Surprise Party!

SWEET 16!

My daughter turned 16 last week... and we had already agreed not to have a "Sweet 16" party in the modern sense.... inviting 50 or more kids or something like that.   My daughter wanted something more intimate with some close friends.... but I definitely wanted it to feel special for her.

  

I find it funny how different boys and girls are too!  My son was totally peplexed by even THIS amount of work to make her 16th birthday special.... as he doesn't want a party at all.... but then again... he's almost 18!  :) 

Anyway... I was excited to pull of some fun surprises to make her 16th special.

First... a Surprise Sleepover with close friends..... The girls totally loved being part of the surprise!

Second... Disco lights, fun music with  a club-like theme in the basement complete with CANDY BAR and snacks!

Third... A "photo booth" type set up where the girls could take fun photos of themselves all night!

I was told that the HIT of the party was the Candy Bar!   In this sugar averse culture we live in... and trust me... we don't eat much sugar around here.... THIS was definitely a treat! And of course... it is called SWEET 16 for some reason, right?   Sweedish Fish seemed to be the big hit... just saying.

I pulled this surpise off in just a week..... so I went to Oriental Trading Comlpany and ordered the Photo Booth essentials..... mustashes and lips on sticks... "frames" and the little white board bubbles to write captions on.... the girls had fun!  I pulled out some accessories from my costume box such as boas and fun sunglasses and hats and they just took selfies all night!    One friend had a selfie stick.... I think that would have been a good gift for the Birthday Girl too but I didn't think of that one! ;)    I did take a few of the photos the "old fashioned" way with me taking the photo!

Anyway.... It was a fun filled evening.... Pretty simple to pull off and tons of fun!   I do believe it will be a birtday to remember and THAT is the best thing a Mom can do!   

Good luck with your party planning!   Post other fun ideas you've tried or wanted to!  I'd love to hear

what you have done!

Theda 

Dance Mom!

Yes!  I'm a "Dance Mom"

This kid inspires me!   So yes.... I'm a dance mom!   But if "Dance Mom" means I love watching my dancer dance, compete, work hard for a goal, and hopefully succeed while consoling the failures... then Yes.... I'm guilty!  Whether we are a dance mom or a soccer mom or anything in between, if we as parents support our kid's passion... then we are doing a fabulous thing!

So lucky I can take my work on the road with me as we travel for her passion..... and it prompted me to share some crazy travel tips for any parent living out of a hotel room on the weekend!

So here's my "office on the go" and here's the Kitchen!   I always bring little oatmeals with me.... fill up a cup of hot water from the in room coffee pot (Don't forget the plastic spoon- I have and it's a pain)  

Something simple like this is GREAT when you don't want to spend the time getting food in the early AM when you have to get out and about early.   Not only does it save about $20 on room service, but it is very convenient!   Just had to share my tip!  Enjoy this when you travel with your kids or for a weekend... or as you plan summer travel!  

Enjoy your day!

Cooking Light!

PIZZA ANYONE?

So..... On my quest to get healthy... I'm not only Exercising EVERY day ( well at least 5-6 days a week) and I'm trying to eat "clean"  I have a love/hate relationship with exercise and diet!   I'm sure we all do!   I want to feel and look good... I want to be fit but sometimes you just have to have a Doughnut.... Or Pizza!

Now seriously, I won't go thru all this effort all the time, but I had to try it!   Cauliflower Pizza crust!  I went to Dr. Oz's website and found this great recipe for a cauliflower crust pizza!  Believe it or not it was good!

Now I don't have gluten sensitivity but I do watch my gluten.... just because everyone else is I guess... and "they say" it makes me fat.... SO.... I tried it!   Here are some photos of when I made it!

Recommendation...after you cook it.. let it sit and "set" it seems to work better that way but it is quite delicious!  Who knew?