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WHERE TO HOST YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY
As a grandparent, I am of the mind-frame that you should spare no expense when it comes to your (grand)child’s birthday party. However, with tough economic times, many families want to make sure they are planning wisely. The first question most hosts contemplate – should I host the party at home or at a unique location?
The birthday party business has really grown. There are a number of creative venues to choose from for a party. Choices range from indoor inflatable arenas, beauty salons, laser tag facilities, roller or ice skating rinks, bumper cars and video game wonderlands – one of which is complete with pizza and a giant mouse.
Many children want to experience one or all of these options. However, when you book a birthday party facility, keep one thing in mind: Most of the kids will not be together. Unless you book a private facility, the kids are often scattered, gathering only for cake.
As a rule of thumb, I believe that one or two of these parties are plenty in the life of a child. The truly memorable parties are those that you host at home. The parties are more intimate and customizable. You have more control over the flow of the party, and your child’s level of happiness.
Next time you decide to host a party at a facility, check out www.ibirthdayparty.com. When you are ready to host a party at home or a nearby park, browse through Posh Party Box parties that range from the award winning little girls’ tea party, La Tea Da, to our educational Going Green party box. We will work with customers to customize each party, and make it the posh party your child has always dreamed about!
EDU-PARTIES EXTRAORDINAIRE!
Now that you have decided to host a birthday party at home, there are a myriad of options. A recent trend –– is to host an edu-party. Posh Party Box offers many educational parties designed to entertain and inform, ranging from Dinosaur Dig and Young Naturalist to the Mad Scientist.
Much like the Overland Park Arboretum in Kansas City, Missouri, which arranges Posh Party Box parties for its guests, science museums, botanical gardens and parents alike are starting to focus on birthday parties of substance. Whether the edu-party offers new skills, fun information or inspiring ideas, they can be a catalyst to fun and learning.
The Dinosaur Dig party transforms each child into a junior paleontologist. The kids learn to excavate dinosaur bones from a clay rock and assemble the skeleton for display. For a special extra, find a local company that offers dinosaur presentations using museum-quality dinosaur, fossil and mineral specimens.
 The All about Bugs party, where the kids learn how to collect, observe, and identify different insects and plants in nature will inspire and love for nature and its many wonders. To make the party even more unique, book an expert in reptiles, amphibians and arthropods to make a special presentation at your party.
 With saving our planet a permanently “hot” topic, the Going Green party is the perfect way to help kids embrace the idea! The edu-party focuses on climate change, energy conservation and recycling. The kids will love the party favors and activities -- from the going green cap to the seed paper invitations that can be planted into the ground to grow wildflowers!
Interested in participating in a Posh Party Box party at a science center, museum or arboretum in your area? Be sure to mention our name! We hope to be at a location near you soon. For our Kansas City fans, book your next birthday party at
Overland Park Arboretum!
SUMMER PARTY GADGETS
Movie Projector: Take your films alfresco with this Sharper Image projector. With the built-in volume control, pivoting stand, and illuminated control panel, you won't have to be an IT Club alumna to operate it. ($130; www.sharperimage.com)
USA Illuminated Flag ($79.95; www.brookstone.com)
The United States Flag Code tells us that you can display the flag during the hours of darkness, as long as it is properly illuminated. Now you can display your flag proudly 24 hours a day with a wireless, flexible gooseneck solar light. It mounts easily on any flagpole up to 3" diameter. Water-resistant aluminum and stainless-steel light also comes with hardware that allows you to attach it to a porch, deck, wall or front door.
Color Changing Sprinklers ($30.95; www.amazon.com)
Sprinklers are always great fun, sure they have their practical uses, but that’s not where their usefulness ends. On a treacherously hot day you can always go out with the kids and play in the sprinkler, should you not be blessed with a nearby pool. Of course these sprinklers add a little more fun to the mix, these have bright lights that will change colors throughout the night.
Summer Recipes
 Flag Cake
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup of oil
1 cup of water
3 eggs
Frosting:
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 ½ tbs water
1 tsp light corn syrup
1 tbs soft butter
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 pint of fresh strawberries
½ cup fresh blue berries
Mix cake mix with water, oil and eggs according to package directions. Pour batter into a 9” x 13” baking pan.
Bake in a 350◦ F oven for approximately 30 minutes or until the cake pulls away from the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for five minutes. Remove cake from pan and allow to cool completely.
For frosting: mix powdered sugar, water, corn syrup, vanilla, and butter together until thick and creamy. When cake is cool, frost the entire cake with the frosting.
Slice strawberries in half length wise and allow them to drain on a paper towel while you arrange the blueberries. Lay the fruit out on the cake into a flag pattern as shown.
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 Fun Salsa in Artichoke
1 Pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup salsa
1 tbs. fresh cilantro, chopped
Mix cream cheese, salsa and cilantro with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.
Serve in hollowed out artichoke and garnish with fresh vegetables and/or tortilla chips.
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Barbeque Chicken
1 large yellow onion
2tbs butter
2 large garlic cloves
2 tbs. water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup catsup
2 tbs white vinegar
1 tbs prepared Dijon mustard
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1/4 cup orange juice
10 chicken pieces
Peel and dice the onion and saute in the butter. mince the garlic cloves and add to the pan. When the onion becomes translucent, add the water and the brown sugar and simmer for about a minute.
Add the catsup, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and orange rind, stirring all the while with a wooden spoon. Slowly pour the orange juice into the mixture and stir until blended. Continue to simmer over very low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Brush the sauce over the chicken pieces several times while grilling. This recipe yields 2 cups of sauce, enough to coat 4 chicken breasts and 6 other pieces.
Click here to see more Recipes
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