Lu WOW!

First, a BIG THANKS to everyone who helped at the Luau Party last night! I couldn't have done it without you! (unlike "done it with you"  in the email)  Between my knee and my kids both back from college, it was a crazy week for me, and I was a little taken off guard when i came in to the new kids night room and found most of my decorations that i put up a few days earlier had fallen down (cheap tape). So thanks again, for help with set up and clean up, punch, cupcakes, cookies and those who donated leis. There is a bag of leftover ones i found, so if you need some back, let me know. I still have Tiki masks, grass skirt and paper leis left over if anyone wants to make them next time you're in. Also, I'll have copies of the sand castle recipe as well.

I am taking the schedule on a week by week basis for now, so please check your email or the website for the latest, in case you see something in the Gazette, it may have changed last minute. For now, next week (June 5th) will feature Father's Day stuff, and if still you need it, end of school stuff.

As you can see from the above photo, I have a couple of bulletin boards up so far, one with your kids portraits (if you gave them to me) the other with the latest newspaper articles. I have all the old articles, laminated, that were up front before, so if you want one, come and get it!

Still waiting ...

Went to the docs, now he wants an MRI of the right knee before he schedules the surgery for the left knee, so still no definite dates, but he did say I'll be out 10-14 days, so at least one, probably two Kid's Nights I'll have to cancel. Till then, we'll take it one week at a time! The Lua party is on, so hope to see you there! Thanks to those who are bring punch and cupcakes.

A little good news ...

I did a birthday party this weekend at Papa Gino's and was able to rearrange the new Kid's Night room the way I want and how I think it will work out best for us. I may need to tweak it a bit, but I like it so far. You can see pictures on my birthday party website:
http://birthdaysbymike.blogspot.com/p/new-party-pics.html
It it has room for parents to come and sit and even eat if they want to. There's 2 big tables for crafts, a table for my radio and enough room in the middle for games.
I also had a chance to talk to the manager, and we are good to go to add to the room as we need! (Yeah!)
That being said, I will be putting up the bulletin board and will look for a clock as well so we know what time it is.
ALSO, if you have a working baby monitor you want to get rid of, we thought that would work well for the people behind the counter to call us when orders are ready.
AND, if anyone has or comes across a really, really cheap big rug (or some big blankets) we can throw down in there to sit on for stories and games, please call me or email me,  (508-496-8654)
STILL waiting to hear from anyone who can help on the Luau party (5/29). I have someone doing a punch)
I will update you on the knee surgery as soon as I know this week (I hope).
 Coming up this week, we remember our fallen heroes for Memorial Day and our everyday ones at school!

Need Help and more about the new set-up

Anyone who knows they'll be coming to the Luau/End of School party (5/29) and thinks they can help, please contact me and let me know! I could still use a CD with luau style music, perhaps a snack or drink, or any idea you might have that's easy and cheap for around 25-30 kids!

We're still working on the new set up. One thing I have noted is that I need to set it up so parents with real little ones or who just want to see their kids can come out back and sit at a table. I will be trying new configurations as we go along.

If you were there this past week, don't worry, we will keep it a lot more structured back there. Plus I am out of balloons for the time being! I welcome your comments and suggestions,. Of course safety is my first concern, but second is having FUN! I think we can do a lot with the room, so I hope you'll be patient as we grow into it!

Still looking for more school wallets or sports photos for a  Kid's Night collage, or I can take their portrait at Kid's Night. I hope they will leet me put my bulletin board back up out in the new room! We'll see!

thanks as always!

New location, Luau Party update

Well, this past week was our first with the new store renovations and it was certainly different!. With brand new rugs, tables and more, they didn't want us in the usual spot with paint, glue and more (don't know why), so they finished off the back back room for us to use for Kid's Night. it also doubles as a meeting room for them and we may use it for future parties there as well (mine and Papa Gino's)

So, all that being said, we'll be working out the kinks along the way, trying different arrangements with the tables and chairs and all, but for now, seems like the best thing is for you to eat out in the old(new) dining area and the kids can go back and forth between the 2 as needed. You're welcome to come back to watch or for those real little ones, to help them as needed. there will be some extra tables and chairs for you to sit at too.

As for the Luau party the 29th: I have decorations for it, and they will be making hula skirts out of bags and paper lanterns as well.  I'm trying to find an easy way for them to make Hawaiian Leis, but if you want to but some really cheap ones, Family Dollar has a really big selection of Luau themed stuff right now, including leis, skirts and more. i bought some straws with little umbrella type things already on them for their drinks (instead of regular little umbrellas even though they had those too).

As for help with the party, i'm thinking maybe have some people bring in stuff to make a punch, (including a punch bowl if some one has one) and maybe some kind of island/lua/jungle small snacks. Also if someone has a Luau CD I can borrow and copy that would be good. I will have more details and ideas on it asap, but if you have any or can help, please let me know!

Be Prepared

This week (5/8) is a paint night, so dress accordingly. Not too late to bring in a photo for a special Mother's Day gift or card. If all goes well, We'll be among the first to see the new store, as the store is due to be closed Sunday and Monday for renovations (finally).
Bring in those school dance or sports photos too for the new Kid's Night collage which I hope to work on when I'm out with my knee surgery.
See you at Kid's Night!