Charlie's 19th Birthday

My kids are not spoiled.  No, really, they truly aren't.  However, every once in a while, an opportunity arises that is very difficult to pass up.  Such was the case for Charlie's birthday this year.  While looking for his birthday present, a CD from his favorite a cappella group, Home Free, I came across their tour dates.  Lo and behold, they were going to be in Denver the day after his birthday.  Next bonus, the tickets were affordable! Now, for those of you that know me, I have a hard time holding back a gift that I've gotten - I am one of those that has to give it away at the next opportunity.  However, I restrained.  I had gotten the tickets for the concert in January!!!  Yes, three months I had to hold out - it was torture.  It's a good thing that everyone else in the family can keep a secret, cuz I had to tell someone!  

Anyway, let me start with the cake.  Charlie is an avid sci fi fan.  Therefore, one of his favorite shows aired in the 2002.  Though it was short-lived, Firefly was actually a pretty amazing show that was cut short before it could develop a huge fan base.  So to explain the cake, I offer this short clip from the pilot episode: Wash and his dinosaurs.  

This Land

I think we should call it your GRAVE!!

AAHHH! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!!

HA! HA! HA!  Mine is an evil laugh!  Now DIE!!

Charlie's favorite line

He appreciated the cake and it was an easy one for me - win, win!  Then, I gave him his card which contained the tickets to the concert.  I wish I had the video or pictures of his face, however, my computer is not working correctly and so I am unable to upload them from my ancient camera onto my online drive.  When I do, I'll come back and repost them.  His reaction was priceless!  The rest of the pictures are of the show.  It was his first concert. He was so excited that I was sure he was going to pop a couple seams somewhere!!! 

You'll want to slide-show the rest of the pictures and I will tell the story through the captions. 

Home Free

Super excited!

When is it going to start?

Charlie and I waiting in anticipation.

The opening act: FACE - great group.  They really set the stage and got the crowd pumped up even more.

Home Free: Tim, Austin, Rob, Chris, and Adam

Because it was so loud in such a small theater, the quality of the recording is not the best.  If you want to hear this song without the distortion, go to Wake Me Up

Without the distortion

All About That Bass

This was one of my favorite moments of the show:  Tim is singing Your Man' - great bass song but then he goes a bit over the top and get put in his place!  However, he combats this by starting the next note so low that the speaker on the camera couldn't even pick it up.  In fact, we felt the rumble in our chairs before we heard the note!  I wish I could impart the feeling to you.

Adam:  I swear he has a couple extra tongues or his is split into a few sections.  I don't know how he can make the sounds that he does, but he is amazing!  I know people who have 10-piece drum sets that can't rival him!

The distortion is pretty gnarly on these next couple of videos, but if you can overlook that, you too will glimpse the genius that is Adam.

Us out front after the concert - it was AMAZING!!!!!

After the concert, we were able to meet the group and get autographs.  He shook Tim's hand (I don't believe its been washed since!).  Then to top it off, Tim signed his CD "Happy Birthday, Charlie"!

For me, the best part was on the way home after he had bought us lunch and we were back on the road.  He looked at me and said, "Best Birthday, EVER!!"  Now, what am I going to do next year!?!?!?!

If you ever get the opportunity to go see these guys, GO, as fast as you can!  They put on a three hour show that was so worth every penny and moment.  I LOVE these guys and will go see them again if given the opportunity!!!

Party Like It's 1965

Our version of the 'Swanky 60's'

For Darin's 50th birthday, we decided to do a throwback theme.  I tried to include the iconic drinks, food, and decorations from the time period, as well as dressing the part!

I'll ty to put in as much detail as I can as to decorations and how to's.  For all the printables, rather than individual links, they are all saved on my Pinterest board 'Darin's 50th Bday' check them out there!

  

Musical themed cake - the decorations are all made from chocolate

Table decorations - the small jar is filled with Jolly Rancher Fire Candies and reads '50 and still hot!'  The tall jar is filled with Hershey's kisses and reads 'Kiss your 40's Goodbye!'  

I found this 16th Century replica of an Italian globe bar at the Goodwill for $25!!!  It fit perfectly!!!

Also at the Goodwill was this magazine from February 1965!

The bottle was supposed to look like it had had many candles burnt in it....  I guess 7 and 10 year old girls have no idea what dripping was would look like!!!

These recipes all came from a 1965 'How to entertain' article

One thing I did was add pictures of Darin throughout his life.  It provided a great source of entertainment and conversation to all of our guests.

The old record player and 45's belonged to my grandparent and was passed to me after they passed on.

The spiky balls are just styrofoam with skewers poked in them and then painted gold.

Two of my favorite pictures!  He is on the far left.

Another super Goodwill find was the fondue pot.  We also had sweet and sour meatballs.

We tried to make a blacklight photobooth since that was just starting to come onto the scene, but were unable to get the blacklights bright enough to fill the space.  Oh well, we did have glowlight fans.... ;)

Darin and a few of the boys around the bonfire!

Shannon and Sheila - the hippy and the greaser

And the party aftermath with the candy cigarettes and the big pink curlers that were in the bathroom!!

 Let me know what you think!!  Overall, I think we captured the spirit of the 60's and we all had a great time drinking Manhattans, Old Fashioned's and SoCo Sours and jiving to music played on a phonograph with all the snaps and crackles that accompany old records.  It was a great party!!

The Diva's 10th Birthday

Overall, the Diva Party was a HUGE Success!!!  The girls had a grand time getting their make-overs and then walking the catwalk to show off their amazing styles.  I am SO grateful to the slew of teenage girls that helped with the stations - as well as a couple teenagers at heart!!  And the immortal words that every mother wants to hear at the end of the day from the birthday girl, "Wow, Mom!  That was the best party ever!!"

Yay, ME!!!  {HAPPY DANCE, HAPPY DANCE} Just imagine it in your head!!

The Cake

The Make Up Station - Thank You, Tori!

The Nail Station - Thank You, Sam!!

The "Make Your Own Lip Gloss" Station - Thank You, Shannon!

The Hair Station - Thank You, Sierra!

Short video of the glamour session.  Taylor Swift, Blank Space - playing in the background.

The Diva herself

Strike a pose!

The Presents

The Toast

The FUN!!!

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!!  If you have any questions about the decorations or stations, please ask, I'd be happy to share my recipe for hair chalk, lip gloss, or any other part of the party!!