Eclipse Party Plans

So, this is actually a repost from my guest post on Trixie and Tess last Friday.  The only thing different is that I have added some links to some of the websites I've used.  I thought that some of you who venture over to my blog from other sites looking at New Moon Party stuff might be interested in my new Eclipse Party Plans.  

I'm planning this party with my cousin Allison.  Let me tell you, it has been an absolute BLAST!  We make such a great pair and we just get each other.  It has been so fun having someone to bounce ideas off of.  Without further ado...Allison and Jenny's Fire and Ice Party...

First things first, we set a theme for our party.  We had several ideas running through our heads.  We had talked about throwing a graduation party, like Alice threw for Bella, but that left out a few elements we wanted to include (like the wolf pack), but it would be a great theme for an Eclipse party.  The New Moon party I threw last year was a "Fangs or Fur" party.  That would still be a legit theme for an Eclipse Party. The theme we picked for our party is "Fire and Ice".  There are tons of great ideas.  So, just pick something and stick with it.  It helps to give your party continuity. 

Invitations really set the mood for your party.  We went through several ideas.  We had thought about creating our own, something that possibly worked in the Fire and Ice poem by Robert Frost.  In the end, we decided that we wanted to throw in a little Alice into our party, so we went with a graduation party invite.  (We purchased the ones below from Vista Print and they were super cheap @ www.vistaprint.com. There are also some great hand-made invites on Etsy @ www.etsy.com and just search for Eclipse Invites)

RSVP to Alice Cullen, of course!

Location is huge.  You have to know what area you're looking at before you decide on decorations.  Since we are throwing a premiere party, we are having our pre and post party at a hotel.  It's a nice choice with a blank slate.

You may choose your home or a friends house or even a restaurant would be a good choice.

Decorations are my favorite part of throwing a party!  Here is an inspiration board for our party, so you can get an idea about what I'm talking about.  (a lot of our party essentials like balloons, table cloths, confetti, and other fun add-ins were purchased through Oriental Trading Company @ www.orientaltrading.com and now you can purchase Eclipse Party Ware from Birthday Direct @ www.birthdaydirect.com)

We have had sooooo much fun deciding on the decor. Although, being at a hotel does limit us somewhat, it is still tons of fun!  We have two hotel rooms.  We requested joining king suites.  This is what I did for the New Moon Premiere party and it worked out great!  We are making one room our "Fire" Room and one our "Ice" Room.

In the Fire Room, we are using lots of red...red tablecloths, red paper lanterns, twinkle lights, a La Push sign for the door...and we'll incorporate several wolf pack pictures, framed quotes, and odds-and-ends.

In the Ice Room, we are using silver...silver tablecloths, silver paper lanterns, twinkle lights, and a Forks sign on our door.  We will also have lots of Cullen stuff, like framed quotes and pictures...anything that says "ice".  Last year I hung up New Moon posters over the pre-hung pictures on the hotel walls.  I'll probably do the same this time.

Of course, our party wouldn't be complete without a life size Edward and Jacob there to greet our guests and our piece de la resistance a tent pitched in the middle of the "Ice" room.  We plan on putting a little lantern outside of the tent, with a parka hanging from the post.  We're going to create a couple different photo ops.  To add to the ambiance, we thought we would up the A/C in the "Ice" room and turn up the heat in the "Fire" room.  

Sound fun?  I haven't told the whole story.  I have blog readers who might venture over here that are invited to the party and I want to keep a couple elements of surprise!  Do you have plans for an Eclipse Party at some point...premiere party, movie party, DVD release party?  Any ideas you would like to add?  Tell me in the comments section or e-mail me at jennykate77@yahoo.com!  I would love to hear it all!  

I'll be back next Friday with the details on the food, party games, swag bags, and links to some of my go-to party planning sites!  

~JK

Relay For Life 2010

Our Wagoner Co. Relay For Life 2010 was Friday and Saturday...

and it was a success!

The 2010 RFL theme is "Celebrating More Birthdays".  We like to be a little different, so we decided to throw a Batman birthday party.  The slogan we put on our shirts was "To the Batcave...for more birthdays" and we added in the scripture out of Jeremiah 33:3 that says "Call unto me and I will answer...".

The team count and money raised was down from years past.  However, we still succeeded!  There was a county total of $43,000. raised.  16 teams participated.  We relayed for 12 hours straight.

We remembered those who have fought and lost the battle.

We celebrated those who have fought and won the battle.

We raised awareness.  It was a success.

If you want to participate and/or donate, click on the button below.

Cancer effects everyone...you either have a loved one, friend, friend of a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or have experienced it yourself.  It's time that we remove this terrible disease for good.  We've got to give people hope.  We've got to celebrate, remember, and FIGHT BACK!

I'm a Guest Blogger...there's a first for everything! (Eclipse Party Plans)

The awesome girls over at Trixie and Tess are letting me guest blog today!  Woot!  

They asked me to come over and talk Eclipse Party with them and of course I said YES!  Plus, I thought it would give all of my non-twilight bloggy friends a break from all of my twi-nonsense.  However, if you are a twi-lover and you're interested in reading about my Eclipse Party Plans, go over to Trixie and Tess Tell All today! (click on the button above)  I promise you will love their blog!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Thursday Thankfuls

Hey, guys.  It's me.  Jenny Kate.  Remember me?  I have been in the world's worst blogging slump.  You know that movie "How Stella Got Her Groove Back"?  Well, I need to be Angela Bassett...I so gotta get my groove back.  

One of the best ways I know to get my "groove" back is it write down things I'm thankful for and get a fresh perspective.

It's been a while since I've done a Thursday Thankfuls, so I thought I would take inventory and be grateful.

Counting your blessings is good for the soul.

I'm thankful for family time.

I'm thankful for summer days and more time to spend with my sugar bear.

I'm thankful for exciting events that give me something to look forward to!
(19 days!!  I'll be sharing my party planning soon!)

I'm thankful for Mocha Light Frappucinos from Starbucks! 150 calories for a grande!  16 oz of pure heaven!

I'm thankful for adventures.

I'm thankful for the chance to raise money for a worthy cause like Relay For Life.  (P.S.  There is always a donate button at the bottom of my blog.)

This is a little hint to the theme of our campsite for Relay For Life 2010!  It's tomorrow!  Our team raised $5201.50!  I'll have pics to share next week!

Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the beginning of your summer!  I promise to get around and say hi ASAP!  Miss you guys!♥

~JK

All Aboard!

Saturday morning, we boarded a train and headed south!  This was our first experience on a long distance train ride and let me tell you, it is the WAY to go!  We had 9 people in our group and you couldn't ask for better traveling conditions.  People can go to the bathroom when they want and as frequently as they want.  There is a snack car that sells sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and sundries.  The seats are roomy and comfortable...they even have 120v plug-ins!  We were only on the train for about 3 1/2 hours and it went by so fast.  Everyone, even my paranoid cousin (who had to take a Valium), said they had a great time. 

"Picnik Show"                                                Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

This was just the beginning to a fabulous fun weekend.  I'll be back tomorrow to show you more pictures.


Have you been on a train ride?  Where to? 

12 Years

Just want to take this time to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my hubby!

Thank you for the happily ever after.

I love you,

Jenny

Sunday in the Square

Last Sunday, we went to see Cirque Dreams Illuminations at the PAC.  

It was our usual girls day, but this time we brought the little peeps along.  

They absolutely LOVED it!  We had ages from 5-9 and they all really enjoyed themselves.  We highly recommend Cirque! 


After the PAC, we went out to eat and let them run around like crazies play at Utica Square.  

It is one of my FAVORITE places in Tulsa.  Me and my girls frequent the Square often...we love it there...and so do our kiddos!
We finished the day off with a Starbucks...

and sat and watched the sun go down...

and chatted until our hearts were content.  
It was a good day♥


What is your favorite thing(s) to do with your friends?


This weekend, I'm on a fun little trip with my immediate and extended family.  Can't wait to share the pics when I get back!  Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

Kindergarten Is Over :(

Today was the last day of kindergarten.  I can't believe he'll be in 1st grade next year!  Where has the time gone?!

My little sugar bear is going to be in 1st grade!  


I have to keep telling myself that in hopes that it'll sink in and I'll adjust to the idea.

We have a really fun adventure planned for this weekend!  I can't wait to take pictures and share them with you guys!  

Are your kiddos out of school yet?  

What are your plans for summer?

Hope everyone is having a great week!♥

You Can Call Me...

"Isaiah's Mom".

That's right.  I'm no longer "Jennifer", "Jenny", "Jenny Kate", "Jen"...nope, I'm "Isaiah's Mom".  

I remember when I was younger and my mom would jokingly say that she should just change her name to "Jenny's Mom" and I didn't quite fully get the gist of that.  Now I do.  After spending a couple of hours with Isaiah's kindergarten class, I now know what she was talking about.  

"Hey, Isaiah's Mom...take my picture!"

"Hey, Isaiah's Mom...see how fast I can run!"
"Hey, Isaiah's Mom...can you tie my shoe?"

"Hey, Isaiah's Mom...what's your name?"  
I say, "Jenny".


10 second later.  Same kid.  "Hey, Isaiah's Mom...watch me do THIS!"

I kinda dig it.

I think it's a pretty good fit.  


Hosted by Cecily and ???

Simplicity of Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid-air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

The which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill.

~Robert Frost

Jenny Kate from A to Z

This week over at The RHOK, we're giving tidbits about ourselves from A to Z...play along, it's FUN!

A - Age: 32

B - Bed size: King

C - Chore you hate: Folding and putting away laundry!UGH!

D - Dog(s') name: Belle...not Bella, she came along way before Twilight came into my life.

E - Essential start your day item: COFFEE! and hugs

F - Favorite color: Red

G - Gold or Silver or Platinum: Silver

H - Height: 5'5 and 1/2...don't forget the 1/2

I - Instruments you play(ed): I played the recorder once...does that count?

J - Job title: Wife, Mom, Accounting Clerk

K - Kid(s): Isaiah

L - Living arrangements: Expanding

M - Mom's name: Ronda

N - Nicknames: Jenny Kate, Jen

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: none, thank the Lord, because I don't like hospitals.

P - Pet Peeve: bad grammar and people who use other people just to get what they want...then ditch the people they used, until they need them again...whoa, was that a tangent?  Yes, yes it was.

Q - Quote from a movie/show:

“Ma, can we get some meatloaf!”

 -Chazz Reinhold from The Wedding Crashers
R - Right handed or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: a step-brother and step-sister, and a half-sister and two half-brothers

T - Time you wake up: 6:00ish

U- Underwear: it's situational

V - Vegetable you dislike: tomatoes, no wait that's a fruit

W - Why you run late: Um, usually just me...I have this insane need to try to fit too many things into my morning.

X - X-rays you've had: my nose, I passed out once and cracked my nose.

Y - Yummy food you make: I make really good pasta dishes.  I think it's because I'm such a pasta freak and I just know what tastes good...lots of experience!

Z - Zoo favorite: Primates

House Update

As promised, here's a little house add-on update:

Last week, after taking down the fence and cleaning out and moving two storage sheds, we were finally ready for the footing to be dug and poured...

During the digging process, our DSL and phone line was cut, but thankfully they are fixed now!  Whew.  Can't go without the DSL! (I was having blogging/facebooking withdraws)

The next phase is setting the forms for the foundation.  *fingers crossed* Hopefully that will happen in the next week or so.  We have a nasty looking forecast this week here in NE Oklahoma, lots of rain and severe storms predicted...so, we'll see how it goes.  I think it will finally seem real to me when there are walls up! 

How was every one's Mother's Day?  Mine was fantastic!  Isaiah got me a New Moon lunchbox, a new Edward and Bella bookmark, a Twilight bracelet, and a new necklace!  Does he know his momma or what?! I hope you all had a wonderful day!

Please Excuse The Mess

We're starting the long awaited building process at our house today!  We've been preparing for the last month (longer actually) by getting our floor plans drawn up, a building permit secured, and taking down fencing and storage sheds. 

I have a piece of advice.  Do not store clothing or shoes...you will NOT retrieve it and when/if you do, it WILL be out of style.  Also, NEVER store anything in a cardboard box...ever.  I would also recommend clear storage containers.  Trust me.  I know what I'm talking about.

We've lived in our house for almost 8 years  (a very small house - 1100 sq ft) and we built it with the intention of adding on 2 years after we moved in.  Don't ask us what we were thinking...we honestly don't know.  We had these lofty dreams of building debt free.  We were young, childless, and carefree.  Just about the time we were thinking about Phase 2 of our house building, Phase 2 of our lives started...parenthood.  So, phase 2 has been on hold for about 6 years. 

Our footing is being dug today.  That means I'll be internet-less for a few days while they relocate all of our telephone lines.  Also, my house is a mess due to all the work going on outside, and I can only see it getting worse before it gets better.  So, if I'm not here as much, that will be why.  I'll try to post pictures as we go along.  We're planning on doing a lot of the finish work ourselves, so I'm sure that will lead to some good blog fodder.  I have a feeling this is going to be a long process.  I may need talked down from the ledge from time to time.  Just remind me that it will all be worth it in the end! 

Hope you guys have a wonderful Wednesday!

She Said "Yes"

I'm joining the ladies of RHOK (Real Housewives of Oklahoma) in their McLinky Monday!

Today over at The RHOK, the housewives want to know how your spouse proposed to you.  (You've got to go read Mrs. Albright's recount of how her prince proposed...it's truly the most romantic thing EVER!)

My story goes like this...

The year was 1997, I was a sophomore in college at THE University of Oklahoma.  I remember Michael came over to my dorm room and asked me if I wanted to go on a walk around campus.  I agreed.  We often went on walks around the campus, so this was nothing out of the ordinary.  We love OU and the campus is beautiful at night, especially during the spring and summer months. 

The gardens on the ovals are overflowing with flowers. 

One of our favorite spots to sit and talk was near the clock tower.  This was where we stopped that night.   

There are these little fountains that spurt water and a bench where you can sit right in front of them.  It's lit up at night, a little on the romantic side. 

 So this is where Michael proposed...

Out of nowhere, he got down on one knee.

I remember that I started feeling very nervous...like "what the heck are you doing?"  And then it hit me.  I'm pretty sure I was a few short moments from a panic attack.

I think he said something like "I want to spend the rest of my life with you"...(he'll correct me later if I'm wrong)...

and asked me to marry him. 

I said "YES".

We'll be married 12 years this coming May.

What is your proposal story?  Go share it over at The RHOK...you don't have to be from Oklahoma!