The last couple weeks of summer vacation are upon us. On the one hand, most kids are excited and dreading it at the same time. Sure, a break is nice, but they always miss school days towards the end of their vacation. They need that daily interaction with peers their own age and we, of course, need that 8 hour break from them as well.

It is during these last weeks that we scramble to go shopping for new school uniforms and supplies, and to do a final deep cleaning of the house and the childrens’ bedrooms. It’s stressful and a good night’s rest is imperative in order to keep our sanity. The other day we decided to try creating a feast with a disposable theme in order to avoid the after dinner chore aggravation and hassle. So, all foods must be served on or in disposable paper products. The menu selections must obviously be friendly to the theme so we chose a few of the following examples that we thought might brighten up a busy mother’s schedule:

1. Fish & Chips, mate! – use paper lunch bags (fold them and snip off ends)
2. Noodles, Rice – takeout boxes and disposable chop sticks (ask for some at a Chinese restaurant or order online)
3. Ice Cream Sandwiches, Cake – use parchment paper, wax sandwich bags or foil

The possibilities are endless. The main idea is to dine and dispose. Doesn’t it sound magical?

This summer has been abnormally cool. It’s the middle of August and we feel like we were cheated out of a season this year. Today was one of the few warm days we’ve gotten in the past few months and we had a spontaneous cookout to show Mother Earth how much we appreciate it.

While the kids were splashing around in the pool, the rest of us covered the table with a disposable red gingham table cover, and laid out the side dishes and tableware. We invited my siblings over and surprisingly, everyone was able to make it so it was an unexpected pleasant gathering. We were all able to catch up, eat and catch some sun rays.

Isn’t it funny how things don’t turn out as well when you absolutely try to plan every detail? We’ve been trying to plan a family camping trip for ages and of course everyone’s schedules conflict so it’s difficult. I always perceive summer as the time of the year when everyone can make more time to lounge around and bond. Somehow this year seems different. So, thank goodness for warm days and grills that bring families and loved ones together.

My church hosted a wine tasting charity event a few nights ago. The decor was flawless — big, white tent, gorgeous serving trays sporting yummy cheese, crackers and appetizers, and an amazing layout of clear plastic wine glasses to lure the guests over.

The premium clear plastic barware was a hit. The plastic glasses are made here in the USA and they’re so great, they look like they are made out of real glass. The planning committee did not have to worry about safety in regards to broken glass and the fact that they are so durable, makes future events more cost-effective. Plastic Wine Holder Plates with built-in stemware holders were made available around the appetizer table. These convenient trays were perfect for our guests because it allowed them to balance their wine glasses while they made their way around the party.

All wine was donated by various church members and a few local wineries. The charity event was a major success and all guests expressed an interest in reliving the experience. Leave it to those devout members of the congregation to appreciate a nice glass of wine.

My family lives across the street from a tranquil, dog-walking neighborhood park, so we don’t have any sort of neighbors living across the street. Naturally, any time anything happens in our “one-sided” neighborhood, its gets completely blown out of proportion. Last year, our next door neighbor passed away (she was older) and her children put her home up for sale. A few weeks ago, a young family moved in and everyone of course was breaking their necks to catch a glance of the “newbies.”

We thought it might be appropriate to offer them basic disposables, such as paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils and paper coasters, just while they finished settling in. Especially because those first few days are the worst; you’re having dinner in the restroom and your kitchen doesn’t look like a kitchen. It’s terrible. I remember moving into our home about a decade ago and I cringe at the thought of moving again. The moving process can be good and bad–good because it is the ultimate cleaning process and the perfect time to get ride of junk, bad because there can be tons of that junk lying around and sorting it can get tedious.

Our neighborhood is very quiet and you don’t see too many people out. This may be the reason we don’t seem to have any sort of neighborhood watch committee, well not one that I am aware of at least. Taking this into consideration, I don’t want to say I planned a neighborhood warming party for the new neighbors, but I planned a neighborhood warming party. Well, I suggested we plan a potluck cookout so the new neighbors could have a chance to meet and greet with everyone. Being the ‘new kid’ is never fun. Everyone seems to be so in sync around you while you try to tap the friendliest face in the huddle.

The point is, if there’s a new family moving into the neighborhood, open the huddle just a crack so they can feel welcome.

The weekend definitely goes by way too quickly. It almost seems like you have to do absolutely nothing for it to appear like it’s taking place in slow motion. God forbid you have big plans for your free time because then you really feel like you didn’t get a chance to rest.

I strongly believe this is why Margarita Monday was invented. Yes, it is a real celebration and I’m sure it only takes place on Mondays throughout the summer. The purpose of this day is to semi-extend the weekend and alleviate any stress brought upon by strong cases of “the Mondays.” My friends and I joined the celebration at a local restaurant this evening and we had a great time catching up and cracking jokes. It almost felt like Friday all over again.

We adults, for the most part, don’t get 3 full months of vacation and lounge poolside and indulge in whole weekdays dedicated to bonding with our beds. We can, however, create our own summer rituals where we can create memories, share laughs and enjoy a quick getaway…even if it’s a one-night-only deal.

Last week was hectic, to say the least. It was jam packed with end of the year activities, and high school graduations. The feeling is definitely bittersweet. I mean, on the one hand, you’re happy your little ones have grown up and are learning to be independent adults, but on the other hand, you feel like it was only yesterday that you were dropping them off for kindergarten.

Today, the ones getting ready to start junior high have mutated into hormone infested creatures. One minute they’re excited to share the eventful details of their day and the next minute, they’re barking at you to “give them their space.” This behavior generally causes confusion, especially if the only reason you approached them in the first place was to let them know dinner was on the table. Dealing with these teenage creatures can get exhausting, mostly because the majority of us don’t have a psychology background that we can reference. Now that school is out and they’re going to be around more than usual, it’s important to keep calm and pretend we’re not scared for our safety.

In an effort to make their growth development go more smoothly, I suggest planning an end of the year luau/bonfire party. Start by asking them to create a list of their closest friends. The sooner the party is executed, the better, as many students have plans to go to college out of state and this is the perfect excuse to say farewell. Create an e-mail with a list of things needed and ask everyone to sign up for different items. Keep the food list simple with things like sandwiches, salads and summer fruit drinks.

If location allows, have a small party reserve the beach or park area early to ensure a good time. Set up games everyone can participate in (that way they grow tired and have no time to morph through various moods/personalities).

Happy Beginning of Summer, everyone!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL.

It’s official. The FIFA World Cup 2010 officially began on Friday and soccer fever will not be over until the last goal has been scored. This tournament is the most widely viewed sporting event…no matter what time zone you’re in.

Host a brunch party for friends and family for whichever (if there’s one in particular) match you are most passionate about. Choose breakfast/lunch foods that are authentic dishes from the country you are rooting for and make it an affair to remember. Spice up your guests’ viewing and dining experience with Soccer themed party tableware.

Next month is the celebration of our country’s independence again. I can already hear the sound of Disneyland’s spectacular fireworks show for the grand occasion.

While many are typically accustomed to going out of town for the weekend, these days many are more inclined to celebrate at home in the backyard. It’s more relaxing and economical to invite a few friends over for some afternoon gossip and barbecue. Set up some tables with disposable plastic table covers so the kids have a chance to unleash their creative side with some fun patriotic projects. I can guarantee some pretty snazzy flags by the end of the day.

Use 4th of July themed plates and napkins to add color and a festive touch to almost any outdoor event. If you and yours can’t go for that annual camping trip this year, let camping come to you. Pitch the tent and have an outdoor slumber party in the backyard. The kids will love it.

If you want to step the ice cream social up a notch, turn it into a full blown pool party! If there are quite a bit of adult guests, make sure to spike their sundaes .

For an added personal touch, send out custom-made invitations.  I suggest using pairs of plastic sunglasses as invitations. Grab a silver or gold metallic pen and inscribe the information on each lens. Wrap the glasses in bubble wrap and send out to all your guests.

Voila. You’ve just invited people to your party and simultaneously handed out favors. You’re welcome.

The weather these days screams for an ice cream party. It’s Memorial weekend and we all know this holiday basically kicks off summer events, so gather the kiddos and start planning an ice cream social. School, for most, is out in about a month so get a few flyers together and invite your little one’s classmates to an end of the year ice cream party.

If you’d like to make the party more festive, use plastic table covers in your child’s school colors. You can set up a sundae bar with every imaginable topping in disposable plastic bowls to make the event more interactive. Set up for backyard games like water balloon fights, relay races, etc. The possibilities are endless.