Party Planning?

Have you ever planned a dinner event for 100+ people?

I haven’t. Or at least I hadn’t until this past week. My husband’s unit had their annual Christmas Party and as the Commander’s Wife and the FRG leader, it was left for me to plan.

It was a little daunting at first, especially knowing that the number of attendees could vary incredibly (94 Soldier’s in the unit, half are married, half have children) but if you know me, you know that I love this type of thing… even if it’s very time consuming for a homeschooling mother of three young children.

For the most part it went well, though I did have to buy a Venti Peppermint Mocha to get through the day. Oh well. It could have been worse (wink wink).

The biggest thing was that I had a strict budget to follow-- but the Lord provided again and again. We were able to line up a beautiful community center on base that allowed us to host our event for free. FREE. A perfect location, at the perfect price. Nice.

I had a number of gals (spouses to our dear Soldier’s) volunteer to help organize the games, food, and decorations. We met together, planned out the details, and delegated tasks. I was in charge of food/drinks (and of course responsible for all the detail work: logistics, advertising, coordinating, supplies, music, welcoming etc.). And the other two gals did games/entertainment and decorations.

I cooked up a storm and supplied the main course for the dinner—several delicious, crowd pleasing pasta dishes for the masses. The food was perfect for the occasion as it is the one thing that easily feeds large numbers and is appealing to most everyone.The Soldiers and their families brought appetizers and desserts so we had quite the spread.

I had carefully calculated the quantity of food penne, rigatoni and spaghetti, but in the end, we ran out of the main course. (Many single soldiers who hadn’t had a home cooked meal in years loaded their plates high before everyone had the chance to make it through the line—haha, can’t say I blame them). But truth be told, I was actually glad that all the pasta was consumed. We didn’t eat half the desserts and ended up having to take tons of sweets home. Another huge trial for me to bear (wink wink).

The night before the party, my decorator (who was also donating all the decorations) called  and said she couldn’t make it. Groan. I wish people could be more reliable. But somehow the Lord gave me peace of mind and instead of panicking, I rummaged through my closets and found everything I had left that was even remotely Christmassy and loaded it into a bags. Strings of lights, pieces of tinsel, and rolls and rolls of wrapping paper.

Some unexpected volunteers (and some wonderful soldiers tasked by my husband) showed up early and helped me work some magic. Instead of table clothes, we covered the tables with wrapping paper. Instead of poinsettia’s as center pieces, we laid out pinecones, red cranberries, and gold ribbon. We strung lights across the buffet table and hung tinsel on the walls. It wasn’t ideal, but in the end it looked beautiful. I wish I’d had time to take pictures!

The games didn’t go as I’d hoped either, as the gal who was in charge of games fizzled out. I’m still not sure what happened. She was there early to help and did a great job setting out the food, she totally skipped bringing/preparing for any of the games, (which was to be the main entertainment for the adults and kids). Whew!! So again I went scrambling. I figured out some quick games for the kids (making snowflakes with construction paper and scissors, tossing discs into a bin etc.). A gal at the party jumped in and made up her own Christmas Pictionary game for the adults, and the Soldier’s brought down a white board and dry erase markers from the unit to use for the game. It was a big hit.

Even with the glitches, overall, the party really went well. It was neat to see the Lord smooth out the rough spots. The big coffee pots were delivered late, but still the coffee was hot and ready when the time came. People put trash in Santa’s gift bag thinking it was a trash bag, but none of the toys were ruined (it was actually really funny). It took us an 2 hours to clean up after the party (even with a bunch of Soldier’s there to help), but we got all of our deposit back in the end.

We had a huge crowd and there was lots of laughter, the kids enjoyed Santa, and many people were able to meet and connect for the first time.

I think I’d do it again. It’s really so much like planning a small party, just with twice as many people and details to line up. The biggest thing I learned was to have reliable help. Haha. The second most important thing? Having a back up plan.

Ribbon

Curling ribbon never gets old.

At least this spool doesn’t.

I bought it back in 2004 and it’d been my trusty, go-to spool of ribbon every since. It’s been with me my entire marriage, and has survived 7 moves, 3 children, and many many Christmases, anniversaries, and Mother’s Day’s. 

It’s been unrolled on numerous occasions, and rerolled just as many times. It’s been dropped. Spilled on. And left for dead.

But it’s still here. Somehow, it’s still here. Still full. And still just as beautiful.

Now that is some dependable ribbon!

Between the bows and the ribbon…I’m totally obsessed with gift toppers this year, huh? But it’s nice that the little things can mean so much.

Little Sweetheart

 

Lost in the thought…

But always ready to say, cheese.

I love this kid.

December Photo Project, Day 10

Time

Nap time.

Also known as housekeeping time.

Dinner prep time.

Sanity check time.

Present wrapping time.

You choose.

 

December Photo Project, Day 6

Texting-war

 Noah and Aunt J simultaneously send text messages to each other. Lord willing, this little aunt to nephew bonding experience won't cause any repetitive stress injuries of the thumb.

Mesmerized

The Dorling Kindersley Rescue Vehicle Book never gets old. Whether you're 29 years old, 8 months old, or somewhere in between.

So glad I found it at Goodwill for 49 cents.

Boys will be boys...and their mother, a bargain hunter.

DPP, Day 20

Mr Blue Eyes

Old picture, but too cute to pass up posting. And since I didn't make it to the computer all weekend (or even snap a picture for DPP), this is my cutest attempt at making up for it.

DPP, Day 18

Hiding

Hiding from Mom and her camera.

It worked well, as you can see.





And yes, my 2 year old is wearing a sleeveless shirt, in the middle of Dec, with freezing weather outside. But... it's his only Curious George shirt, so you know how that goes.

Day 17

Dusting





Last night, we received a dusting of snow from the hand of our Creator.

Just a dusting.

But just a dusting is all we needed...

to remind us that it is winter,

to make us thankful for God's blessings,

to let us delight in the warmth and comfort of our home,

and to make the boys say, "It really IS Christmas-time!!" with shouts of joy and glee.

It was also just enough snow to cancel school in the area, put the Army base on two hour delay, and keep everyone off the roads.

See. We're not the only ones that think a dusting is a big deal. You have to love the South.


DPP, Day 16

Sweet treats

Every year, around December, I make baskets laden with sweet treats for friends, loved ones, and this time, for the leadership in my husband's company. So in my few spare moments, I've been cooking up a storm. And I must say that the fudge turned out amazing, the molasses cookies delicious, the pecan delights superb, the double chocolate mint cookies divine, the caramel corn incredible.

Like everything else in my life, of course.

Except the coffee stain my 2 year old made on my white carpet this morning.




DPP, Day 15



All wrapped up

Am I the only one that sighs a monumental sigh of relief and joy and excitement, when all the presents are wrapped and sitting pleasantly under the tree?

All, that is, except for the 3 presents I ordered online last night. Oh...and the two presents I am still hoping to find at the mall this weekend. And the stocking stuffer's, of course. Ha ha.

Despite all my planning ahead, I almost always keep shopping till the last minute. And I love doing it that way too. Oh, I get my packages mailed early or on time, but when it comes to local gift purchasing, I love to hunt around, peruse the stores and shelves, scrutinize pin stripes and polka dots...

Some may call me crazy, but there is something about the thrill of the hunt that makes shopping for that perfect gift SO. MUCH. FUN.

What about you and your gift giving habits? Do you like to hunt? Or do you just want to get it over with?

DPP, Day 14

Mistletoe

Just to be silly, I decided that I'd buy some mistletoe to hang over the doorway this year. However, I didn't realize how challenging it might be to get a hold of some of this kiss-worthy plant. After going to multiple places, I came home empty handed.


Later that night, we attended a friend's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, only to find that our host had been able to land some mistletoe herself! When I questioned her as to how she completed this seemingly miraculous feat, she expressed the challenge she had had finding mistletoe as well.  Then, on her last stop by a local nursery, she happened to find a nursery worker who had connections. He told her that he didn't sell it but thought he could get her some anyway.

What? How can that be?

Well, as it turns out, the worker recognized the plant and knew that the nursery's neighbor had some growing in their yard. Whether it was prearranged or not, the nursery employee whipped over to the neighbor's house, cut some mistletoe and gave it to my friend. How's that for service?

To make a good thing even better, my friend gave the mistletoe to me after the party was over. So now my husband has yet another excuse to lay one on me! Nice!

Happy Smooching, Ya'll!!

DPP, Day 13

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Is it any wonder that I won a prize for THE ugliest Christmas sweater?

DPP, Day 11

Recipes

They say the best recipes are the ones you know by heart... but I think the best recipes are the ones you have to call Mom for.

This Pecan Delight recipe (also known as Spanish Wedding Cookies) is one that I jotted down on the back of an envelope many years ago after a phone call to my mom. I can almost imagine the conversation,

"Hi Mom, you know that yummy shortbread type cookie that you roll in powdered sugar?...no...no, not that one... the one that Mrs What's her name made for the Welcome Home Party for Nick...yes. Mrs Nieuwenhuis...yes, yes, that's it. Can you give it to me over the phone? Wait! Let me find something to write on..."

Or am I the only one that writes recipes on the back of old envelopes?

Day 10

Grande Mama

It's the perfect day for hot espresso. And since I'm a native (but no long a resident) of the Pacific North West, I'm somewhat of a Starbucks fanatic. So, because there are not many 34 degree days in this Southern state in which I now live, I bundled up the boys and headed off to run errands who am I kidding? Starbucks.

When I got home later, and had unloaded children, groceries, and even a few Christmas presents, I quick snapped a picture of our drinks.

As I looked at the cups on the table, I couldn't help but think that, metaphorically speaking, the drinks looked just like our family today. The grande mama in the middle (nuts! I knew I should have gotten the "tall") with two little hot cocoa's standing next to me.

Only the two kids hot cocoa's would be holding hands with each other, while the grande mama would be balancing a 25lb baby on her hip, while also holding her purse, her trusty Starbucks card, and the hand of the youngest hot cocoa.

Perhaps it's needless to say that by the time we were done, this grande mama needed a venti ice water despite the outdoor thermostat.

But... it was so worth it. Some might not even call it coffee, but I still think that a Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha is THE. BEST. DRINK. EVER.

DPP, Day 7

Poinsettia

I'm certainly not an amazing photographer, at least not yet anyway.  But I do so enjoy my new camera... and by participating in the DPP, I've found myself spending more and more time fiddling around with it, trying out different settings, white balance, shutter speeds and ISO's.

Fun, fun, fun. And I mean that in all seriousness. I recently read that photo editing is no substitute for photography technique.

And I agree. So I'm going to work a bit harder behind the camera and strive to keep things unedited until I master techniques.


Don't you love the colors in this one?

This is my first poinsettia. I've always loved the bright and brilliant colors, and the distinct holiday feel that they bring. But I've never had one of my own. Then on Saturday, my hubby took the older two boys out on their almost weekly special male bonding adventure. **This involves Nick transferring their carseats into his super cool Jeep (as opposed to the not-so-cool minivan that I drive) and running different manly errands (Dunkin Donuts, the flower store, the park, and sometimes Nick's office which includes a stroll by the motor pool and lots of big Army trucks).** I came home from a baby shower with my youngest to find the boys had bought me my very own poinsettia while they were out. Love it.

And can't stop taking pictures of it either. One of these days I'll do it justice and take something really beautiful.


On a photo related note, if anyone has a website (their own, or one they'd recommend) that teaches beginning photography and offers photo taking tips, I'd love to have it.

December Photo Project, Day 6

The Culprit

Noah has not been himself the last week or so. He's been waking up at night.

 Moaning and groaning at the slightest upset.

 Whining if he's not being held.

And sadly, I have even seen him just lay his head down and cry. Which makes me want to cry too. Poor little, guy! I had my suspicion's about the culprit, but it's only just today that I've been able to catch that troublesome bad boy on camera.

That's right, you guessed it: Noah's first tooth.


 So as any good mom, I've been keeping the Ibuprofen and teething rings handy, offering as many extra snuggles as I can, and praying that the next 19 baby teeth are smooth sailing.

Growing up isn't easy, is it, Sweetheart?

December Photo Project, Day 4

Siamese Twins

December Photo Project, Day 3

Okay, so they are not really Siamese twins. Nor are they even twins.

But my two "older" boys, Isaiah (4 yrs) and Joshua (2 1/2), born 17 months apart, have often been called

Two peas in a pod

Best Friends Forever

Partners in Crime

Joined at the Hip

Okay, so now they are sounding more like Siamese twins again. Whoops.

Regardless of your analogy of choice, it's clear that the bond between these brothers is more than just matching Lightning McQueen jammies. It's something truly special that I pray will last a lifetime: brotherly love.

By the light of the moon

December Photo Project, Day 2

When I was little, my dad would often play the piano in the evening after we had gone to bed. I'll never forget lying there with my eyes closed, listening as the music serenaded us to sleep. My dad would usually  play with the living room nearly dark, or as we often said, "by the light of the moon." He didn't need the light to read the music, he would just play from his heart and let his fingers find their way across the keys.

Once or twice, my siblings and I didn't fall asleep, but had whispered a secret plan to each other as we lay there and waited till the music finished. As the last note died down, my brothers and sisters and I erupted in a chorus of cheers and clapping; our hearts filled with joy and delight over the wonderful music he played.

Do you remember that, Dad? I don't think we ever knew if you heard us yelling "Encore" or not, but we could not contain our applause. In our simple and childish way, we had to express how much we loved the music you brought into our home.



To this day, I love playing the piano in the late evening as well. I hope that I can make the same memory for my children as they drift off to the Land of Nod. I often feel tears in my eyes and a shiver of delight, as I play in the darkness by the light of the moon. Or, in this case, by the soft light of the Christmas tree.

The King of Early Rising

December Photo Project, Day 1

My dear little Joshua is the King of Early Rising. He loves to get up early, especially if he thinks something exciting is going to happen. This morning was no exception.

He thought it was Christmas.

When I explained that today was Dec 1st and Christmas was Dec 25th, he nodded in cheerful agreement and said, "Can I sleep here till it's Christmas-time, Mommy?"

I guess that's what happens when you try to explain "time" to a 2 year old.

Just for fun, I'm going to attempt to do the December Photo Project this year. Check it out!