Planning the Perfect Playdate Party

I love to host parties.  Something about opening your home to friends and family brings me lots of joy.  I had taken a break from hosting parties because there is so much that goes into throwing a party.  Preparing for the party can be so overwhelming.  Trust me, I have been in tears the night before a party.  Hosting and greeting everyone, now that is the fun stuff.  Through trial and error I have learned how to do things better and more efficient, it's kinda my cheat sheet to planning a party.

Disclosure - I was selected to host a #NowMoreThanEver Disney Playdate Party.  Thanks to the sponsors of our #NowMoreThanEver party kit which included Disney, Jakks Pacific, Michael Angelo's, Popped Passion Popcorn, and Pillow Pets.  All opinions stated are own based on my personal experience.

Planning the perfect playdate party can be as easy as 1, 2, 3....

1)  Theme - A theme can drive the party.  So picking the right one could be key to your success.  Go with a theme that makes sense to you.  If you are throwing a party for a family member, pick something is true to them, something that makes them happy, and brings them joy.  Themed parties are so much more fun.  The theme will bring the decorations together. 

Personal Tips-Once you pick a theme, look around your house and see if you have any items that will go great with your theme.  We had plenty of Mickey Mouse items that we used as decor. 

You can also DIY items for your party, like creating a curtain with streamers.  This can transform a room and add a pop of color.  It can also be used as a good place for pictures.  Everyone loves balloons.  Take them to the next level by creating a balloon garland.  At the end of the party, you can hand out all the balloons to each of the kids.  What kid does not love balloons?

2)  Food - I love to feed my guests.  Any party I host, is a buffet of goodness.  If you are not hosting a charity gala or sit-down, bring out the good China dinner, then simple foods are my go-to.  Like I said, I have learned that less is more.  This way you spend more time with the guests and less time in the kitchen.  The menu should not stress you out or break your bank. 

Food that is convenient and affordable is always on my first choice.  Michael Angelo's makes it so easy with their frozen meals and party trays.  Cook in the oven or microwave.  Ready to serve. 

Personal Tips - Fruit trays are great for both adults and kids.  Sometimes kids do not like the food served at parties but they will munch on the fruit.  Save some money by creating your own fruit tray with some of your favorites, and don't forget to add some cheese squares.  Save time, take the stress out, and grab one from the store that is ready to serve.   

Another favorite is popcorn.  This can be fun.  Make bracelets or necklaces with popcorn.  All you need is a needle, string, and popcorn. 

Here is an easy to make Pixie Dust Popcorn:

Ingredients

• Microwave Popcorn
• Vanilla Candy Melts
• Sprinkles

Directions

1.  Pop the popcorn according to instructions on package.

2.  Microwave candy melts in microwave-safe bowl, pausing every 20-30 secs to stir.  Repeat until melted.

3.  Drizzle the melted vanilla over popcorn and stir in sprinkles.

4.  Place in the fridge for 5-10 mins to allow the candy to harden prior to serving.

If you don't have time, I know that you will be a winner with a Popped Passion Popcorn Cake.  You can order a customize popcorn cake and have it shipped directly to your door ready to enjoy!

3)  Entertainment - You do not have to have a strict itinerary to have fun.  Games can keep a party going, make your guests have so much fun, and it keeps everyone entertained.  Find games that are appropriate for your guests.  You can make small game areas so that everyone can rotate and enjoy.

Personal tips - Plan ahead and try out the games yourself.  Troubleshoot things before the party.  If you have crafts that need extra supplies, you can prepare small kits for each guess with all the pieces already included.  These can also be taken home, if guests are too busy having fun at the party.    

Assign helpers to game zones.  My daughter tried out all the games and was a handy helper to all the smaller kiddos.  You can shoot the parents emails with instructions for the games ahead of time.  This way they can participate along with their kids.   

Communicate with parents to see what are some of their kiddos favorite games to play.  I have hosted game nights before and we ask each person to bring a new game for us to play.  This keep guests from getting bored and they get to share one of their family favorites.

Play it by ear, let loose, and enjoy your party.  Being a host should not be scary.  The next time a mommy asks for you to host the next play date, you will be ready. 

Do you have any tips that you have learned?

Candytopia Houston

Somebody's childhood dream has come true.  Remember that song, if all of the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops....oh what a joy would that be?  Can you imagine candy everywhere?  Well Houston, no more imagining because Candytopia has dropped into our city. 

Thanks to the creator of Candytopia for making my little girl dreams come to life in this new experience.  My family received a special invitation to get a sneak peek at what is in store for Houstonians.  We were in for a really big treat too. 

From the creative mind of the Candy Queen herself, Jackie Sorkin brings our greatest wish to life.  Jackie and her team have created a Candyland in Houston that you will not want to miss.  Candy confections that are larger than life and sweet art that looks to die for.  Your senses will be on an overload.  From the minute you walk in, you will be immersed into a golden ticket kinda world.

Each room is unique.  There is a different experience to be had.  No matter your age, you will want to see, feel, smell, and of course, taste the samples provided.  The space is kid-friendly in every way.

A little someone did not want to leave.  Her favorite room had to be the underwater, under the sea room.  Make sure you look up, around, and enjoy the space.  Picture-perfect, instagramable pics, every time.  No filter.  And the staff is friendly and ready to capture those moments for you.

TICKET PRICES:
Adults: $28
Kids (4-12): $20
Children 3 and under: Free

Candytopia opens today at The MARQ*E entertainment center (7620 Katy Fwy, Suite 360 Houston, TX 77024).  For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit candytopia.com.

Don't forget to download the Candytopia app before getting there.  You will be able to use the QR code to see special affects and photo booth pictures will be sent straight to your email.  

How sweet is that!!

***CLOSED***Giveaway - Captain Marvel

I have some great news for all of my Marvel fans.  Who are my Marvel fans?  Do I have any here?

MARVEL STUDIOS’

“CAPTAIN MARVEL”

LAUNCHED IN DIGITAL MAY 28 AND LANDS IN BLU-RAY™ COLLECTIONS JUNE 11

Have you seen this movie?  Have you been waiting to add it to you collection?  Real fans have collections, I get it.

Thanks to Disney Home Entertainment one lucky reader will win a digital copy of CAPTAIN MARVEL.

Extensive extras, deleted scenes, gag reel, commentary and much more!

BONUS MATERIAL (may vary by retailer):

Blu-ray & Digital:

· Alternate Movie Versions

- Movie with Intro – An introduction by directors/screenwriters Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.

- Movie with Commentary – Commentary by directors/screenwriters Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.

· Featurettes:

- Becoming a Super Hero – Follow Brie Larson's journey as she joins the MCU, and see what it takes to be a Marvel Super Hero in every sense of the word.

- Big Hero Moment – Explore how impactful Captain Marvel's entrance into the MCU is, and how she inspires audiences around the world.

- The Origin of Nick Fury – Witness some of the MCU’s most significant events through Nick Fury's eyes, and see how his influence helped shape the MCU.

- The Dream Team – Discover why Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck are the perfect pair to direct Marvel Studios’ most powerful hero.

- The Skrulls and the Kree – Take a deeper look into the Skrulls and the Kree, their ongoing conflict, and the importance of shifting perspectives in the film.

- Hiss-sterical Cat-titude – The cast and crew dish on working with Goose and the raw talent it takes to portray such a complex character on-screen.

· Deleted Scenes

- “Who Do You Admire Above All Others?” - Kree Commander Yon-Rogg must answer to the Supreme Intelligence, who questions his leadership ability.

- Starforce Recruits - Yon-Rogg lectures a roomful of students on the Kree's mission to defend all nations from the scourge of the Skrulls.

- Heading to Torfa - Vers (Danvers) and her fellow Starforce members banter as they prepare for their rescue mission to Torfa.

- “What, No Smile?” - In this alternate version of a scene from the movie, Vers is consulting a map when she receives a dubious offer of assistance.

- Black Box - Keller attempts to track Vers and Fury after their escape in a quadjet from the Joint USAFA Facility.

- Rookie Mistake - Novice S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson helps Director Keller out of an embarrassing situation.

· Gag Reel – The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as the cast battles props, flubs and Flerkens in these outtakes from the set.

Digital Exclusives:

· Journey into Visual Effects with Victoria Alonso – Experience how filmmakers' visions of the MCU come to life on-screen through the skill of the Visual Effects team.

· What Makes a Memory: Inside the “Mind Frack” – What does it take to craft an action-packed sequence for a Marvel Studios film? Nothing short of an epic team effort!

· Concept Art – Explore artwork from “Captain Marvel” and trace the visual development of characters.

· On-Set Images – Uncover a trove of behind-the-scenes and production photography.

Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is US only.  1 winner will be randomly selected.  The sponsor will take care of fulfillment to the winner.  The winner will need to claim prize immediately.

Wellness Wake Up Call

Ever suffer from a really bad headache that does not go away for days.  Now imagine, your face swelling, eyes twitching, and much more symptoms for over a month.  Yeah, that was me.   It hit out of nowhere and nothing helped.  I went to urgent care and then followed up with my doctor.  My doctor then ordered a slew of tests and specialists visits to try and find what was wrong with me. 

Things are never what they seem.  Little did I know that I was functioning but not really functioning.  You know that saying, listen to the body.  Well, I should have paid a little more attention.  My body was trying to tell me that something was wrong.  I did not listen.  I have been living a couple of stressful months.  And the more I suppressed it, the more I strained my body.  And this was the result.  After seeing the ophthalmologists, allergist, neurologist, therapist, and dentist; we finally have an answer.  STRESS

To be honest, nobody knows what is going on in my head.  Behind my smile, my mind is working a million miles.  Women carry a lot on their shoulders.  We worry for our children.  We pray for our loved ones.  We are strong for our partners.  We are there for our parents.  We do it all at work and at home.   I fall in this description and then some. 

I give until there is no more to give.  Nothing left for me.  But who carries me, who will tag in when i'm too tired to give, and too worn out to try? 

I continue to fail at taking care of me because I leave me for last.  I do not learn my lesson of putting me first.  How selfish of me to even think to do that! 

The FOMO is real.  The fear of dropping the ball on all who need me and all who depend on me.  But I am not realizing that is will be missing out if I don't take care of myself.

How many wake up calls does it take us to realize that we are needed?  To be present for the moments in life that matter, not for those that won't matter. 

So take a half day, take a full day, heck the week... enjoy the weekend, make memories, and laugh a lot.  Laugh til it makes you cry.  Cry til it makes you smile.  Let it all out, whatever and however it needs to come out.  And love and be loved.

P.S.  My stress caused me to grind my teeth while I slept which caused TMJ.  My jaw bone was jammed into my check bone causing all of my symptoms.  While trying to find a cure, I meditated, I relaxed, and I unwinded.  Taking it a MOM-ent for me.

***CLOSED***Giveaway-The Lego Movie-The Second Part

Everything is awesome....because Batman, Lucy and Emmett are back!  And we are so excited that we are hosting a giveaway thanks to our sponsor.

Thanks to Warner Bros. for sending a review copy.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Synopsis-It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are now facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. The battle to defeat the invaders and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a galaxy filled with fantastic planets, strange characters and catchy new songs. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.
Rules are simple:

1)  Leave  comment on this post telling me who is your favorite character and why? (1 entry)
2)  Share this giveaway on any platform.  Make sure to tag, independentmami.  Come back and leave an entry with your link to your post. (1 entry)
3)  Leave a new comment on any 2019 post. (1 entry)

Good luck.  This giveaway ends on May 9, 2019.  One winner will be selected.  Fulfillment will be done by sponsor.  US only.  The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize.