Weston's Skateboard Birthday Party

 

Welp, our youngest went and did it!  He turned 12! Please excuse me while I just take a moment and cry my eyes out. Okay, maybe I'm kidding.  While I completely miss the little kid phase, this tween and teen phase is really fun!  It really does fly by in a blink! 

This year, Weston has decided that he's really into skateboards and started learning how to skate just after Christmas.  It has been really fun to watch him learn a new skill and in the process hook both Jon and Ethan in the adventure too! 

I'll be honest, planning fun themes for big kids is REALLY, REALLY hard.  So, I jumped on the Skateboard theme.  This year's party was mostly family and friends that are like family and so I didn't plan any activities and prayed the rain would hold off so we could set up yard games.  It ended up being really wet (hello unusual California storms) and so we just had the ping pong table set up in the garage.  The cousins had plenty to do!  

For this party we decided to take advantage of the iconic Vans brand checker print and accent it with some fun colors and tech deck ramps.  I made the artwork using some clip art I found on Etsy (I'll link it at the bottom).  We filled the table with some of Weston's favorite foods, like churros, chips, and cupcakes and also added some fun snacks like goat cheese and a simple, small charcuterie. I don't think anyone left hungry! 

I found some fun streamers from Target that we thumb tacked to the ceiling and added some checkerboard bunting to the hutch behind the table.  It popped and I loved it!

 The tech deck ramps stayed on the table for about 5 minutes before the boys moved them to the floor to play with.  It worked for decor and also for entertainment! They were a big hit!  We also bought tech decks for favors, so all the kids went home with their own fingerboard.  

This party was a blast!  It's so much fun to celebrate this kid!  And yes, I am in shock that he's 12, but behind the shock is just amazement at what this kid brings to our family and to the world.  He is full of joy, loves to help, and you just can't help smile when he's around! 

 

Wanna throw your own party?  Here are some links:

:: skateboard clip art 

:: paper goods

:: Tech Deck boards 

:: ramps

:: Weston's shirt (It was in his Stitch Fix box that came the day before his birthday!   Perfect timing!)

 

I {heart} adventure. . . even if it's local! [part 1]

 I used to want to live in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy the large amounts of rain.  It just sounded perfect.  I’ve been rethinking that dream so much lately because we have just had sooooo much rain here and I am kind of done with it.  Apparently, I need my daily dose of Vitamin D more than I thought I did! 

 So, while we are waiting out flash flood warnings and heavy rainfall (again) and dream of our next great adventure!  In the meantime, let’s talk about feeding that need for adventure when the budget is screaming “STAY HOME!”  Going on trips, whether spontaneous or not, take money.  Some more than others, but food, lodging, and transportation all add up.  And let’s be real. . . Our desire for an adventure doesn’t always line up with what our budget does (insert sad face here).

 But, what if I told you that with a little bit of a budget. . . And I am talking about less than $100 you could have an adventure in your own hometown. . . Or even a nearby town! There are so many things to do around us that often get forgotten and overlooked because we’d rather go someplace else, when in reality you can fill that ache a little bit by spending the day in your own town doing things that you don’t normally do.  Say goodbye Starbucks and Target runs and bring up your favorite map app and get to planning and then get out there!  Find a friend or make it a family affair.  The key is to find something new and have fun!

Here are my tips for finding adventure in your own hometown:

1.        Start your day with coffee.  Find a hole in the wall or local place you’ve always wanted to try, but it’s way out of the way.  Go there.  Buy your favorite drink and sit and savor.  No need to rush. . . It’s vacation. 

2.        Decide what you want to do.  Research art galleries, museums, trails, theaters and make your plan.  We often find ourselves looking for used book stores and record stores. Maybe you want to check out that antique store that you drive by on the way to work.  Add that to your list.  Maybe there’s a local sporting event that you’ve wanted to check out. 

3.        Decide where you want to eat lunch and dinner.  Try new places.  Don’t go to your usual. Check out the yelp reviews because you don’t want to find out everyone gets food poisoning after eating it!  Try to eat at local spots. . . It makes it more fun!  You might find a new favorite spot!  Spring for dessert at the local ice cream shop or try drinks at that local brewery that you’ve always wanted to do. 

4.       Have fun!

 As you make your list and plan your day, you might find that there are way too many things to do in one day.  Now you can plan multiple “trips” with a small budget and if you feel like splurging a little find a cute boutique hotel to stay in to make it feel like you are tourists in your own town!    

I promise it is worth it to take the time go on an adventure in your own city.   

Stay tuned for part two about my hometown.