IT WAS A YEAR OF PARTIES!

I thought it would be fun to join in the party that Cindy over at Romantic Homes is hosting. She has asked us to go through our photos and posts and do a review of 2009.

In doing so, I noticed 2009 was filled with parties, parties and more parties.

So, my review is going to be of all the fun parties I've thrown this year.


The first party of 2009 was Trinity's birthday party. Every year it's a different theme.

For her 8th birthday it was all about horses!

We went to a local petting zoo and had a BBQ, played games, opened presents and rode on the train. The high light was when all the kids got to ride on a horse.

For some, it was the first time they had been on a horse before.

It was a fun time and, per Trinity, "a birthday she will never forget".

It's almost time for her birthday party this year. Wow! She is almost 9 years old. Growing up so fast. The theme this year is going to be MAGIC!


The next party was a baby shower for a friend. The theme was "Welcome to the Nest Little One".

Of course that meant birds and nests were the main theme of the decor.

Since she was having a little boy (her 4th boy) the color was blue and brown.

My favorite thing of the whole shower was the cupcakes! Little bird nests with baby birds popping up. You can see them here.


Then came the darling Alice in Wonderland birthday party for my sister, Patty.

This was a surprise party. She didn't have a clue what we were up to. It was just our family as she made me promise not to have a big party for her.

However, the decorations were so cute. Thanks to Donna at Party Wishes. This is one of her parties you can rent. If you have not been to her blog you must go see it. She has the best parties in town!


Summer time was a great reason to throw a FUN IN THE SUN party for Trinity and a few of her girlfriends.

They ate, played water games, jumped on the trampoline as they squirted the hose and had a fun time.

We decided to have more of these smaller parties with just three or so friends over so she can have some quality time with her friends.

Our next girlfriend party is going to be a Barbie theme.


The annual Halloween party, I throw for Trinity, was a big hit this year. It was all about Pirates!

We had food, games, crafts, tattoos and so much fun! All the kids said they loved going to Trinity's parties because they have such a good time.

I'm already in the planning mode for this years Halloween party.


After all the fun with the kids on Halloween, I wanted to have a little party for adults. So I had a Witches Lunch.

It was nice to sit down and enjoy some time with my sisters and friend and it was decided we all want to do this every year.

The year closed up with a Christmas Cookie party for Trinity and a few of her friends.

Each girl got to make and decorate their own cookies to take home.

We had dinner, baked cookies and the girls all won awards for their cookies.

Next Christmas we are going to make Gingerbread Houses.

So that's about how my life is, if I'm not throwing a party, I'm planning one.

I have several in the works right now. Of course there is Trinity's Birthday party coming up in Jan. Then I am having a small Valentine's Day lunch for my friends and sisters, maybe a St. Patrick's Day tea party, an Academy Award party, a New York theme birthday party for my sister, Maureen, a Barbie party, a flip flop summer party, the annual Halloween party, a Witches lunch and a Gingerbread House party.

Oh my! I'm tired already.

The year 2009 was a good year. I hope 2010 is even better.

Now be sure to go to Romantic Homes and see everyone's end of the year reviews.

Happy New Year!

THE PARTY IS OVER

Yesterday was Trinity's 8th birthday. We had a horse/cowgirl theme party for her. It was a big hit with all the kids.

There is a place in San Juan Capistrano called ZooMars. It's a family owned petting zoo.

From the first time I took Trinity there we knew this is where her next birthday party was going to be.

Trinity has always been a BIG animal lover. At this place you can pet the animals, feed them, hold them and even ride the horses.

We had 14 kids. Each was given a hat and scarf to get in the "mood" for the party.

We started out with eating a BBQ lunch of hot dogs and chicken. There were beans, macaroni salad, chips, veggie tray, watermelon and drinks. Everyone chowed down pretty fast so as to move onto the real fun!


We then went to feed the animals and play with them. The kids loved being able to pick them up.

From there all the kids road the horses. For some, it was the first time they had ever been on a horse. They all loved it.

After that they went for a train ride and then each took a crack at the pinata that was of course in the shape of a horse. Everyone got a bag full of candy.

While the excitment was still high from gathering the candy we all went back to the table area where each child got their own build a bear horse with their own cowboy outfit. The kids all said they felt like it was their birthday!

We then had cupcakes with chocolate horse suckers on top. Now, I admit the cupcakes were quick and easy to make but those chocolate suckers took forever to make. I only had one mold with four suckers. Painting in the different color chocolates and then letting them set went on and on. It was all worth it though as the kids LOVED the suckers more then the cupcakes.

Presents were then opened and a bit of fun run around time then it was time to say good bye. Each child got a goodie bag to take home. The goodie bag was a pail that looked like a bucket they feed the horses with. A bandanna lined the pail and it was filled with cowboy playing cards, gold nugget gum, grow your own horse, a harmonica, a horse puzzle, a horse calendar, a pencil with a cowboy boat eraser, a horse shoe magnate, candy and little horse figures.

The kids hated to leave but it was getting dark and the place was closing. Plus the adults were very tired and ready to go home.

So another year has come and gone. Time to start planning her 9th birthday party.