The Ultimate Blog Party 2013 - A Bit About The Cheeky Daddy

 

 

   The ladies over at 5MinutesForMom.com have a fun looking event going on. My mother raised us four boys on her own, and I think she could have used a group like them. They've invited dads to participate in order to grow, network, and share. So here's 10 things about The Cheeky Daddy:

 

1. I have three wee little ones: 7YO girl, 3YO boy, 7MO girl (yes ladies, the seat is officially kept down).

2. I've been at this blog since the first of 2011.
3. As an art major, I love fresh art supplies, and have a hard time bringing myself to using them.
4. As a kid, I once climbed the freeway fence and crossed all six lanes on foot, twice.
5. My favorite post to date is still Cheerios Butt.
6. I'm a bit of a pack rat, but must have my art space clean (The Wife LOVES that...).
7. I was to be named Clint or Jason, they chose Jason.
8. It takes over 750 lbs of power to drop a heavyweight boxer, and only 3 lbs. from my son's fist to my crotch to drop me.
9. I enjoy movies, books, plays, theatre, chick-flicks, guy-flicks, and cry at a good story ending,....much to my brother's fun-making delight.
10. You could once hold my blog up to your ear and hear the ocean. Now it's more like a small dorm party.

I wanted to keep this brief, but if there's overwhelming demand (1 or more requests), I'll add another ten. I know, I know, enquiring minds want to know! What secrets will be revealed! Whatever,...this Ultimate Blog Party 2013 should be pretty cool.

J.

Easter Party and Egg Decorating With Neighbors

"Last night I dreamed I ate a ten-pound marshmallow, 

and when I woke up the pillow was gone." - Tommy Cooper

   This past eve was too much fun. We headed over to the neighbors Easter party for a bite to eat, egg decorating, s'mores, and general hijinks. We had some pizza from a local place that's our "go to" for a great pie. That was mostly a formality in order to get to the good stuff. We got moving on the egg decorating and I drew the short straw to sit next to my 'Lil Man. He proceeded to drop the eggs into the color die from death defying heights like he was going for some kind of high score. The kids were all having a great time with it. Again though, just another step to the good stuff. 

   S'mores are a messy affair, but isn't that a small price to pay. There's an inherent peace to a fire pit. From our Wee Lass to the adults, the flames produce a calm that no medication can touch. If you'll see in the pic to the far right, it was a great evening between a father and a son. We roasted mallows together and found out a bit about our likes. I like to slow roast to a golden brown, while he likes to light that sucker on fire and yell, "Ziggybamwa!!!", before blowing out and feasting upon the sweetened charcoal. After they'd had their fill, the kiddies headed off to play games, chase each other around, and so forth. That left time for the segregation of the sexes. 

   The ladies were in the garage, talking about a number of different items. The guys stayed out by the fire and discussed politics over brandy and mustaches. Kidding, we laughed a lot. Stories of work, the kids, movies, etc. were all on the agenda. Did I mention we laughed a lot? My desire to repeat stems from a recent lack of guy time. The Wife and I love being together, working on our current wood pallet art projects. There's still the need to bond with members of your own gender clan also. I was happy The Wife was able to have some chat time, as she told me it was a great conversation and there were strides made to build friendships. Similarly, we guys need some time to give the Tim Allen "guy, power tools, drywall, ruff, ruff, ruff......." So it was time well spent. 

   Holiday aside, we discussed trying to start a once per week hang out to repeat the fun we had. We're game, and that's says something about getting out there, meeting new neighbors, and recapturing the community feel that I remember from when I was a kid. So as we head into spring, look for those opportunities to build relationships with friends, your children and their friends, and perfect the art of the s'more. By the way, the Jet Puffed Caramel/Vanilla marshmallows are super good. Try 'em out!

J. 

Throwing A Princess Party

"A party is a party,..." - Mr. Elton, Emma

   But a Princess party!!! The event was many weeks in the making. The Wife and I planned, researched, baked, frosted, and decorated ourselves silly! It was clear about halfway into the whole thing that this party MIGHT just be more for us than for our 'Lil Miss. It came, it happened, it went. Here was the schedule:

11-11:15am - Welcome and making of bead necklaces
11:15-12:15 - Visit with a princess (face painting, games, songs, etc)
12:15-12:30pm - Cupcakes
12:30-1pm - Open presents and candy bar wrap up

   We started this whole mad process with a simple set of lists on a piece of paper. We listed the all the treats we could think of, then all the decorations we wanted to try put out. We began to research locations, then things we could bring into our home. Over the course of a few weeks we had priced and began acquiring items from Target, Wal-Mart, Party City, Sam's Club, The $.99 Store, and a few others. Our biggest influences came from our YEARS of enjoying Disneyland, Disney movies, stores, etc. Ideas I've had for a long time finally got to be used.  We also spent a fair amount of time on Pinterest, looking for ideas around the keywords "princess, party, pink, treats" and so on.

   We both thought it would be like herding cats, but we kept things moving and it turned out to be a REALLY good time. The girls were sad to see the princess leave, but they focused on whatever was next. By keeping them onto the next thing and staying involved, all 14 girls were very well behaved and super cute. In the end, I'd say that throwing a princess party was a LOT of hard work, but VERY well worth the effort.

All my best in your party planning endeavors. 

J.

P.S. Could NEVER have been done without The Wife. Get her take at her blog, The Cheeky Cafe.
P.P.S. The above and more pics set to "The Magic Flute"

Preparing For A Birthday Party

"There ain't no party, like your grandma's tea party." - Flight of the Conchords

   Our 'Lil Miss had a birthday in December. We tried to have a birthday part at that time a few years ago, and it was a miserable disgrace of a thing. No one is available for something like that, as they're busy with work parties, church parties, family gathering, travel, alien abductions, etc. So this year we planned ahead and handed out invites just before the winter break for a January date. "Omigosh!", you might say. Before naysayers pipe up, we've had 13 out o 15 RSVP to attend. 

   There will be a full report with pictures and link to our favorite spots for part gear. This is more to indicate that The Wife and I are in heaven. Fun and creative stuff like this is our drug. The above pic is just one of the rooms we'll be using for the festivities. Princess canopy with lights, sparkle mesh, etc. While it won't be especially Disney themed, it WILL look like the part threw up on our first floor. 

   All this because we want our 'Lil Miss to have a good time, her guests to have a good time, and because I start to get the shakes if I haven't had some sort of creative outlet like this in some time. The things we do for our children, yeah? I'm not sure how I'll handle a superhero, or army part for my 'Lil Man one day. 

J.