I turned 8. I was joined by just a few friends, though I recall others had perhaps been invited. These were my friends who were my best friends on up until I graduated from high school, and two of them were brides maids in my wedding. You see, I don't think we remember all of the gifts we got, but I think we remember our time well spent enjoying the company of good friends. I am always wise to consider this as a parent moving forward.

As a fun element in our morning, each table was decorated with a birthday party theme by one of the moms. For those of you with girls: one of the table themes was a cheerleader theme -- the mom said she had UW cheerleaders come to her daughter's party and teach yells and do face decal painting and gave the girls purple and gold pom pons. And it was free because college cheerleaders can't charge for this. You could also get local high school cheerleaders and donate money to their club fund.

And to cap off our fun morning, a cake decorator spent time with us talking about icing cakes. We each had 2 practice cupcakes, and I learned about using thin rice paper to trace designs to then decorate a cake with much more detail using edible food markers-- wow, who knew?! And I even learned how to make a rose, not that I'll be needing that for any boy birthday cakes, but fun to learn, nonetheless!

It was such a pleasure to spend the morning with other moms, gathering ideas for my mommy toolbox.

A Few More Pumpkin Pics

Mom, Don't make me pose for a picture!

Let's haul 'em in for a weighing!

Mom and Colin.

3 Years of Tradition

Pick a Pumpkin

This past weekend we did our annual outing to Jubilee Farm, the fantastic pumplin patch we have now vsited three years in a row (that makes it an annual tradition now, I suppose.)

This year we had the best weather ever -- sunny with no rain or mist and in the mid to high 50's. There was a crisp feeling of fall in the air as we rode on the hayride out to the actual pumpkin patch.

Colin enjoyed checking out all of the pumpkins and was none to interested in posing with mom or dad for the photo op, but we "got 'em," nonetheless. We staked our claim on 3 larger pumpkins and 3 ever-so-cute mini (tennis ball-sized) pumpkins. And on the way back to the farm, we were fortunate to get to ride the wagon led by a team of horses...very cool!

Back at the main farm, Colin enjoyed watching the pumpkin catapult, but wasn't too sure about feeding the pony. The chickens and turkey, however, were pretty cool. We were also lucky the farm served brats and corn on the cob, great Colin lunch food! He was a happy boy, indeed!

Tea and Dancing Lions

This past weekend was a fun and busy weekend.

I was pleased to join other moms of boys only at a tea party hosted by a friend. What a fabulous idea! We were encouraged to wear our pearls, hats, and gloves, but alas I only had pearls.

What a great time we all had as we all sat around place settings of my friend's Great-Grandmother's china and talked about being a mom to boys and how things are different, and in some ways special. This was a delightful time of ladies chit-chat. Who says moms of little girls are the only ones who can enjoy tea parties?

Then later that evening Matt and I enjoyed a night out at a local healthsystem's Gala, which was fully decorated in a "Good Fortune, Good Health" Chinese theme. In addition to an elegant dinner and auction, we enjoyed a performance by a Chinese lion dance group, which is always interesting to observe. Indeed, it was fun to get dressed-up and go into the city for an adult-only event.

What a Week!

What a week, right? I feel like I have been glued to cnbc.com, waiting on Congressional votes, and listening to commentary from various financial and economic folks as they talk about this financial crisis.

As a former banker, I have watched so closely to understand this impact on credit, which has been so easily doled out over the past few years. I know. I was there.

And then I think to our grandparents and great grandparents who lived through the Great Depression. It forever changed them. My Grandma never let anything go to waste, a sign of this mentality.

So how are we forever changed? Will we cease to live beyond our means? Will we start to value relationships with people rather than acquiring "things" and spending money we don't have?

As you hunker down for the storm, what is important to you?

Talking Trees

Heard on a neighborhood walk this week with Colin as we stopped to listen to trees and their leaves rustling in the breeze, "Talk, talk, talk."

I never thought of it that way, but the trees were talking to us.