Monday, April 12, 2010

Blog Party

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

Its Ultimate Blog Party time again! In case you didn't know... I enjoy parties. All kinds: Christmas, birthday, whatever. I like getting together with friends and enjoying eachother's company and having a good time. Who doesn't like that? So - if you're stopping by for the party or just checking in I'd like to ask that you humor me by participating in my personal blog party here. I'd like to get comments from my visitors telling me about some of your favorite party memories. Here, I'll go first:
My parents have been in the party business almost as long as I can remember. We've always been a single income family and with five kids growing up that made money tight. So my mom did a few things on the side for a little cash to help make ends meet. One of these odd jobs was becoming a clown. ;-) Seriously. She was not a character clown that entertained kids. She was a talent clown - she was a great balloon artist and face painter. She did birthday parties and company picnics, etc.
That is how it started anyway. Then a few years later we bought a pony. We couldn't really afford to feed an animal all year 'round so we had to find a way for the "pet" to pay for itself. So, we started offering a clown & pony ride package deal for parties. Then later we added a moonwalk to the mix. And then another. A few years go by and business is booming. We had parties back to back almost every weekend spring through fall. Now, years later they have revamped and are now doing more high-tech amusements for a whole new crowd of party goers. Times are changing!
It was an interesting and unique way to grow up. Going to other people's parties all the time - and only occasionally having one of our own. I think seeing many parties being so over-done helped me to appreciate our own low key celebrations even more. But it was extraordinary too, being able to help so many people celebrate their personal special occasions. What a blessing!

* What is a party without some prizes? Here is a list of my Blog Party Prize Faves!

US6 – Hand Stamped Personalized Necklace valued at $48 The Double Stacked A Lot Of Love.
Provided by: Kristen’s Custom Creations

US17 – Transform your images, your albums and your life with a total of 3 prizes for aspiring photographers and creative women… a copy of photo book Camera Creative, a copy of Found Art, and the big whopper of a Real Women Scrap pack including a Real Women Scrap TV DVD, Real Women Scrap (the book), a Real Women Scrap t-shirt, and a special notebook.
Provided by: Tasra Dawson of tasra mar | transform – your images, your albums, your life

US38 – New Mary Kay Fragrance Free Satin Hands Set for one winner. Provided by: Jasmin Collier & Tamisha Mays

US51 – Two winners will receive a lillebaby EveryWear carrier - Provided by: Scandinavian Child

US53 – 20 full-size sippy cup labels, 60 mini waterproof labels and 2 bag tags will go to one lucky winner! Provided by: Sunshine Paperie

USC 3 – A $50.00 Target Gift Card. Provided by: Peggy Gorman

USC 43 – Prize value: $100. One winner gets to choose 3 meal time plate setsProvided by: Olive Kids Direct, LLC

AND

I'll be doing a couple of giveaways of my own. I'll do a random drawing of the comments on this post at the end of the blog party and that person will receive a copy of the book Total Mom Makeover by Hannah Keeley, a workout DVD and a protein bar from Melaluca.
And for the person with the best party story I'll be giving away a scrapbooking grab bag. I'll be including some rubber stamps, rub-on embellishments and some surprise goodies!
SO... please comment away! You don't wanna miss out on a chance to win! If you are not a blogger you must leave your email address in your comment to qualify for the giveaways.

17 comments:

Rebecca said...

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope you are enjoying The Ultimate Blog Party! I hope you get all the prizes you are hoping for.
Cheers!

Michelle Murphy said...

Hi Wani, Thanks for visiting my blog!

My best party memory is of a trip with a group of my friends to a local zoo. I think it was my 11th birthday. We had a picnic first and then ran around the zoo. I think it was my favorite party because I wanted to be a zoologist at that age, but what kid doesn't :)

Jen said...

Hello! Thanks for stopping by Creative and Curious Kids for UBP. Oh how I love to plan parties, because I love being creative. I just don't like getting the house clean/organized to have the party. Well, my most recent memory would have to be this past weekend. I threw a fairy party for my 6 year old. Oh, did the little ones looks adorable running around in their fairy wings. Mom even wore a pair! I decorated the dining room like a fairy garden w/ greenery, white tule (sp?) and silk flowers. Also, there were little fairies hidden througout the decorations. Let's just say I was up late the evening before. lol Neat party post.

Jen

Traci Michele said...

Thanks for stopping by Ordinary Inspirations.

I love your blog- it is so cute! Beautiful family!

If you like Ordinary Inspirations, don't forget to:

1) Follow
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3) Put me in your sidebar :-)

Hugs and have a great day!

Traci

Stephanie said...

Thanks for coming by! You have precious children! It's always good to see HS graduates following in their parents footsteps.

Blessings,
Stephanie

Haydensmommy05 said...

Hi I am stoppin in from the UBP! I loved reading your story! I bet you were the coolest kid around!! I dont have any really great party stories we were not a well off family and when it came time for parties it was simple but nice we would just get the family together and have everyone carry in their own dish of food. And it was fun that we got to see cousins and play but it was just family and friends and food and it was nice I wish we all could still get together like that now!

Traci Michele said...

Found you over at the UBP! So much fun meeting new people, isn't it?

Nice to meet you! I'm a new follower. You have an adorable blog!

Come check out our fun when you get a second.

http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2010/04/meet-1000s-of-other-addicted-bloggers.html

If you like what you see, don't forget to:

1.) follow me
2.) subscribe
3.) put me in your blog roll so you don't lose me in cyberspace

Hugs, Traci

Henrietta said...

Hi! Stopping by from UBP. I love your story about growing up, what fun! We always had huge family parties for everything! Birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries. It was great hanging out and playing with all the cousins, we had so much fun!

Stop by and say Hi!
http://ahensnest.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-ultimate-blog-party-giveaway.html

Unknown said...

My favorite party memories are when my kids smash the cake all over their faces so excitedly!! :)
janel_marie at yahoo dot com.

Stopping by from UBP to say hi! Come visit me to! http://amomstake.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Hi Wani... thanks for stopping by my blog. My Nate is Lego Star Wars obsessed too. But he's also Indiana Jones Lego obsessed and Pirate Lego obsessed, and well... plain old Lego obsessed.
My best memory of parties growing up is all about the food and the cakes my mom made. Can you tell, given my obsession with cakes now?

Sienna said...

Hi... I came by to check out your blog and me likey. I am your newest follower. Thanks for stopping by my blog. My favorite birthday memory... My mom's home made cakes... always so thoughtful. My favorite was the barbie cake. Maybe that is why I make theme cakes? I never really connected the two!

NorCalMom said...

Thanks for stopping by Lemons to Lemonade!

Mrs4444 said...

Yea! Glad you stopped by my blog. It's nice to meet you. Thanks for hosting the giveaway. Count me in! :)

Anne said...

My favorite party memory is the year I went to a local farm/play area and they did all the work for my son's party. All I did was bring cupcakes, it was a great party and amazingly easy. In two weeks I'm having a birthday sleepover party for my soon to be 14 year old daughter, followed the very next day by a party for my soon to be 11 year old son and his friends. I decided it would make sense to get the parties all done at once this year, since their birthdays are 2 days apart. But I have a feeling it will be along weekend.

http://lunaj1456.blogspot.com

Lindsey said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love all parties but my favorite memory would be my lil guys 1st bday party last year.

Forgetfulone said...

I don't have any real exciting stories, but I did plan a surprise party for my step daughter on her 16th birthday, and despite many near misses, we kept it a secret. Here dad took her to dinner while I was at home decorating and waiting for everyone to arrive. While they were at dinner, they ran into her grandparents, aunt, and uncles who were eating dinner before coming over. And no one let it slip. And her dad had to stall before coming home since they left the restaurant at the same time as her other family members. And I had also made her a photo slideshow set to music on DVD, but I goofed and accidentally included a picture of her sister thinking it was her. Oops! After that party, I was asked to make a DVD of my father-in-law's photos for his 80th birthday - all 300-something of them. Took me forever to photoshop them and make the slideshow and burn the DVD. The final product was a little over an hour. As for parties, that's all I got!

Well, maybe not. I did a girlie party for my daughter's 12th birthday. There were 8 girls. We had pizza and birthday cake, of course. They played silly games and won "dollars" to spend on prizes. They played a tame version of truth or dare. We also made flipflops with colorful fabric and decorated felt magnetic picture frames. I even went with them to wrap a house and we almost got caught. That was so much fun. Not the wrapping. The whole party!

Hope you're having fun partying with UBP!

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! That Total Mom Makeover book sounds like just what I need. Great giveaway idea! The workout DVD would come in handy too. :)

Beautiful kiddos by the way.