Weekend Happenings, Blog Linkage, Pinterest Stuff, Bass Pro Shop Dirty Santa Party (with Some Additions), Quotable Quotes

Good Friday morning!

RANDOMNESS #1 - Matthew's 6th Birthday Celebration had an Octonaut Theme.

I have to admit, I didn't know about Octonauts, but let's just say I've been educated.


The cupcake toppers had pictures of the Octopod or different Octonaut characters on them...

And I don't remember any of the names.

You're shocked, I know.


This is the Octopod centerpiece. The Octonauts shoot out from the Octopod's legs...

I think.

It would only make sense, now wouldn't it?


My great-niece, Mackenzie, came to the party.

You'll be glad to know she has fully recovered from her Christmas illness.


Giant Cousin Austin holding Mackenzie.


Giant Pillow Austin still holding Mackenzie.


Giant Tickle Monster Austin having fun with Lauren.


This is a perfect pic of a six year-old boy... All smiles and no front teeth.


And did I mention there were inflatables!



I'm a HUGE proponent of parents playing on the inflatables. If Mom and Dad pay for them, they ought to enjoy them!

Brandi and Lauren.


You know a chick is having fun when she starts losing her big pink bow!

RANDOMNESS #2 - We won last Friday's game... lost Tuesday's game... and we have high hopes for tonight's game.

These pics fall under the category of "Crazy Legs, Crazy Arms, Crazy Ponytail and Crazy Good Smile."


Blue (Crazy Legs).


Roxie (Crazy Legs).


Roxie (Crazy Arms).


Kesley (Crazy Ponytail).


Kam (Crazy Good Smile).

RANDOMNESS #3 - Alas, there will be NO Auburn Championship pics on A Simple Life today.

I was more than willing to post a bunch of shouting, fist bumping, jumping in the air kind of photos, but since the game didn't end that way...

Well, we'll just have to wait until next year!

Blog Linkage

1. Go to www.kellehampton.com and read yesterday's post entitled, "Pay it 4Ward." Kelle's middle daughter, Nella, has a birthday coming up, and Kelle has the details for this year's fundraiser with proceeds going to NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society).

Plus, it is just a very good read.

2. Go to eighteen 25 under My Blog List and read today's post entitled, "Heart Gift Tags." If you aren't interested in making the gift tags, go to the bottom of the post for more Valentine's Day craft ideas.

Quotable Quotes

"Forgiveness doesn't excuse their behavior. Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying your heart." Anonymous

Pinterest Stuff

I started an "Eating Tips" Board on Pinterest this past week.

And I learned a little about which fruits help fight which diseases...

Blackberry - One-half cup a day may reduce the risk of stroke and cancer.

Grapes - One-half cup a day helps reduce blood pressure and lowers the risk of blood clots.

Pineapple - One-half cup a day aids in digestion, may help prevent blood clots and speeds wound healing.

Banana - A banana a day can help lower blood pressure levels.

Apple - An apple a day will not only keep the doctor away, but it also may help lower the risk of developing diabetes and asthma.

(I've already had a banana and I'm about to eat an apple. I'm planning on skipping the pineapple today because as of now, I have no blood clots or wounds. So far, so good!)

Bass Pro Shop Dirty Santa Party (with Some Additions)

I'm reposting this from last week... and adding some things I left out the first time!

My friend, Evelyn, told me about this idea.

Her boss took the office to Bass Pro Shop. They ate in the little restaurant in the store, and then everyone had to find a $10 Dirty Santa Gift to purchase and exchange within a certain time limit.

They then exchanged their Dirty Santa gifts in a seating area in the store.

I loved this idea for the following reasons:

1. The store is beyond huge. It would be easy for five or more people to scatter and purchase an interesting, useful or funny Dirty Santa gift without being seen.

2. Not being seen would be part of the fun.

3. And we're big Bass Pro Shop fans in our family, so I think everyone would enjoy doing something like this.

4. I can see it working as a Christmas party OR as a great teenage boy/girl party with a few friends.

5. I can even see it being a fun Father's Day outing. Have lunch with Dad and then let him browse while the kids scatter and shop for the perfect Father's Day Gift for their guy!

THE ADDITIONS! THE ADDITIONS! THE ADDITIONS!

ADDITION #1 - Evelyn's employer gave all of the women quarters for the Shooting Gallery located upstairs. They added their three top scores, and the winner received a prize.

ADDITION #2 - When someone purchased a gift, Bass Pro Shop put it into a bag. When it came time to pick a Dirty Santa present from the pile, no one knew what they were picking. (Even if it was the gift they had just purchased!)

ADDITION #3 - Evelyn's employer had gone to Bass Pro Shop before the party and taken pictures of various things and locations in the store. She wanted the girls to find the items during a Selfie Scavenger Hunt. After a specified time limit, the person with the most "selfies" taken standing in front of an item shown on the Scavenger Hunt List won a prize.

ADDITION #4 - All of the girls had a group picture made with Santa. If you stick with the Christmas theme, this would be a perfect ending and keepsake of the party.

NOTE - I still cannot wait to try this party!

Weekend Happenings

1. Mike, Roxie and I are doing the "basketball" thing tonight.

2. Josh is doing the "movie with friends" thing tonight.

3. Austin is doing the "work" thing tonight.

4. Roxie is spending half of Saturday at school preparing for the upcoming ACT.

5. Mike and I have PLANS Saturday night. (And the plans involve actually leaving the house... AND Gardendale.)

6. Everyone is planning on being home for church Sunday morning.

7. I'm giving Austin and Melia their LAST Christmas gift after church Sunday. And I will most definitely tell you more about that Monday.

Enjoy a wet (but much warmer) weekend. I'll be back Monday morning with a Two-Thirds of an Empty Nest Update. (Just so you won't worry about my sad, sad, mental state, it's more about them than me. It's a first, I know.)

Take care, and I'll talk to you next week.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda