The Tondre Family: Party Planning

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Party Planning

Just 9 days away and I feel super ready for Carleigh's party!!! My dining room's a mess, but I've put my scallop punch and circle cutter away (Dustin's stoked about this) and am now just going down my to do list, knocking out the details. Next week will be all about tying everything together but I can't wait to share Carleigh's Fairy Garden 1st Birthday! Some people, (ahem relatives), have suggested I'm spending a lot of time and money on a party she won't remember, but I LOVE party planning and when Carleigh looks back at photos one day, I hope she thinks, "wow, they made a big deal about me!" My mom is going to come over almost daily next week to help me with getting everything in the right place (thank you, Mom!) and has been wonderful in terms of sewing my table runners as well as other necesseray seamstress needs. Stay tuned!!!

And the butterflies weren't even photographed ... boy are there butterflies!!!

I also thought I'd share my "rules to live by" for planning a party ... see below (taken from Genevieve's blog) - I'm a party planning blog fene!

A superchicks plan to planning a party from Genevieve of Celebrate Today

http://genevieve-celebratetoday.blogspot.com/

1 - TikTok!
Do yourself a favor and PLAN AHEAD! A “party in a pinch” is totally doable, but to avoid massive amounts of stress, give yourself TIME! Time to brainstorm like a rockstar, research tons and shop shop shop! If at all possible chicas, start weeks, no... months in advance!!!
2 - Embrace “to do”!
If you're looking for stress free, you HAVE to get your org on by creating a detailed "to do" list! One that include EVERYTHING that needs to get done! Space out your tasks and projects and you won't have a stroke! Shopping for party favors the night before your event... yeah, not cool!
3 - Select a kick ass theme!
Themes are AWESOME cuz they allow you to focus! Having tunnel vision rocks! It totally simplifies the planning process! Check it! I’m planning a “Little Red Riding Hood” party for my daughters 4th birthday right, so for weeks now I’ve been collecting fun fairytale/woodland items! Every time I see something red or gray, I’m like… whoop! whoop! How can I use this?! Go ahead, think outside the commercialized box and theme up!
4 - Elevate the awesomeness!
You heard me, get insanely inspired!!! Stalk party planning blogs, online retailers, inspiration boards… Take your theme to the next level! If money was no object, what would you include? Let your mind go there and get crazy creative! Then, scale your outrageous ideas down! Key tip... think "a few fab ideas" as opposed to "doing it ALL"! You'll be stoked AND serene!
5 - Emeral ain't invited!
Stifle your inner chef and resist the urge to try new dishes! If you’re looking for stress free, PLEASE stick to old favorites! Bake and freeze! Oh, and check this out this foreign concept… when a guest asks if they can bring something SAY YES!!! It’s immensely helpful, lowers your cost and makes them feel awesome!
6 - Step away from the ledge!
GF, if you've heard nothing else, hear THIS! You need to know when to STOP and say enough is enough! Are your guests mind readers?!!! They haven’t got a clue as to what “didn’t get done”! So your water bottles aren't labeled, it’s O. KAY! Trust me, nobody's walking away thinking, “Wow, that party sucked cuz Suzy Q didn’t…!
7 - Bag the clean house!
Unless your house is a pigpen, your focus should be on “the event” not on “Mr. Clean”! Please, I BEG you, don’t start spring cleaning the day before your celebration! Seriously, now isn’t the time! Make sure the bathrooms sparkle and the toys are picked up! You know you’ll have to clean up after the fact right? So why in the world would you want to do it twice in two days?! If you’re a clean freak, hire a service or put your kids to work!
8 - Expect Murphy!
Count on seeing Murphy's Law in action! More often then not, anything that CAN go wrong... WILL!!! Expect, prepare and don’t let it freak you out!
9 - Get off the CRAZY train!
Before your guests arrive, sit yourself down, have a cocktail and CHILLAX! I’m not even kidding! Do you really want to be a frazzled looking hostess-zilla! I didn't think so! My secret? I focus on the guest of honor, the reason behind the event… parties are about people, not napkins! Works every time!
10 - Have a funtastic time!
I always have a blast at my parties! Why? Cuz it's a PARTAY!!! Once that first guest walks though the door, the party planning process is over! Take a breath and reap the rewards! You’re A SUPERCHICK!!! ENJOY!

1 comment:

SpontaneousMomJuly 16, 2010 at 9:00 AM
I love it! Soooo fun! and I totally 100% agree with the party "rules to live by"- each one is so true!
Looks like Carliegh will have a fabalous time! Can't wait to see pictures and ready all about it!
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What Parker is up to

8 months 3 weeks - 3rd ear infection (left ear) and double eye infection (allergic conjunctivitis). Began Augmentin and AB Otic Pain Drops for ear.

8.5 months - taking 6-7 steps at a time

8 months 1 week - standing up from sitting unassisted

8 months - crawling up stairs in gameroom

7 months 3.5 weeks - took first steps

7 months 3 weeks - first tooth (his center bottom right) broke! Pushing up to standing unassisted.

7.5 months - started crawling! Standing unassisted for several seconds.

5 months, 10 days - at ear recheck, ear infection still flaring, prescribed Bactrim for 10 days.

5 months - 1.5 weeks after finishing 2nd antibiotic for ears, Parker gets another ear infection (right ear). Starts on Omnicef for 10 days.

4 months 1.5 weeks - He was resistant to the Amoxicillin and began Augmentin to treat ears. Also on AB Otic pain eardrops.

4 months 1 week - First ear infection - just happened to be a double ear infection. Treated with Amoxicillin. Tried pears and loves them.

4 months - sitting up unassisted for about 10 seconds at a time. Standing all the time while holding onto things. Loves to walk while you hold his hands in yours. Wearing 3-6 month clothing; size 2 diapers. Moved to 30 mg/day of Prevacid Solutabs - seems to be helping tremendously. Began solid foods; hates cereal.

2 months 1 week - first laugh, moved up to size 2 diapers, a little big but seem to work better. Still vomitting about once a day.

2 months - loves being in the bumbo! Moved up to 3 month clothing. Diagnosed with milk protein allergy at 2 month visit from stool test (mucous in stools). Started Neocate formula.
Grasping at objects and enjoying being awake more. Sleeping 5 hours in initial night time stretch followed by 3-4 hour stretch.

6 weeks - first smile; graduated to 0-3 month clothing; was diagnosed with GER (reflux) and started on Prevacid Solutabs 15 mg (1/2 tab twice a day).

5 weeks - rolling over consistantly from belly to back.

4 weeks - moved out of newborn diapers; beginning to stay awake more. Sleeping 3-4 hour segments at night. Goes back to sleep immediately after eating. First cold/congestion and we haven't been out and about at all!

Race Report 2011

FEBRUARY 26th: Diploma Dash 5K - 24:42 (7:57 per mile) 3rd place Age group 5.5 weeks prego
MARCH 5th: Red Rock ½ Marathon Las Vegas - 1:59:47 (9:09 per mile) 6.5 weeks prego
APRIL 16th: Zooma Austin ½ Marathon - 1:52:05 (8:32 per mile) PR 12.5 weeks prego
APRIL 30th: Jag- A-Thon 10K - 59:05 (9:30 per mile) 14.5 weeks prego
MAY 14th: Culinaria 5K - 25:34 (8:14 per mile) 16.5 weeks prego
MAY 21st: Beach to Bay Relay Marathon Cumulative - 4:36:52; my leg of it was 4.98 miles in 46:28 (9:20 per mile) 17.5 weeks prego
JUNE 11th: Farias 5K - 26:22 (8:29 per mile) 20.5 weeks prego
JULY 4th: Freedom 4 Miler - 39:25 (9:51 per mile) 23.5 weeks prego
AUGUST 20th: Sunrise 10K - 1:00:41 (9:46 per mile) 30.5 weeks prego
SEPTEMBER 17th: Ranger Rush 5K - 29:20 (9:26 per mile) 34.5 weeks prego
OCTOBER 1st: Lighting the Way 5K (ended up being 3.8 miles according to my Garmin due to poor course marking and getting lost on the route) - 31:27 (8:16 per mile) 36.5 weeks prego
DECEMBER 17th: Lifetime Reindeer Run 5K - 24:13 (7:47 per mile) PR 8 weeks postpartum

CARLEIGH'S GROWTH (Weight for age/Height for age)

2 years old -26 lbs 0 ounces 35.75 inches (40% weight/90% height)
22 months old - (weight only since acute check-up for ears) - 24 lbs 11 ounces (almost 20% weight)
18 months old - 24 lbs 33.5 inches (45% weight/85% height)
14 months (GI Visit) - 21 pounds 5 ounces 31.5 inches (36% weight/90%height)
12 months old - 20 pounds 13 ounces 30.25 inches (45% weight/85% height)
11 months old - 19 pounds 15 ounces 29.75 inches (45% weight/75% height)
9 months old - 18 pounds 5 ounces 29.75 inches (41% weight/96% height)
8 months old - 17 pounds 4 ounces 28 inches (40% weight/83% height)
7.5 months old - 17 pounds 4 ounces 28 inches (50% weight/90% height)
7 months old - 16 pounds 7 ounces 27.75 inches (40% weight/90% height)
6 months 1 week old - 15 pounds 15 ounces 27.75 inches long (40% weight/97% height)
5 months old - 14 pounds 12 ounces 26 inches long (50% weight/75% height)
4.5 months old - 14 pounds 4 ounces 26 inches long (50% weight/90% height)
3 months 3 weeks old - 13 pounds 8 ounces 25 inches long (50% weight/90% height)
3 months old - 13 pounds 2 ounces 25 inches long (55% weight/90% height)
8 weeks old - 11 pounds 10 ounces 24 inches long (75% weight/90% height)
6 weeks old - 9 pounds 2 ounces 23 inches long (50% weight/90% height)
2 weeks old - 7 pounds 6 ounces 21 inches long (25% weight/75% height)
5 days old - 6 pounds 8 ounces 20.5 inches long (25% weight/75% height)
Birth - 6 pounds 11 ounces 20.5 inches long

What Carleigh is up to

29 months - Carleigh skipped the "why" phase and instead asks, "what's ____(name)___ doing?" over and over and over and over again. For instance she asks "what's Hannah doing" probably 50 times a day, and "what's Parker doing" about 20 times a day even though she knows Hannah is at school in the day time, and Parker is usually right by her sleeping, eating, or fussing. Not sure if she just doesn't like the response I give or doesn't believe me, but she's relentless. She also asks "where's ____name_____?" hundreds of times a day. It drives me batty! As for her favorite sayings, "I no wanna go nigh-night" and "Mama, come play with me" rank up at the top. About a month ago, when playing with her animals, princesses, fairies and such, she loved to have them have parties (looks like a huge pile of figurines) and didn't want you to touch them. Now, she puts all of her figurines outside of their respective houses/castles, etc in a very organized line (and grouped together by type) instead of playing with them in the houses. Only if I play with her, will she set up the castle, house, etc like it's intended. She does the same linear lineup of crayons and shoes and toy jewelry. Since giving up her kiki, she has begun to suck her fingers and lick her hands when she is trying to self soothe. She also hates naps since giving up her paci and we now have "quiet time" where she can read or play in her room in the afternoon for 1 hour (it always results in a nap for 1.5-2 hours). Carleigh HATES to be dirty. If she gets ketchup around her mouth outside her lips, she freaks out. If she gets wet from water, she freaks out "I'm weeeeeeettttttttttttt!" she'll scream. And dirt, well you just better not be in her path when she screams from seeing dirt on her body. My mom says I was the same way about getting dirty, so perhaps I passed this behavior on to her. I also think Dusty was like this, as well. Sorry, sweetie. Her favorite TV show is still Go, Diego, Go but Bubble Guppies and Dora are still enjoyed. Her favorite movies are Cinderella, Tangled, Tinkerbell, 101 Dalmations, Lady and the Tramp and Bambi. Ice Creama and ice pops are still her favorite food.
26 months - gone are the days of 2-3 word phrases! Carleigh is saying full sentences and asking complete questions. It amazes me how quickly she picks up on vocabulary and how much better she is to understand than even two months ago. Her favorite sentences to say are "We're not going to the gym!" "I'm a big girl," "Don't cry ___(name)___, it's okay." Her favorite questions are: "What's your favorite color (or princess)?" "What toy you buy me?" and "What we doing today?" Her favorite TV show is hands down, Go Diego Go (because he's an animal rescuer, of course) and her favorite movies are still Tinkerbell, Finding Nemo, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and Bambi. Her favorite food is surprise, ice cream (she says Rocky Road but she means chocolate).
22 months - stringing 3 and 4 words together consistantly. Repeating EVERYTHING we say! Books are her favorite toy. Answering questions with contextually correct answers. Learning and using manners like "thank you," "sorry, Mama (or other name)" and can say "please." She just doesn't use it much :) Diagnosed with her first case of Swimmer's Ear and were prescribed antibiotic ear drops.
20 months - saying her name when asked. It sounds like "Caw-wee." Her vocabulary has increased exponentially! Stringing together lots of two and three word phrases. The most common "Maddie, get ball!","Ready, go!","Kiki for nigh-night" and "Mama get me." (when we play chase). Climbing out of crib when not tired. Obsessed with all things "Tinkerbell." She loves to play "picnic" wth her babies and animals and is most interested in puzzles and books. Socializing with other children her age is very fulfilling for her and her extroverted personality is really shining through. Definitely a little people person and not shy at all.
17 months - I have been pretty bad about updating this. Let's see... when Maddie barks, Carleigh says "no, no, no, Maddie" and points her finger towards her (wonder where she learned that from). She also now hugs the dogs very gently and gives them kisses on their backs. She says "Love you," "Bubbles," "Apple," "thank you," "More, pease and does the sign language hand signal, "Ah done" with the sign language hand signal, "ow, ow, ow" when I do her hair or put her earplugs in, "kiki" is her binky name, "nana" for banana, "tweet" for treat, "mine" "mil" for milk, and "tikky" for kitty. She goes to the refrigerator when she's hungry or thirsty. She says "nigh nigh" when she wants a nap or to go to bed at night. She also knows that she only gets her "kiki" at "nigh nigh" time so she's a lot more eager to take naps now. :) She goes to the DVD player and pushes the correct button for play to start her baby Einstein dvd (but I don't have the source correct); and she stands up on the top of her slide and taunts me to get her down. When I tell her that's a "no, no" she tells me "no,no" back to my face and smiles. When Dustin tells her "no, no" she cries. When she hears "if you're happy and you know it," she claps along with the "clap your hands" direction and stomps during the "stomp your feet," direction. She hasn't gotten the "hooray" part yet. Climbing anything and everything is her priority each and everyday. Dress-up with her new dress-up shoes/purse/crown and my jewelry are very entertaining to her and she LOVES baby dolls!
14 months 1 week - Carleigh points at things she can't vocalize. She's been pointing for a while now, but now she has serious intent. When she wants something from the fridge, she gets up and goes to it (whining) and upon opening, points at what she wants (and what we obviously aren't getting for her) like milk, canteloupe, strawberries or her juice. When you say "outside," she points out the back doors or out the front door to go "out." When you are teaching her new words, if she gets them, she'll point at what you are vocalizing. (i.e. - when learning "grass," after hearing it over and over, she started pointing down at the grass. Same thing with airplane (she points up), trees (she points at them), car, truck, eyes, nose, mouth and tongue (she sticks her hand in her mouth like she is eating it). Now if she'd only learn "street." :)
14 months 1 week - what Carleigh is saying - I haven't kept up with this so some of these are new and some have been said for several weeks: "duck" (clearly with the ck sound); "cat" (clearly); "bye-bye" at the appropriate time, "hello" when she picks up a cell phone; "daw" for dog; "moo" when she sees a cow in a book; "Paw-paw" for her Papaw; "Bubba" (clearly) when she sees Bubba; connects "hi daddy (says the "y sound" often)" and "hi mama"; "ya" after hearing it said; "what" only several times when asked a question.
14 months -received 2nd endoscopy results. They were NORMAL! No dissacharride deficiencies or allergies anymore! We were told to taper on to soy milk with curret formula before beginning whole milk in one month. We can begin yogurt, cheese, sugar, carbs though as of today. Only one new food per day. Yay!
13 months 1 week- 1st ear infection, post tubes. Noticed lots of fluid (orangish-white color) draining out of left ear. Upon calling ENT, the nurse said this is how ear infections will now look. Carleigh's temperment isn't different at all (thankfully) because the pressure is not building up in her middle ear and the tubes are allowing the infected fluid to drain out. Low grade temp for past 10 days.
Just shy of 13 months - got tubes put in.
12 months - wearing size 3 diapers; 12 month clothes
10 months old 1 week - walking all the time. (only time she crawls is extreme fatigue or frustration). Carleigh's mode of transportation to and from places is now solely walking unless the terrain is unmanagable - i.e. grassy hill as we recently learned
10 months old - taking 10+ steps consistantly and standing up from sitting without assistance
just a little over 9.5 months - took first steps
9 months 3 days - went to Dr. Pauli for 9 month check-up and came home with prognosis: ear infection. She had 103.2 fever overnight and over 103 degree fever at doctor's office, and so she didn't get her immunizations. The Dr. prescribed Vantin (cefpodoxime) orally for 10 days. Recheck in 2 weeks.
9 months old - wearing size 3 diapers. Clothing: size 6-9 months fits best. 9 month clothing is too big so we rubber band pajamas at the back and fold pants and skirts over at the waist.
9 months old - drinking 10-12 ounces of Elecare Vanilla formula per day and 4 jars of stage 2 baby food in combination with finger foods (grilled chicken, turkey, diced peaches, french fries, or Graduates dried fruit dissolvable snacks).
9 months old - said Mama!!!
8.75 months (April 13th) - 1st intelligible words spoken! Ba-ba! Followed up the next day with two more: La-la and Da-da! I don't think she has any idea what they mean though; she seems to just be enjoying talking. So now I will try to associate the bottle with Ba-ba and Daddy with Da-da. No idea about La-la.
8.5 months - letting go while furniture cruising or wall touching and successfully stood ALONE for 10 seconds. Continues to be a daredevil and try to go at things alone or no-handed.
8 months 1 week - pulling herself up using the wall only (needs nothing to grab for grip). Snakes around rooms just by touching the walls.
1 day shy of 8 months - Carleigh is officially a crawler! She crawls about 8-10 steps and then plops on her butt in the sitting position and then crawls some more.
7.5 months - walking around furniture with ease
7 months 3 weeks - Carleigh got first ear infection. Started amoxicillin. A few days later, she completely refused to drink any formula at all. On-call GI said it's okay to give her pedialyte as form of hydration and nutrients (not a substitute but in the meantime) until her earache is completely healed and until her 2nd endoscopy, late next week. We've tried Similac, Good Start (even though she's allergic to them), and Alimentum and she even refuses them! Her solid intake is still great, thankfully.
7 months - started Neocate formula. Still not drinking it. Moved into size 3 diapers. Still waking at night to eat. Same size clothing as last month. Loves mashed up people food vs. baby food (i.e. chicken, vegetables, fruit) and chews pretty well with her two teeth. Eczema flaring up again, doctors think due to something she's eating. Pulling up on anything approximately 2 feet high. Beginning to show spitfire personality!
6 months - wearing 6 months or 6-9 month clothing (can still wear 3-6 month shirts). Size 2 diapers.
just shy of 6 months - moved Carleigh to her nursery for all naps/bedtime. Packed up pack n play.
5.5 months - 1st tooth broke through bottom center
5 months 2 weeks - sat successfully (had to be put in the sitting position and then released) on her own by putting palms on the ground as well as by grabbing her feet for more than a few seconds. If she lets her hands go, she falls over.
5 months 1 week - got second cold/sickness. Lasted 6 days. Congestion, constipation, irritability, clinginess, terrible sleep patterns, inability to breathe through nose. Also during this time, began rolling over a ton in crib which also woke her up numerous times through the night (once binky fell out, she'd freak out). Goal: teach her to put binky in mouth on her own.
5 months - really starting to eye something, reach for it, and successfully grab it. She used to aimlessly reach for things and sometimes get something, sometimes not. Loves touching faces! She will pinch your cheeks, chin, nose, anything she can get her little fingers on (this goes for her mouth, too)! She also is a lot more vocal. She squeals, screeches, makes cooing noises to express herself, outside of the normal laugh and cry that have been in her repertoire. She is very entertained by the dogs activities. She will follow them with her eyes over any toy any day. If they are nearby, their fur is fair game (thankfully, Tyson is the one who is nearby most often).
5 months - pears, bananas (tried peaches - she doesn't like them)
4.5 months - applesauce
4 months - started brown rice cereal in bottles at night and by spoon in mornings.
12 weeks - discovered Carleigh has milk allergy and has acid reflux. Started medication for reflux. Took away middle of night feeding. Sleeping 8-9 hour stretches.
10 weeks - is sleeping 5-6 hour stretches at night. Laughed for the first time!
9 weeks - moved out of newborn diapers.
8 weeks - rolled over from back to tummy
7 weeks - first smile
6 weeks - got diagnosed with eczema. Poor baby. Also, got her first cold.