The Best Party

There is nothing like hearing, "Mom that was the best party", as your to-be-7-year-old stands there with a big smile and a football under each arm. The amount of time and energy I spent on that party was completely worth it once I heard those words. We ended up having it at the church, who woulda thought? Scott. We were in the giant room that Kids Blast is in, so a lot of running around space. Scott pulled out the portable hoop (I'll be hearing about that later, uh-oh), a Foosball table and the Wii. There was a little something for everyone.

As I'm talking with a couple of the moms, in walk 5 CSU football players. I was so distracted. One literally looked like a superhero. He should have had a shiny suit and a cape, somewhat like Superman... or Scott. Anyway, Scott had talked to his co-worker and friend Reza about the possibility of a CSU Ram coming to help do some football drills. To which he said, I have one right here, I'll let you know. We thought one, maybe two would come... but we had 5. And the quarterback to boot!! See Tennison, the QB is the guy to be - he is always protected (until he gets sacked) and look, this one is so nice!

Down, set, hike birthday boy!

Huddle up!

They started playing basketball with the kids at the hoop, Foosball with Tennison's buddy Brandon, and then headed up a game of flag football. They were the best! It was a topper that we hadn't really expected.

 

The cupcakes we delicious, the popcorn girls - Whitney and Courtney - were amazing, the gifts were so generous, and the birthday boy was incredibly happy. The mom and dad were exhausted and feel grateful to have another year until we plan a boy birthday party, they are full of energy and then some. We went home and started packing for the big Road Trip. Wow, a lot in 24 hours.

Present time!

Tennison, you have a heart of gold, I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you. Always be the best you. By the way, you had your party, but can you please just stay 6?

 I love you a bushel and a peck.

Thanks Rams for making one 7 year old birthday AMAZING!

Cultured

Tuesday was a day of culture! We went to Whitney's play she performed in as part of the drama club at school. She was Ladonna - love the name!! She even got to hand out chips to kids in the play, perfect for our chip lover.

Action!

She was very concerned for this kid.

He had so many lines and she was helping him out!

Once the chips were handed out they started eating them...

made it a smidge harder to act.



Then off to the middle school after a quick dinner. Reagan had an orchestra concert. Once again she was placed right in the wrong places for us to get a good shot in action.

Waiting with her best friends, Rylie and Mykaila.

After the first song they got up and moved spots, this got her more hidden.

But then super dad got the shot that worked.

We sure got our shot of culture, theater and orchestra. When we got home we all tasted Irish Soda Bread. I've read about it in magazines and have wanted to try it. Instead of baking it I bought a loaf.

Funky shape - lots of peeks with sugar crystals on top.

We toasted to our Irish Soda Bread with toasted pieces.

We all loved it! A yummy night time snack.

We went to bed full of yummy food and great performances on our minds!

Flight Deck

It was our first time as a family to go to an Eagles hockey game. They are part of the Central Hockey League (thanks Google) and play at the Budweiser Event Center here in Northern Colorado. It was so fun with amazing tickets on the Flight Deck. It is on one end of the rink with floor and deck seating right on the glass. We went with a group of friends and had a great time. 

The Gang

Yummy Little Makyla

The Baby Whisperers!

We invited Baby Makyla and her parents, Ryan and Kim. Fun getting to know them! Our good friends the Dix's were there as well.

How fun for the boys!! They were in heaven - especially

when the players slammed up against the glass.

Slapshot, the Eagles mascot, goofing with Ten and Braden.

We also had Reagan's good friend Mykaila and family there!!

This evening only encouraged Tennison's desire to play hockey. We keep ignoring his requests, hoping it will go away... How long will that last?



3 Down, 3 To Go

This is my busy time of year, every year, with our Oscar party, Tennison's birthday and Reagan's birthday. Throw in a Spring Break trip and you have the makings of a busy life. I love it! This is the stuff I enjoy beyond belief. I have always said I can find just about any reason to throw a party. This year I added a friend's 40th birthday celebration, a baby shower and my mom's birthday in the mix.

Last night I threw a shower for my friend Karrie. I was thrilled to celebrate her and the upcoming arrival of her new little guy. All I had to do to decorate was switch out some things from the Oscars.
 

Check out the mini bottles, too cute!

These are the greatest blocks. We had these with Tennison and have

used them to decorate for his birthday and showers.



Karrie will be naming her little man Nathan. I had the women write some middle name ideas to help them out. I let them refer to this book...

Examples are Spanky, Laverne, Belladonna, Kermit, Polly Esther and Lefty.

Another game we did was Old Wives Tales. Knowing she is having a boy, we still tried all of these tricks out:

1. Have you had cravings for sweet or sour foods? Sweet = girl, sour = boy.
2. If you are carrying high = girl, low = boy.
3. If your age at conception and the year of conception are both even or both odd = girl. If one is odd and one even = boy.
4. Usually crabby during your pregnancy? Girl. My friend Kendra said, "Who isn't crabby during pregnancy?" Good point.
5. Ring on a necklace. Hold it closely over the belly, if it moves in a circular motion = girl, side-to-side = boy.
6. Show me your hands. If she showed them palms up = girl, palms down = boy.
7. What do you think it is? Moms-to-be correctly guesses 70% of the time. 

Well, it looks like she is going to have to consider girl names. She was girl for every one of these!! The wildest one was the ring on the necklace. We had 2 other pregnant women

Here is to Tennison's birthday party coming up this week, Spring Break in Arizona, Reagan's birthday and Mom's. It is going to be great. Then I'll take a short nap before I plan Whitney's birthday party and Scott & my 40th.

Flipping Out!

I love March. I love the signs of spring. I love that Tennison's birthday is on the first day of spring. I love that when March hit on Tuesday it felt like maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't see snow again until next winter. I love that the kids think they can officially wear flip flops now.

One new sign of spring for us has been the birds. The sound of their chirping makes me giddy. It makes me long for my summer mornings on the patio reading a good book and drinking coffee before the kids get up. Some birds I call those darn birds. They wake us up early, they build nests in our Evergreen tree and torment us. The ones I really loathe are those I see in the reflection of my computer screen as I type. They fly in and out from my front porch. It isn't a big space, so they move quick. What they are trying to do is build a cozy little nest for their potential babies. I in turn have put large rocks on the brick ledge to deter them from their efforts. What I envision is them dive bombing any guest who tries to get to the door. I see mass poop on the steps. I see problems. So I better get out there and up my efforts, because I'm bound and determined to keep those darn birds from my porch. It really does flip me out.

You other cute little, fat bellied, Red Robins can come join me in the backyard where I know you won't try to kill me.

P.S. Now I get why my college roommate Debi had a major fear of birds. She would death grip my hand if one came near us. I get it now, I really get it.

* Debi read this and told me, Phobias are not fads... she is still deathly afraid of birds!! She held true, opposed to our roommate who was a vegetarian and caved after she was lured by the smell of cooking chicken as a nanny. Wimp.

And The Oscar Goes To ...

Moi! It is back in the Kissel house since 2007 and it feels so good! I will relish in it for the entire year, so everyone brace yourself!

Our Oscar on our red carpet!

I started decorating for our California Beach Chic party last week. I used purple and silver as my color theme, it was awesome.

This was the final look on Oscar night.

We all provided a California infused appetizer along with fruit, cheeses and veggies.

I tried a new idea, 7-layer dip in a Margarita glass. I added a giant olive on top in honor of Oscar. The foods were so wonderful, everyone goes all out. 

A big part of the fun is the theme and foods we eat.

Greg & Vicky - Vicky has won our newest trophy twice since '04, Greg won it 3 times. I broke his streak this year though... it had to happen.

Eric & Trena, the two who fight strong every year. Unfortunately Trena has

never won - I tried so hard this year to get a victory for her.

Your Oscar hosts.

The whole gang!

Greg graciously handed the Oscar to the newest winner.

They have to go Moka, they'll be back next year... or sooner!!

Our 17th Annual Oscar Party was a lot of fun. There were prizes given out - dark chocolate for the Black Swan, gumballs for The King's Speech (like the marbles he had to put in his mouth), blue Peeps in honor of The Social Network (Mark Zuckerberg's fave color) and Boston Baked Beans for The Fighter.

The 18th Oscar's may like, go totally rad and like, totally '80's. Until then, is it tacky to bring Oscar with me around town?