Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet

As a new Cubmaster, I got to start off with a bang - a Blue and Gold Banquet - no simple pack meeting to break me in. Nope, this was a big party.  I chose to go with the Olympic theme since the winter Olympics kick off tomorrow. It was a lot of fun to put it all together and a lot of hard work (let’s be honest). I had so many people that helped me with prep, set-up, taking care of the food during it all, games and take-down. Whew - I really couldn’t have done it by myself.

Let’s take a tour of the night:

Flag Ceremony

After starting with a prayer all the boys went out into the hall to collect their international flags they made last week at den meeting. They paraded around the room, led by the full-sized American flag and followed by the Olympic Torch. (There was suppose to be olympic music playing at this point but my cell phone was too low on battery so it didn’t work - goof #1). We had the Pledge of Allegiance and the Scout Pledge. The boys’ flags were then displayed on the stage.

Dinner

My plans for dinner evolved quite often - in the end we had sloppy joes, veggies, fruit salad, chips and cupcakes. It was simple and worked great. A few cupcakes formed the Olympic rings and the others had flag picks in them. I was surprised the kids loved picking out a cupcake with a certain flag.

Decorations

I wanted it to look festive but I didn’t want to break the bank with decorations. I probably spent about $15, so I think that’s pretty good. We had cute centerpieces - tissue paper, a square box, more tissue paper, a can covered with paper and the Olympic rings filled with these fun plastic flags - not to mention the large confetti my kind sister cut out for me.

The Olympic icons were hung around the gym. These were also part of a scavenger hunt game at the beginning (free download at the end). There were a few flag banners on the walls and some colored paper garland on the stage with the flags the scouts made - that was about it.

Games

I was so excited for the fun of the night - the games. I handed that part over to my den leaders and the kids had a blast.  They had a snowball fight. They threw paper balls for 5 minutes trying to get more snowballs on the other teams side of the line. Super fun!

We had Bobsledding on skateboards.

The Olympic ring toss.

And curling, where the boys were pushed and tried to land in the target.

A fun photo op was available with a torch and medal. Loved it!

Finally, when the kids had played every Olympic game they came to get their Olympic medal - chocolate coins. It turned out to be a fun night (and now I’m sitting here with my feet up!)

Invites

SORRY THE LINKS ARE NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME!

Download a blank Scout Olympic invite HERE.

Download a blank Olympic invite HERE.

Download Icon game HERE (prints two to a page).

Happy Scouting! 

Or you can make this into a generic Olympic Party - no scouts needed.

Let the Games Begin!

Father’s Day Mouse pad Freebie

 

I decided to make a unique and personalized gift this year for the men in my life - simple but cute. First for my hubby!

2nd for my dad - he has been teaching for 40 years and may be entering his final year. So this one is for his class computer.

And if you’d like to make your own - without actually designing, here’s a freebie. Click to download.

Summer Swimming Freebie QP

This was such a fun layout to put together. I love summer swimming and seeing all those wet faces. Enjoy the freebie!  Click image below to download

Summertime Fun Kit - Jady Day Studio

Family Fun & Freebie QP

This is one of my favorite layouts from my 2012 book. With clusters of pictures you can do more than one event or kiddo. Mild fall colors in this kit that can easily be used for any season. Enjoy this freebie QP below.

In My Happy Field kit - Jady Day Studio

Winter Layout & Freebie QP

It's been a while since I've posting on here - but that's not to say I haven't been scrapping.  Here's a layout and free QP … perfect ending to winter.

Click image to download.

Snow Day Kit - A-manda Creation

Costume Party

Cupcake Party - I was only the helper

Hot Air Balloon Party

Butterfly Party

Fall Carnival Party

 

All Girl Party

Camping Party

The invites and thank yous can be found HERE.

Kit Kitridge Party

Fire Station Party

Care Bear Party

Slumberless Party

Cars Party

This party does have a previous post with free downloads - check it out HERE.

Planning Parties without breaking the bank!

I’ve been helping my sister with a presentation on Celebrating and Party Planning.  I love to plan birthday parties and do my best to make them fun and inexpensive.  There are some amazing ideas out there with decorations and party favors worth drooling over - and not to discredit those amazing women for their creativity and production -- I try to simplify and please the kids (who are pretty easy to please).  In a couple posts I will be sharing the dozen or so parties I’ve planned in hopes that you will be able to do something fun for your little kiddos without breaking the bank.   First I’m going to attach my sister’s handout for Party Planning - with tips and advice.  I will follow up with a few party ideas every day for the next week.

You can download that HERE!

San Diego 2012 - Beach

 

It’s long overdue - but I have actually be scrapbooking. Here’s my newest book - our summer vacation in San Deigo. I usually like to do QPs with all my layouts - but times are busy and it just hasn’t happened.  Maybe soon!

San Diego 2012 - Sea World