Monday Party

Good Monday morning!

The Showcase Pic this week is one more Blast From the Past. Roxie had uploaded several old beach pictures for her file last week, and I'm just borrowing those. This is Roxie and Josh walking on the beach looking for shells... which you never find this late in the day... but when you're little, you always hope!

The Gallery Pics are from the Power Cooking Class I attended Friday at Lana's house (my Pampered Chef buddy). Not only were we cooking up a storm (12 meals in three hours), but we looked good, too. I will not even say, "I highly recommend" this class again. Instead, I will say, "I INSIST you come to a Power Cooking Class the next time she offers one!" It is so worth the time.

Austin picked Lemon Garlic Chicken from the assortment of freezer meals Saturday night, and even though I was weary and worn by Sunday evening, we still had a delicious, EASY home-cooked meal! (To be honest, Sunday night is usually our "cereal" night. Don't shake your head! It's a tradition!)

RANDOMNESS #1 - Last night Roxie walked into my bedroom holding a small, round container of wrinkle cream she had received in her Clinique gift bag. (She bought new powder recently, and we NEVER buy Clinique until the gift bag full of cosmetics is offered at the same time.)

"Do you think Grandmother would want this wrinkle cream?" she asked.

"Well, I know she would, but I would be able to use it, too," I replied.

"Oh. I didn't know if you realized you had a few wrinkles."

"Roxie, I'm almost 49. I know I have wrinkles." Actually, I've counted, and I know exactly how many wrinkles I have, but I'll save that for another post.

"I didn't want to hurt your feelings," she said, grinning. She tossed the wrinkle cream to me, and even as old as I am I caught it in mid-air.

I waited until she left the room, and then I slathered it all over my entire body. I need a bigger container!

RANDOMNESS #2 - We made it! We arrived early enough to park in the parking lot marked Gentleness at church yesterday! It was a toss up between Gentleness and Kindness, but I didn't want to put any undue pressure on myself.

RANDOMNESS #3 - I LOVE going to our new sanctuary. I don't know if this is an indication of my Christian maturity (or immaturity), but I feel like I'm at the RAVE movie theater because the seats are made the same. And when the lights go down right before special music or prayer, and the screens light up, I get the same thrill as I do when I'm sitting beside Mikie on date night with a bucket of really buttered popcorn and a Diet Coke. (I hate Diet Coke, by the way.)

It would be wrong to eat popcorn in church, wouldn't it? I know. I know.

NOTE - There are 100 other reasons why I love going to our new sanctuary. Really, really good ones, too. I know the only ones I've mentioned are the parking lot names, the HUGE women's bathrooms and now the seats, but I promise I'll be listing the reasons with more substance in the very near future! (We had a great message and choir special yesterday!)

Weekend Review - I have so little to write, it is truly amazing.

Josh and Roxie were spending the night with cousins Friday night. Austin was due in very late. Mike and I decided to have a date. Before we left, we received a call from The Boy. Storms had settled over Jacksonville. Evening practice had been cancelled, and he was heading home. I was thrilled. Mikie and I headed to Cracker Barrel for a nice, leisurely dinner, and then home to await The Boy's return.

It was good to see him again. I think he's grown.

Saturday, we awoke to the sound of rain. Lovely, lovely rain. And we promptly rolled over and went to sleep for a little while longer. It was WONDERFUL! Josh and Roxie eventually returned home. Austin and Melia had an afternoon date and arrived back at our house about the same time. Basically, we just "hung out," ate dinner together, and "hung out" some more. Very low key. Very nice.

Sunday has already been discussed above, as well as Project 365, so I won't bore you with those details again.

Things are about to start hopping around here, so I was very thankful for an easy, breezy weekend. Very thankful, indeed!

Monday Party

As I mentioned Friday, this week's ideas all revolve around the theme "Simplicity." Today is no exception.

If you have young children, think about what excites them. What makes an ordinary event a "party" to the three to seven year-old set?

It really is as simple as can be!

Pick a weekday night. Any old night will do. Next, choose at least five out of the 12 suggestions below, and surprise your kids with a GREAT, yet simple, party.

1. Use colorful paper plates and napkins. They can have a theme or just be a bright color.

2. Make a sheet cake or cupcakes. Let the kids decorate them at the table letting them choose from a variety of sprinkles, M & Ms and/or other candies.

3. Eat dessert first.

4. Have background music playing. It can be a kids' CD OR one of your favorites.

5. Serve a favorite food (pizza, chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.) as the main course.

6. Eat by candlelight.

7. Eat outside.

8. Eat in your pajamas.

9. After dinner, clear the table and play a favorite board game.

10. Wear party hats.

11. For your party craft, pull out the play dough and have everyone make their favorite animal. (Have them make one specific item so you will be able to have an "ending" time to this activity.)

12. Before everyone goes to bed, give them a goodie bag with a fun new toothbrush, a few character band aids, sugarless gum, travel toothpaste, etc.

Have a magnificent Monday. Tuesday promises to be a good day on A Simple Life. I have a great recipe to share, PLUS a bonus recipe from another blog. Don't you love a good bonus?

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda