This past weekend was the boy's 40th. Things have been a bit crazy for me over the past month or so, but I wanted to make sure that I was able to give him the party that he wanted, he really doesn't ask for much, he is so wonderful to me, so I really wanted to make this special for him. Originally he wanted 40 of us to go to the University of MN first football game in their new stadium. So, I looked into that, no way, tickets had been sold out for a year. So then he said well lets just have a fun tailgate and then watch the game nearby. That was also a no-go due to the fact that they had changed some of the rules and the lots where you were allowed to tailgate, you had to have a season pass. I was also worried about the weather with this option. SO, I talked to him about options, and due in part to a lot of other stuff going on, we agreed on a party at my house, he created the guest list, the menu and the theme. We went with monkeys. He picked out the paper for the invites, I made them, and got them sent out.
He wanted chili and buffalo wings. So last week I spent cooking up a huge pot of white chicken chili as well as a regular red chili. I also made jalapeno, cheese cornbread muffins (one batch with bacon, one batch without) and a sun-dried tomato tortellini pasta salad (had to keep my sister happy with a vegetarian option). We spent Saturday morning running around for some last minute items. Flowers from the farmers market, picked up cupcakes that my cousins made and of course the beer.
Then it was time to set up and let the festivities begin.
I went with a brown, yellow and turquoise theme, and thought that the colors worked pretty well together.
He got some really nice and really funny gifts from our friends and family (this was a "special" pair of underwear which I am sure will be passed along now).
Kids were even invited to this party, and I think they really enjoyed being a part of the festivities as well! My niece Grace, who just adores him, even wore everything monkey she could find! Each of the kids picked out 40 pieces of candy for him.
Here are the cupcakes that my cousins made. One sister made the cupcake and frosting, the other made the chocolate monkeys for the top, they were quite the hit!
The party went well into the night, with a couple of the boys Navy friends hanging out later, all in all a good time, but I would be lying if I didn't say I was glad that is over and out of the way! Happy birthday though to a wonderful, charming, supportive and loveable boy!
Here is the vent, and while this did not come as a huge surprise to me, as always, I am disappointed in them, but none of the boys siblings made an effort to attend. My whole family was there and of course his mom and dad. Almost all of our friends were there or at least RSVP'd to let me know that they could not be there, but the boys siblings, not so much. I told him that this will be the last time I extend an invitation to them. I would rather deal with the ramifications of not inviting them than be disappointed in their lack of graciousness. The bad part about all of this is, the boys parents will be celebrating their 50th anniversary a year from this November. We have been talking about it for a while and we know that we need to plan something big, they both come from large families and they are both pretty social. The bad part is we know that we will probably not get much support from his siblings and whatever we do, or suggest, they probably will not like. But, we are used to entertaining and hosting events, so I am sure we will do something wonderful and pull something together that they will enjoy. Seriously, sometimes I hate family dynamics. Sorry for venting, I am just overwhelmed lately and feeling rather uninspired. I have a few days off from work here, so I am sure I will be back to my regular, or at least as close as I can get, self!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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2 comments:
Jilly girl! Thanks SO much for the birthday wishes. You really are SO sweet!
What a party! Again, you are SO sweet. Everything looks so festive and the menu sounds so yummy. I grew up loving chili with jalapeno corn bread. You just brought back some good memories! :)
Family... that's one thing I think we all deal with in one way or another and it's never easy. I wish you luck with the planning of the party. Everyone is so lucky to have you. Even though they might not show it... it sucks, I know.
Oh, how rude (as Stephanie Tanner would say)!!! Happy (Belated) Birthday to the Boy!!! :)
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