The boys 5 + 10 {birthday party 2014}

This will probably be the last time we merge their birthday parties.  And, if that's the case, we hit it out of the park!

As far as the boys knew, they could invite a group of their closest friends from school and sports to come hang out at our house; eat, play, etc...  What they didn't know, is that the Game Truck was going to roll up about 45 minutes into the party and surprise everyone!

Judging by the faces, they had a HORRIBLE time...

We set up a tailgate tent in the front yard, complete with race day flags, referee runners, buckets of Twizzlers and penalty flag-draped lollipops.  Beach chairs, folding chairs, Cornhole, frisbee and a bounce house added to the tailgate experience.  We had coolers loaded with root beer, orange soda, lots of water and a drink dispenser with peach tea (and of course Red Solo Cups!).  The menu included the following:

Philly Pretzel Factory Rivets with Cheese and Chocolate dips

Chicken and Waffle Bites w/Maple Syrup

Mini Crescent-Wrapped Hot Dogs

White Castle Sliders hold everything except the Cheese

Popcorn, Chips, Veggie Straws

I also had a craft table for the few girls that were in attendance.  Sun catcher painting kits from Oriental Trading.  The craft table was slow at first, but the girls, and some moms, were getting creative after awhile...

The guys from Game Truck Princeton made the experience amazing for all in attendance.  We had boys and girls from 3-12ish and they found games for all of them.  

The living room pre-party...

and post-party...

Ref-themed gift bags were given to the children.  Again, Oriental Trading is vital when planning a party like this, I can't say enough.

I also set up a parents game day experience indoors, while the kids were playing the parents enjoyed the following:

Chili Bar with Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream and Hot Peppers

Deli Dip with Italian Bread

Mini Crescent-Wrapped Hot Dogs

Queso Dip and Chips

Hot Popcorn

Wine, Beer, Soda and Water

A Game on the TV and the smiles on their kids faces!

My photos are so sporadic, it was so hectic; I wish I got more.  What I won't forget is the look on the boys faces when the truck came and the elation that carried them through the following days.  I love my boys so much and nothing is so satisfying as providing them with a great time!

Thanks for visiting!

Halloween home tour coming soon!

eerie edibles

photo courtesy of Women's Day

Hubby & I are going to a costume party on Friday (yay~date nite!) and I really want to bring something festive to the hostess. I got these 2 ideas from Women's Day mag and I think I'll give it a whirl. Dip in a Coffin & Bloodshot Deviled Eyeballs. My signature offering for EVERY house party, barbecue, etc., is spinach dip in the typical pumpernickel bread bowl, so I think I can pull this off. The trick will be finding a skeleton or other accessories between now and then. Maybe some gummie worms coming out of the coffin....or is that just too gross?! I love making deviled eggs, too, just gotta find and chop up Pimientos.

In addition, I just found an easy~peasy tip from another follower of Southern Living Mag on facebook....freeze water in rubber/latex gloves, peel off glove once frozen and use frozen hands around fruit or veggie platters. I guess you could even float them in punch, depending on how clean (?) the glove is and if it's not one of the powdered ones. I think I'll give the hostess a hand (or two!!!)

~~~If successful, photos to follow~~~