'parties' FILED

while unpacking the office, I’m dejunking papers that sit in filing systems never referenced.  but there was one file I just couldn’t throw away... it was labeled 'parties'.  I love throwing a party.  I love hosting friends who engage in general silliness with us and I especially love planning a party with my hubby.  please allow me to electronically document some party fun and party friends from the past.*

the office trivia party was a blast for like-minded friends.  Dundee awards were given; appeteasers (chilis themed foods) served; flonkertin relays played (a coffee mug filled with water relay) and an awards ceremony (complete with yogurt lid medals); and of course prizes to include a homemade candle, stapler in jello, and fake springsteen tix.

 



a few baby showers- the 50s themed I love lucie party for an upcoming with the same name; a double the fun open house for twins; and a co-planned baby relay race with many contestants pregnant themselves.

 

a competitive match of battle of the sexes (lake powell edition) - ie. what is the assigned buoy for the houseboat? who has the oldest lifejacket?

a half birthday party for friends with overlooked holiday birthdays with half a minute to win it games and a variety of half used, half wrapped, or split in half gifts.

 a couple years of easter fun with easter egg hunting and party games for the adults as well.

 

 

the dinner murder mystery is perhaps overdone but always a blast! with a hawaiin theme, all guests got a mug shot in their super creative personalities, dined with caution tape décor, and had magnifying glasses for super sleuthing.

dave's own partying desires make up where i lack- adult halloween costumes.  every year he makes us dress up for halloween whether i like it or not!

 

I threw a super cheesy party for the big cheeses in my life who share an august birthday- complete with a cake shaped like a cheese wedge.  here we are with a few cheesy pics in the photobooth.

dave and I’s party planning began while serving as activity committee chairs in our byu married ward.  we held a dodgeball tournament (in honor of the movie); our heptatholon event was quite laborious but tons of fun; a get costumed Halloween party in which all who entered were given a costume; and a valentines activity complete with the newlywed game.

 

a quick nod to fun kids themed parties- they are so open to overdone cutesieness!

 

 

and every fabulous cardclub planned itself!

 

 

 *disclaimer: this post does NOT include the outhosted awesome parties i was invited to!

her endless pasttime

meet sophie and squirmy

meet sophie and squirmy... the two-day pets Kindin and Jack collected while weeding the front lawn.  sophie (jack's worm)  is 'so cute' (said in a baby coo) and strong after surviving a splitting!
squirmy (kindin's pet) was afforded all extravagances including grass to eat, dirt to play in and water to drink. 

sophie and squirmy aside, all 3 children have become quite fascinated and fearless with all living creatures. they've had to be tutored about the bugs that 'suck your blood' (mosquitos) and supervised after having handled a tick!

camo fears

in the midst of his older sister's worries, jack's rare, minuscule fears often go unnoticed.  (although he is currently wrestling with how everyone in the whole city can possibly hear the 'tomado' warning siren.)  but recently, there was a restaurant conversation that went like this:

(enters man dressed in full camo)
stover boy: 'mom is that a real army guy?'
mom: 'yes.'
stover boy (with hesitancy in his voice): 'no it's not- just pretend.'
mom (still unaware): 'no he is probably a real army guy.' 
stover boy: 'is he going to kill us?'

NOISE, SCREAM, LOUD!

over the move, our little one has gotten LOUDER!   i'm sure two temporary houses (one housing 5 additional children) , a vacation, her older sister off to school, and an entirely new home all in the space of 6 weeks has only contributed to her NOISE.

she communicates (YELLS) all the time now - 'co' (cold), 'din' (drink), 'wet', 'puppy', 'bir' (bird), 'baby', 'stinny' (stinky), and 'color' are her favorite words currently.  she answers (BLURTS) appropriately with 'yes' and 'no' and 'okay'.  she has (LOUD) tantrums/ (FITS) when frustrated!  and she retorts (SCREAMS MURDER) at her brother when he approaches.

non-noise milestones reached over the move include:
independance at the park since conquering stairs and slides.
one nap a day status which equals a little more grump 
self- sufficient at the table and eats without an adult next to her on most days!
can sit for almost an hour at the table coloring with markers with kindin
waves and attempts to converse with all passing strangers

 

second day

kindin missed her first day of first grade due to a nasty fever. 

but, there's a lot to be said about attending the second day of school rather than the first, right? you get to show up in your fancy first day duds while others are already wearing the graphic tees their moms despise, you get front door service while everyone else is getting a measly curb drop, you get a pronounced introduction rather than a quick mention during a name game...
...here's to a great second day!

       

dad's truck vs. grandpa's truck

as a kid, i wanted so badly to be inside my dad's 18 wheeler.  he often came home for lunches- leaving it parked but running in the center of the culdesac.  i almost always asked but the answer was always a firm 'no'... a temptation parked within reach. 
fast forward a few years- routine still in tact- same dad (aka grandpa) comes home for lunch and the question asked this time by grandkids is answered with an easy "yes!"...  yes!???!  yes???? 

deja vu at the alma mater

we attended a juggling show (photos not included) suggested by my personal concierge (aka my sister in law) who has pointed us in the right direction many times while bunking at my mom's house.  (of note: she also had the kids catching chickens by the tail.) the juggler performed at the elementary school i attended for grades 3-6.  it was surreal to see the kids playing on my old stomping grounds- immediately, it had me remembering four square games and tetherball tournaments, gigling about kickball games and crossing guard corners, and reminiscing about flag ceremonies and hot lunches.