Back-to-School Party

Good Monday morning!

The Showcase Pic is from a million years ago. It's just Josh and Roxie resting a minute after a day of sun and fun at the beach. I always feel very nostalgic when school starts, so don't be surprised if you see a few more "way back when" pictures in the Gallery this week.

The Gallery Pics are just a few shots I took before Austin left for JSU yesterday. Again, I'm feeling VERY nostalgic, so bear with me a few days.

REMINDER - If you are looking for holiday or special occasion ideas, etc., you can always go to my Archives and click on 2009. You then click on the month and all of the parties, recipes, traditions, dates, etc. for the month will magically appear! (Actually, you have to scroll down and read the headings.)

For example... If you are looking for Halloween ideas, click on 2009. Then click on October under the year 2009. It's all there, Baby!

Weekend Review

Mike and Sons headed to a Man Movie Friday night which was fine with the Faulkner Chicks. Roxie was exhausted from volleyball practice, and I was exhausted from... Well, it was past 2:00 p.m.

Saturday morning, Roxie I and were up at 6:00 a.m. to get ready for her "practice" volleyball tournament. We played five teams for 30 minutes apiece. The teams we played were made up of ALL 8th graders who had been playing together for two years. Although we didn't win, we held our own with several of our opponents. It was also great experience for our first game which will be here before we know it! I think we're going to have a really good year.

Saturday night, we had our first ever Back-to-School Dinner. Personally, I liked it better than the breakfast because we had so much more time. Mikie grilled steaks and Texas toast. Austin baked potatoes. Grandmother tossed a salad. I was in charge of the cream cheese pound cake, but we were very late getting home from the tournament. However, I had a BRILLIANT idea! Fresh, assorted-flavored Krispy Kreme doughnuts makes a FANTASTIC Back-to-School Dessert. (I highly recommend it in a pinch!)

Sunday was almost too exciting and overwhelming to remember. Austin was due at JSU by 1:00 for Band Camp check-in. Normally, we would probably have stayed home and had a relaxing morning with him. He would have left around 10:30, and we would have attended Sunday School. But this Sunday, August 8, 2010, was so special! We moved into our new sanctuary!

We were so blessed to be able to experience this amazing and exciting time in our church's history as a family. Not a "sitting together" family, but a family nonetheless.

Roxie and Josh said their good-byes before church. Mikie took Roxie and Josh drove. That left me and The Boy. We piled into his packed pick-up and headed to church. Thank goodness I had him drop me off while he parked. I was able to secure the last three seats together in the whole sanctuary. It was packed! Again... amazing!

I spotted Josh in the youth section, and Austin and I texted Mikie until he found us. Roxie and her friend, Ally, were having trouble finding a seat, so I went down to help them. I told Austin, "I don't care if a 99 year-old woman or a 10 month pregnant lady asks you if they can have this seat. You tell them 'NO!' Do you understand? I'm sitting next to you for the next 52 minutes. Got it?"

Of course I didn't really say that! How tacky would that have been? I can't even imagine. (In reality, I just had to look at Mikie and raise an eyebrow. He knew exactly what would happen if my seat was gone upon my return. We're close like that, you know. He can read me like a book... Which is good because I don't have to say horrible things in front of the kids.)

Upon returning to MY seat, we enjoyed a wonderful, sweet service together. And then it was over.

Mike, Austin and I left a few minutes early because we had to report to the Youth Department to "do our jobs." We were alone for a few seconds in the hallway overlooking the main floor. We hugged, kissed and said good-bye. And I felt very dissatisfied with our farewell. However, Austin seemed eager and a little sad at the same time. (Finally, The Boy has learned the proper way to leave home.)

We'll move him officially into his new dorm on the 16th. His living arrangements for Band Camp are temporary so there was no need for the family to "move him in" yesterday.

He just called. He's on his way to breakfast with his section, old and new friends. He's confident and excited. He couldn't believe some people opted to not come back to the band this year. (He cannot comprehend NOT loving the band.) His section is 14 members strong, and he is so looking forward to the next few months. And I'm happy for him. I really am.

But I will always miss him.

Back-to-School Party

I found a new website (www.amazingmoms.com) which had some great ideas for throwing a simple, inexpensive party for your children and their friends. This is definitely for the younger crowd!

The summer vacation is winding down and the excitement of a new school year begins. For some children this time brings joy, while others may experience a bit of anxiety. Hosting a back-to-school party filled with games and giggles, will ease worries and give excited children somewhere to place their energy.

Invitations - Make your own invitations with red apples cut from card stock paper. Or, hand deliver a real apple with a note tied to the stem.

Decorations - Fill the party area with real apples, stacks of books, pencils etc. You'll find a variety of back-to-school items at your local teacher store, The Dollar Tree or on-line.

Party Games and Activities - Here's a list of back-to-school game ideas for a variety of ages to help you get your own creative juices flowing.

Build a Lunch Relay Race

Fill a Back Pack Relay

Pencil Hunt - Hide pencils for the kids to find. (Attach treats to several of the pencils.

Pencil Box Game - Fill a pencil box with school items (scissors, pencil, crayon etc.). Show the children the filled box. Leave the room and remove one item. When you return have the children guess what is missing. Replace the missing item and play again. They can take turns removing the items for the game as well.

Show and Tell - Invite your guests to bring pictures (photos or magazine cut-outs) of their favorite summertime activities, a recent family vacation, etc. Set aside time for a two or three-minute per child “Show and Tell.” (Kids LOVE Show and Tell!)

Certificates of Summer - Before the party, create your own certificates or buy blank awards at a local craft or dollar store. (Make sure they have a space to write what the award is for, as well as an area to write the child’s name.) After everyone has had a chance to share their stories of summer, hold an anonymous vote for special awards (Who Had the Most Fun, Who Traveled the Farthest, Who Got the Best Tan, Who Grew the Most, Who Got the Best Hair Cut, Who Changed the Most (and Least), Who Had the Funniest Experience, etc.) Collect the votes, fill out the certificates, and have an awards ceremony!

Apple Prints - Cut apples in half from top to bottom. Pour red paint in a cookie sheet and press the apples onto paper.

Sack Lunch Treats - Of course, you'll need to serve a brown bag lunch for back to school! Pack an apple in each bag. You can also use school bus or alphabet cookie cutters to transform an ordinary peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Add cookies and juice. Serve in a brown bag with a colorful, fun napkin.

Party Favors - Each child can be given a box of crayons, pencils or stickers as a thank you gift.

Extra Activity - If your elementary school playground is accessible, take the party to the playground for 30 or 45 minutes of free play before the party ends. (You can ask a school official if this is permissible a couple of weeks before the date of the party.)

Have a productive Monday. We have two more days before school begins... and a lot to do! Tuesday's post will include some imaginative and creative ideas for school lunches, so you'll definitely want to check it out!

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

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda