Have a Kickin’ Kindergarten Graduation Party

They may be little, but graduation day is still a big deal for kindergarteners.  Young kids love to celebrate and while mastering the ABCs and 123s may not compare to earning a college degree, it warrants some type of ceremony. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank honoring your little graduate.  Rather, keep the shindig simple by selecting a theme that yields itself to inexpensive fun.  For example: Books:  Ask your child’s teacher what books the kids read in class during the course of the academic year.  Then, select a few titles and incorporate them into the theme.  You … Continue reading

Budget Graduation Parties

In 1996, the late, great American novelist Nora Ephron shared the following pearl of wisdom with Wellesley College’s graduating class:  “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” Ten years into the future, not every student will be able to remember the commencement speech given on graduation day, but he will likely recall the party celebrating his academic achievements.  Fortunately, you don’t have to go bankrupt hosting a summer shindig for your graduating student. By incorporating these affordable elements, you can give your grad a rad party he will remember for years to come: Open House:  … Continue reading

Manti Te’o and the Girlfriend that Wasn’t – Part 1

Oh, as if my Notre Dame Fighting Irish haven’t suffered enough indignities due to their National Championship romp by the Crimson Tide, now a scandal has surfaced involving one of it’s most popular football players. Manti Te’o, in case you don’t know, was the Irish star linebacker.  A senior, he was nominated for the Heisman Trophy (he lost to Johnny Football) and no doubt coming off an undefeated season, was looking forward to all the NFL had to offer. Then, the bruising at the championship.  As if that weren’t enough, Te’o is now the center of a hoax scandal.  Through … Continue reading

Couple Visits Disneyland Every Day in 2012

At the end of 2012 I came across an interesting post on the official Disney Parks blog: a couple visited Disneyland every single day in 2012.  On December 31, Jeff Reitz and Tonya Mickesh received special gifts personally from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs.  It was a typical fancy Disney ceremony: as the two made their way down Main Street, Staggs was waiting for them to present their honors in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Their honors included being made honorary citizens of Disneyland, and a stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite, a luxury apartment off the … Continue reading

College Students Try to End Slavery

College football is on a lot of minds tonight.  I myself am sitting here watching the BCS Championship out of the corner of my eye (my other eye is crying for the plight of the Fighting Irish) while writing this blog. But, some college students have something other than the national championship football game on their minds. Last Friday, the Passion 2014 conference wrapped up at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  Attending were about 60,000 young Christians from 56 different countries and 2,300 universities.  The four day conference consisted of community group learning sessions. What was on their mind?  Primarily, … Continue reading

Picking Pumpkins Part II

After a thirty minute drive in the glorious autumn weather, surrounded by the beauty of fall, we arrived at our destination: The Orchard and Pumpkin Patch. My two children, my little sister, and I met my other sister (she is of course my little sister’s older sister too), her husband, and their daughter. The orchard was very busy with only a week to go before Halloween and subsequently “Beggars Night” (something we do not celebrate with trick or treating). There were lots of children with their parents scoping out the pumpkin patch. After I got the stroller out of the … Continue reading

Money Saving Idea: Throw a College Trunk Party

A college trunk party can help your student gather all of the items that he or she will need for college, keep you on budget and give everyone a reason to celebrate the milestone of going into higher learning. Friends and relatives enjoy college trunk parties, because it gives them a chance to wish their student well, all while giving them a tangible way to help during this exciting milestone. At a trunk party, guests celebrate and bring gifts that a college student might need, such as gas cards, bedding, school supplies, dorm decor, etc. First, purchase a large college … Continue reading

Upcoming Genealogy Events – Week of June 17, 2012

Every week, there are plenty of genealogy classes, workshops, and events happening, all across the United States. Attending one is a great way for a genealogist to learn more about their favorite hobby. Of course, before you can attend one, you need to find out about it! Here are some upcoming genealogy events that will be going on this week. On June 19, 2012, Ancestry.com will present another Ancestry.com LIVE event. You can catch it as it is streamed live through Livestream. This one is called “Using Ancestry.com Member Profiles”. It will begin at 1:00 in the afternoon, and will … Continue reading

Homemade Graduation Party Favors

Not for nothing, but these are not the kind of favors I’ll be handing out at my daughter’s high school graduation party. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose controversial or costly items to hand out to guests at a commencement party. Most of the people attending your student’s shindig are there to reminisce about the many milestones they’ve accomplished in high school and chat about what the future holds as they head off to college. The focus of the party should be on spending quality item with one another; not worrying about what types of trinkets should be dispersed at … Continue reading

Making Party Planning Fun

My friend’s son graduates from high school next week. Two days later, her home will be filled with no less than 175 of her son’s nearest and dearest pals, thanks in large part to the fact that he created a Facebook page dedicated solely to informing his peeps about his grad party. The ingenious teen is having a blast planning his commencement shindig, including constantly updating his online party page. His mom, not so much. While she is thrilled to commemorate her son’s milestone, trying to figure out how she is going to keep 175 teens and their parents entertained—outside, … Continue reading