Birthday Party Idea for Sports Fans

As a mom who is always planning gatherings, parties and events, whether at work or at home. So of course I have spent years making sure my kids have fun birthday parties.
However, this year my plate was a little to full to take on another celebration. After tossing around some ideas for my son’s 10th birthday, my daughter suggested Space Coast Sports Academy, which is located in Melbourne and opened this past March.
We celebrated Kaden’s birthday in June with a group of his friends, mostly boys. My son was able to pick from a list of games to be played, which were a big hit with not just for the boys who attended but the girls as well.
Planning a party in June you always have the threat of bad weather in Florida. This particular day it was a downpour but indoors we had a full game of dodge ball, kick ball, an obstacle course and basketball. The staff filled in to even out the teams for better competition. One employee was assigned as our party assistant making sure food / cake / presents were done at the time I liked. She boxed up the left over cake, decorations and put together all the presents for us to take….even reminded us that we had goodie bags (we provided) to hand out.
The price is well worth it, leaving nothing out (pizza, cake, soda all included), but more importantly I was able to take pictures at my leisure, sit back and enjoy the party!
http://spacecoastsportsacademy.com/

The Super Bowl, I guess it Can Be Called a Holiday

Superbowl Stuff

It’s the most watched TV broadcast of the year

2nd largest US food comsuption day (Thanksgiving is 1st)

First game was 1/15/67 as part of agreement between the NFL and AFL

They use Roman numerals rather than the year since the season extends beyong New Years Eve

Superbowl XLI was the 1st to feature rain
Snow is unlikly since the NFL doesn’t schedule games in open air stadiums in the North

No team has posted a shutout
In Superbowl VII the Redskins scored their only point by a touchdown off a blocked field goal

No team has had a home field advantage. Lots of games are played in Miami and New Orleans but neither of the teams have played during these games.

Closest to overtime plays were: Baltimore kicking a game winning field goal with 05 left – Superbowl V, Tennessee being stopped 1 yard short of a tying touchdown as time expired in Superbowl XXXIV, Patriots kicking 2 game winning field goals in the closing seconds – Superbowl XXXVI as time expired and Superbowl XXXVIII with 04 left.

Considering how popular the game is videotapes of the first 2 games are not known to exist.
Prices for commericals have increased each year some. Many people tune in to the Super Bowl solely to watch commercials.

Earlier Super Bowls featured halftime show consisting of marching bands from schools, but as the popularity of the game increased, so did the potential of exposure. This has led to trend where a number of popular singers and musicians have performed during its pre-game ceremonies, the 1/2 time show or even just singing the national anthem of the United States.
Unlike regular season or playoff games, one hour is allocated for the Super Bowl halftime.
One especially memorable performance came in 2002, when U2 performed. During their second song, "Where the Streets Have No Name," the band played under a large projection screen which scrolled through all the names of the victims of 9/11.

The halftime show in 2004 generated controversy with Justine Timberlake and Janet Jackson...need I say more. The NFL, embarrassed by the incident, permanently banned MTV from doing another halftime show in any capacity.

Except for Super Bowl XXXIX, the famous "I'm Going to Disney World!" campaign took place at every Super Bowl since it started at SB XXI. Typically, Disney ran the ad several times during the game showing several players from both teams practicing the catch-phrase.

Most of the Super Bowls have been played in one of these cities: New Orleans and Miami. Other hosts to follow are Tampa and San Diego. Miami Gardens has been selected to host Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. The location of the Super Bowl is chosen by the NFL well in advance, usually 3 to 5 years before the game. Cities place bids to host a Super Bowl.

The designated "home team" alternates between the NFC team in odd-numbered games and the AFC team in even-numbered games

Since SB XIII January 79, the home team is given the choice of jerseys, colored or white.

The NFL is vigilant on stopping unauthorized commercial use of its trademarked terms "NFL," "Super Bowl," or "Super Sunday"; as a result, many events and promotions timed to the game but not sanctioned by the NFL are forced to refer to it as "the Big Game", or with other generic descriptions.

In 06, the NFL made an attempt to trademark "The Big Game" as well. However, it withdrew their application in 07 due to growing commercial opposition to the move.

Valentines Day

Valentines Trivia
At work people like to participate in overhead trivia and I like to find fun facts, but Valentines Day doesn’t give too much of a selection as far as questions. Well name that (love) tune is fun but I cannot really post that.

1. What profession receives the most Valentines Day cards?
2. What is the most popular candy given out on Valentines Day?
3. The peak selling season for conversation heats only lasts about 6 weeks, how many months do you think it takes for the company to prepare all that candy?
4. Steven Spielberg wanted to use M&M’s in the movie ET but was turned down by the company. What candy did he end up using?
5. What is the number one gift given to women on Valentines Day?
Answers
1. Teachers
2. Conversation Hearts
3. 11 months
4. M&M’s
5. Red Roses

Name the Artist Who Made these Love Songs Famous, see if you can name the year:
1. Let's Get It On
2. Love Me Tender
3. Let’s Stay Together
4. You’re the First, The Last, My Everything
5. I’ve Got You Babe
6. Wonderful Tonight
7. Faithfully
8. I’ll Always Love You

Answers
1. 1973 Marvin Gaye – one day before his 45th birthday, Marvin’s parents were arguing. His attempt to intervene ended when he was killed by his father after being shot. His father was given just 6 years of probation because it was discovered he had a brain tumor.
2. 1956 Elvis – did you know he was an identical twin? Elvis’s brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn.
3. 1972 Al Green – Al’s girlfriend, who was married, became upset when he refused to marry her. Later that night she dumped hot grits on him causing 3rd degree burns on him, she then fatally shot herself with his gun.
4. 1975 Barry White
5. 1965 Sonny & Cher (hey, I like that name)
6. 1978 Eric Clapton
7. 1983 Journey
8. 1992 Whitney Houston – this song was originally sung by Dolly Parton

Christmas Lights

Most Christmas lights sold now are LED’s. At first I didn’t care for the hue of the lights because they were different enough from the old skool ones that you can tell from a far. Now I am use to them. LED’s are initially more expensive, but they cost less to use and last longer. My husband found some on EBAY last year and purchased some to see how good they were…because they were much cheaper than in the stores. The nice thing about LED’s is that they stay cool no matter how long they are on, and if you read my cheap decorating tips with cotton then you know why cool lights are better.

Christmas Lights

I’m thinking this could be green but maybe to some not. For Christmas I have almost all my lights on a timer. They come on right before I get home (that’s nice) and they go off before I go to bed. How can this be green? Well many people forget to turn them off, especially those outside. I no longer have to think of that. I have purchased enough timers over the years to cover all areas. They get packed away with the lights. I also do not use lamps or lights other than Christmas most of the season. My husband doesn’t care for this type of lighting all the time but Santa likes it!

Christmas in Melbourne

Wickham Lights – I just love this park and have gone there since I was a teen. It hasn’t changed a whole lot but they have made some improvements with additions to certain areas. Something they started several years ago was a light fest during Christmas. This is put on by the park and the Space Coast Rotary Club. It opens usually the weekend of Thanksgiving until the New Year. The cost is for a car load, this year was $10, and you can drive through twice. Lights are on the boarder of both lakes all the way around and the grand finale is a tunnel of multicolor blinking lights. It is something festive to do with the family. If you bring canned goods you can save $2. They do have a hay ride night which I went to this year, but I have to say as fun as a hay ride is to look at lights, it was like waiting to go on the biggest ride in a theme park. We were in lines for almost 1 ½ hours and then our trailer went through at such a pace I missed the whole beginning. I would love to see them offer a walk through the lights one year, no cars, just walkers. Until then pack your car with people and drive through with Christmas music playing and enjoy the sights. *If you have a dog looked under the K9 section for a review on Wickham Park’s dog area

Christmas

Decorating for Christmas and being organized???
Yes, it is possible. I put up a lot and have been organized for years. The biggest reason how? A file in the computer, it may seem anal but it works for me. I currently have 22 totes plus trees, wreaths and more trees and I’m talking large Rubbermaid totes. But I know what is in each one and they are all numbered. Being stored away with many other totes for other holidays numbers didn’t stand out enough so I colored each one. All Christmas has a red / gold stripe and then the number, orange for Halloween and so on. While I pack I keep my file up on the screen and type what is going in each box. Why? Because with so much decorating I may need to find 1-2 items to complete a room. This keeps me much saner and doesn’t take as much time as you may think. I also write myself a note telling me what needs to be replaced, items to purchase or ideas for gifts.

My Aunt & Uncle's Village

New Years

New Years Eve Party
Each year I pick a theme, well not every year but every year for the past 5, prior to that we still hosted a party but no theme. The theme adds something, making it different than the years before. Even if you do the same entertaining, themes make it special in some ways. I will write more on themes and ideas later.
One thing we consistently do is a scratch off ticket drawing. Over the years we have changed the “rules” and have got it down to a science now. Each person contributes on $1 scratch off ticket or $1 value per person. So a family of 5 can put in a $5 scratch off. All names are written down and 3 piles are made with the tickets. This year we had $36 worth = 34 tickets, then names are drawn. Yeah, you only have 3 winners but its fun and only cost you $1. We have had small winners but are still waiting for that year when someone scratches off a big number. Just make sure you explain this ahead and remind people to bring a ticket.
Hosting the party can be costly but don’t be shy in saying “bring a dish to share”, most guests like to bring something and will ask. My family is great about stepping up and going beyond the dish to make sure we have enough. If the party is just a out of the ordinary gathering for you then supplying everything is fine, but if you are the host house year after year with the same people they wont mind. We still have to work on the right amount of food; we always have way too much!
If you are using plastic cups, set out Sharpie markers so people can write their names on them. Losing your drink sucks but it’s not as bad as drinking someone else’s! Also set out recycling bins with a sign telling people to use it. For me it was easier to tell them to put all recycling in the sink and I took it out for them. Of course this works on any party not just New Years.

Christmas - How to Cheaply Decorate

This is a task, but cheap doesn’t give you permission to be tacky…blah! I have weaned out my tacky items from when I was younger over the years because it drove me nuts to see it up at Christmas. I am not into toys that sings, and dance, but enjoy more traditional décor. This year I gave in to my husband and threw away my favorite Christmas tree. I purchased it in 1994 at Ben Franklin craft store, it was 10 feet and very dimensional with areas to hang ornaments real close to the trunk. After we moved our ceiling was only 8 feet, no problem, I had Adam cut the bottom 2 feet. Over the years it started to shed like a real tree but I still loved it, call me Linus. Anyway, last year was it final one, but I wasn’t convinced until it came out of the shed for Christmas 08. It was shedding like a dead pine tree left in the woods during a hot summer. To soften the blow Adam offered me money to buy whatever tree I wanted, so out I went searching like you would if you were cutting one down yourself. I had to look from all angles and finally decided on a rustic green tree with pinecones, berries, and bare branches on it. I’m not a huge fan of pre-lit but you can hardly find any that aren’t now-a days. I like to change my colors from year to year, but had to settle on white lights. Putting it up and turning it on was like a winter sun rising, it was so bright, not what I like. So I put the blinkers on and that seemed to help. For days it sat undecorated, my sister said “you don’t even need to decorate that tree it’s so pretty”, she was right, it really was pretty. But I own so many ornaments that I had to decorate it somehow. I broke my own rule and bought some cheap plastic balls, 2 sets of 8, all matching in the same color scheme. I used “sets” of my rustic ornaments, home-made ones and plaid bows. The tree ended up better than I thought it would. I love it! I have collected Hallmarks and Disney ornaments for years and not one was put on this tree. The cost of the balls, small bows, matching ribbon for a topper, and other sets could have been done in under $50. I have been given some really nice hand made things over the years and they went perfectly on the tree.

My New Tree


Did I mention I have 3 other full size trees to decorate? Also some smaller ones, but I enjoy it. A great cheap way to fill your tree – cotton. The bag cotton works best; you can find some with shinny thread in it or glitter. Take a wad, using both hands pull in opposite direction, (make sure this is cotton and NOT angel hair), almost like you are making a log with dough. Have some at one height and the tail end go up or down, like snow on a tree. One bag is enough and under LED lights it is really pretty.


My Living Room Tree
I like to have a little Christmas all over. Another cheap thing to do is purchase bundles of holly / poinsettias and cut them. Take the pieces and place them random places, but do not be too cheap or it will look like it. Put a few together – like next to a picture frame, or on a shelf in the bathroom. I also use the same bundles outside near the mailbox.
Although many of us have no money after Christmas, it is a great time to get 1/ 2 off or even more on things for next year. I usually pick up something and then the next year when I get out all my decorations I find a gift for myself, and it’s something I like…that’s fun!

Christmas

Having a baby at Christmas time is just the icing on the cake. But when your baby is discovering new stuff you have to watch out during the holiday season since so many extra things are put out. My daughter’s 1st Christmas she was almost a year since she was born the January before. I decided to put my living room tree up on a table making it touch the ceiling, and then left all my breakable and meaningful ornaments off. It’s just one year and if I can do it so can you. Keep in mind that many things have little pieces and add some lights and you have an area screaming “come touch me” to a small child.
Don’t forget to get a baby’s 1st Christmas or some type of ornament for the new member of the family. I get my kids an ornament each year that kind of represent that year – one year my son was into “Arthur”, so I found him with snowflakes, of course that fad left but he still enjoys talking about it when the ornament is opened each year.

Memorial Day

Having a Myspace is what really started the bug to blog (and thanks to Joey). So I am reposting some information I had originally put on Myspace. Memorial Day is a very important holiday for me. I know many Vets who have passed away, not through an act of war, but of unrelated events. I have a few who hold a special place in my heart and some I will never forget. I may not participate in the events I did as a child, such as a parade, but this day doesn’t pass without me reflecting on the true meaning.
I found this information: My flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?
Section 8k of the Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag. And be sure to consider providing a small donation to them for their assistance. Or you can contact your local Elks Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day, established officially by President Truman, himself a member of the Elks), the American Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops also can provide this service.
What can we do on Memorial Day to observe traditions? Visit a cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes, visits memorials, fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon, fly the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well, participate in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day, initially called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Most traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years; people have forgotten the meanings of these customs. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps." We need to remember with sincere respect those who paid the price for our freedoms; we need to keep in sacred remembrance those who died serving their country. We need to never let them be forgotten.

*My favorite WWII Vet, my Poppy (in the middle)

– Battery C 1st Battalion 187th Field Artillery
Why Red Poppies???
Why Red Poppy's? In 1915, inspired by a poem Moina Michael replied with her own poem: We cherish too, the Poppy red, that grows on fields where valor led. It seems to signal to the skies that blood of heroes never dies. (doesn't make much sense huh?) She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, then sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. You can still find them being sold (usually Walmart), so next time don't just walk by, purchase one and support a great cause.

Christmas Cookie Exchange

For the past 3 years, I think 3; I have hosted a “Christmas Cookie Exchange”. We have made changes and added things. Now it’s a cookie exchange, ornament swap dinner. It’s important that guests RSVP and tell you what cookie they will be making. Give your guests a heads up to the date so they are prepared. We exchange 6 dozen cookies which sounds like a lot but really it isn’t. Each guest brings 6 dozen of one type of cookie, a wrapped ornament (pick a $ limit), a dish to share and most important a container to take their cookies home it. Each guest will leave a full stomach, an ornament and with the same amount of cookies they came with but instead of 1 type they will have a Christmas variety sure to please everyone including Santa. All cookies are displayed in nice baskets or trays, once you divide up the # of guests to the #of cookies (give or take a few) then let everyone know how many of each to take. For the ornament we do the Chinese Exchange with a few rules – like an ornament can be “stolen” only 2 times, then it is retired. It’s a fun evening and I look forward to this annual event with my family & friends. One year my brother sat in with us girls for his then girlfriend since she was away. He had a fun time with all the cookies! If you are hosting your first exchange you may want it to be a little more low key without dinner or an ornament. I think last year I even added a game to prolong the night.

Valentine Trivia

Trivia I compiled while weeding out stupid questions:
What profession receives the most Valentines Day cards? Teacher
What is the most popular candy given out on Valentine’s Day? Conversation hearts
The peak selling season for conversation hearts last only six weeks, how many months do you think it takes for the company to prepare all that candy? Eleven months
Steven Spielberg wanted to use M&M’s in the movie ET but was turned down by the company. What candy did he end up using? Reeses Pieces
Who is the winged and mischievous little angel pierces the hearts of his victims with his bows and arrows? Cupid
What is the number one gift given to women on Valentines Day?Red roses
A city in Italy receives about a 1,000 letters every year on Valentines Day addressed to what Shakespearian character? Juliet who lived with Romeo in Verona, Italy

You can remove the year and have people put these songs in order:
Let's Get It On - 1973 Marvin Gaye
Love Me Tender - 1956 Elvis Presley
Let's Stay Together - 1972 Al Green
You're The First, The Last, My Everything - 1975 Barry White
I Got You Babe - 1965 Sonny & Cher
Wonderful Tonight - 1978 Eric Clapton
Faithfully - 1983 Journey
I Will Always Love You - 1992 Whitney Houston

Actually some of these were stupid too, oh well.