Party - It's a Vivas Thing!

Sep 17 2016

Falling into a bucket list…

The weather is changing and all I want to do is shout out, “Fall is coming, fall is coming!”

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year! There are so many wonderful things to “fall” in love with!

For one, there is the cooler weather. I love the fall colors, which we don’t really get here, but I still love them anyway! Hiking and cooking and baking and photo opportunities…and smores with campfires in the backyard. As soon as we are halfway thru September I start to get the “fall itch.”

So what’s on my Fall Bucket List?

Up front and center is planning someone’s special Sweet 16. She’s been talking about it for years, and it is finally here. The next few weeks will be all about her hopes and dreams for her perfect party.
Mapping out hikes…which ones to go on when, while the weather is perfect.
Take advantage of the photo opportunities; whether it be a party, nature, capturing a spur of the moment adventure, or planning some fun photography with friends who have their own special moments about to happen.
Baking! I love to bake; so finding some time to try out some new recipes!
Fall Decorations!
Pumpkins! Pumpkin carving, pumpkin pictures, pumpkin pie!
Family time and a movie marathon!
Thanksgiving…I can’t wait!
Crafting…will I actually be able to get to this one?
And then comes Christmas….

Feb 07 2011

Party on a Dime

Bboo recently celebrated her sweet sixteen. (Pictures are coming!) We knew we wanted something fabulous, but were also on a budget. In order to plan the perfect party, we had to plan ahead! Here's some tips for planning a party on a dime!

We made our own custom invitations using Publisher. I created an blank page with a size 4X6. I then added a black background, some word art, a text box with borders and some colors. I then grouped it and saved it as a jpg. The result? Invitations printed at Walgreens with a coupon for 5 cents a piece!

Next came decorations. We knew the colors we wanted, so we started shopping clearance after the holidays. We were able to purchase ornaments, sparkles, ribbon, candles and centerpiece items for 75% off! We purchased sparkly silver grass at the dollar tree and roses for 50% off at Hobby Lobby. The result?

Backdrops run for a minimum $150. We found a black tablecloth on clearance. I sewed a loop on it to run a shower curtain through it and put it in a large doorway. We then bought silver posterboard and made our own mask, decorating it with glitter and feathers. The result?

Next challenge was a balloon arch. I had googled a way to make one, then found one of those nifty tapes with holes in it that are supposed to be easy. Don't waste your money! The balloons kept pulling out and flowing to the ceiling. I went back to my googled help. We had used fishing line to string the ornaments across the dance floor and make it look like they were kind of floating. We used the fishing line to make a balloon arch. I took two balloons and tied them together with the fishing line running through the middle. That way, I could slide the balloons up. I wasn't sure it would work, but was amazed at my newfound hobby!

In the end, the party was a beautiful hit! The guests laughed and danced the night away! I'll share more about that in my next post!

Apr 15 2010

Bummer

I finally get to be part of my first ever Blog Party…and life happens and prevents me from enjoying the last two days. Oh well.

The past two weeks have pretty much been spent living the life of a foster parent and all the hoopla that comes with it. I think I may have made it out alive…I'll let you know later.

Then, the Drama Queen and her cousin had a little..er..accident. He's twice her size. She's a tomboy. They don't always use their brains when they are together. Yesterday, they apparently decided to mash them together. Her face is swollen and bruised. Big nose; big lips…I hear his forehead has black marks on it. That's what happens when you charge at one another and then collide; his forehead/her face.

And yet…she still couldn't understand why her Aunt would not let her play with her cousin today. After all, she only wanted to play a board game with him. She didn't get her way.

So she spent the day in her pajamas instead. What a funny child.

I've decided tomorrow I'm going to take it easy. I'm going to be lazy and veg with the Drama Queen while everyone is at school. We'll curl up with the last book of Kaya and just relax.

Yeah, I know…I've only just started doing things…and I am exhausted! I think I forgot that I'm supposed to slowly start doing things. Yes…well….anyway….

Apr 09 2010

2010 Ultimate Blog Party!

I'll have to admit I'm kind of excited! I woke up this morning, wondering what on earth would I blog about today? Then, I discovered the 2010 Ultimate Blog Party going on at 5minutesforMom.com and thought…oh, that could be fun!

I started "It's a Vivas Thing" a little over a year ago. I'd had many friends and family tell me over and over I should write a book, and so I decided blogging would be the next best thing! I'll never forget sitting there trying to figure out what I'd write, when B-boo started screaming in the shower! A spider had decided to join her and my first ever blog was written!

It's these kind of posts that are really what happens on a constant basis at our house. As my good friend so kindly pointed out to me last night, "Nothing is ever small when it comes to the Vivas's!" In a family of 7, life can be chaotic much of the time! Adding in my niece and nephew to our mix a year ago only added to the chaos fun!

I still find it amazing that others enjoy reading my blog; after all, I really don't think I'm that interesting. Not long after I started blogging, I discovered "We're That Family." I like to read her blog because she makes me laugh…and think. So imagine my surprise after coming home from vacation last year to see my blog had been hit with numerous readers. It took me a moment to figure out why…and then I discovered I'd been added to the "We're THAT Family" with my "Bird, Dogs, and TV Crew" post!

And what's really neat is that my hubby and kids like to read my blog. My family has been so encouraging and supportive, even when I'm writing about them! As a matter of fact, two months ago when I became septic and hospitalized after a minor surgery; unable to even think of touching a computer, it was B-boo who conquered my blog and wrote what was happening. A few blogger herself?

This week also will hold a big moment for "It's a Vivas Thing!" I'm about to hit 10,000 views! I think that's pretty cool! And what better way to celebrate than to join in this blog party!