A Hobbitish Party for Max

Max accomplished a big goal in his reading last year.  He not only read and completed The Hobbit; he LOVED it.  A rare moment in our history of reading and something that needed to be celebrated with a bang.  His 12th birthday, though, months away, presented a perfect time to to have a Hobbit themed party. Plus, it was far enough away that it gave me time plan.

With the help of Lucy, the wide world of the blogs, and imagination we through a most splendid Hobbiton party; with an adventure, ginger ale, some root beer and treasure!

{The Invitation Contract}

"Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you.  Not today. Good Morning! But please come to tea-any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Good bye!"

“All the same, I should like it all plain and clear," said he obstinately, putting on his business manner (usually reserved for people who tried to borrow money off him), and doing his best to appear wise and prudent and professional and live up to Gandalf's recommendation. "Also I should like to know about risks, out-of-pocket expenses, time required and remuneration, and so forth"--by which he meant: "What am I going to get out of it ? and am I going to come back alive?” 

{The Decor}

 

(credit for the banner goes to Jessica and Charlotte click on to either site to get the download, then use it how you like) 

A map of The Shire drawn on a simple plastic table cover. 

A whole $0.99 spent on a cool cover.

"Do we really have to go through [Mirkwood]?" groaned the hobbit. "Yes, you do!" said the wizard, "if you want to get to the other side. You must either go through or give up your quest. There are no safe paths in this part of the world."

Two trees made of craft butcher paper, one in the dining room and the other in the entry way, served as our version of Mirkwood

 {The Feast}

 "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold [as the hobbits do], it would be a merrier world." 

The huge ham, some 20 baked potatoes, mini minced meat pies and green salad weren't around long enough to take a picture.  But, they added to the Hobbit style feast and was enjoyed by everyone; especially the boys LOL!

There was a lot of baking and cooking to get the meals ready for our little party.  The happy faces and satisfied tummies from from the kids and the adults made it worth it.

Most especially the face of Max, our honored burglar, who kept thanking us for such a "cool party!"

{The Cake} 

"And more cakes-and ale-and coffee if you don't mind," 

called the other dwarves

The web is full of examples and how-to-make your very own Hobbit Hole cake.  Here are just a few for your own quick reference

• Nikki's @ TikkiDo.com (You must check out her cool map above the dessert table--fabulous!)
• Melissa @ searchingfordragons.
• Amy @ ManyMasonMoments

{The Adventure}

  "We are plain quiet folk, and I have no use for adventures. 

Nasty, disturbing, and uncomfortable things." 

 The boys were asked to bring their own ponies bikes to the party.  Earlier in the day The Lineman and Lucy took a treasure box filled with jewels and gold (lots of lemon heads, jaw breakers, sour balls, and gold nugget gum drops) to the hills.  The treasure was hidden in Smaug's den, a crevice in the hills; the boys were then sent off on an adventure to retrieve the gold.

Of course, we sent them off with supplies since it was a part of the agreement to joining the party

 :-) 

At the end Smaug was slayed, via a cool looking dragon pinata, everyone scoring a nice batch of  sweets treasure to enjoy.  

"Never laugh at live dragons." 

Happy 12th Birthday Max!

You deserved the time spent on this day!!

Totally!

"I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is, or will be when the time comes. There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself."

{PHFR}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~   Every Thursday, over at Like Mother, Like Daughter! {click HERE for more} {Pretty}

Lucy has a new hat!

I think she looked quite pretty in it, though she was 'bugged' at my constant mention of it.  As her Momma I think I have a free pass to say how pretty I think she is over and over and over.

Last week was our first day back into school.  Little treats inside their "Schultüte" waited for the kids that morning; pretty packed cones with back to school goodies.

{Happy}

Someone also started ballet this week.

She strutted to the car with determination and JOY!!

Then she proudly showed me, before class even, how much she knew.

Ballerina class (as Cecilia calls it) was a hit!

{Funny}

I struggled with whether I should post this picture. 

 It just cracked me up to see her in this position.  

Plus, it was PROOF of WHY The Lineman and I can not have her sleep with us. 

 It's a battle each time!  

Cecilia is warm and cuddly between 7am-8pm, but somewhere in between she is a... 

Oh how can I say it...

a warrior

a wiggly worm

a monster even!

{I say this with pure love for my child, but this is the truth ;+))

So there, this is proof Cecilia.  

You do move around while you sleep.

  {Real} My 42nd birthday was celebrated this week. I am 42! Not shocking, no. Not bad, no. I feel great even; not all that different from 41. The coolest part of it, other than the quiet day of homeschooling, a family lunch outside, the raking of leaves, and the picking up of children's closets... was a new sewing machine to replace my 15 year old broken one. I haven't seen this model and I've only had a Singer before, so we (The Lineman) and I hope this is good buy. We'll see...
Lots of Love!