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Monday




Take a look at what I gathered up for the college kids--STICKS!  Yes--STICK with me here, it's not that far 'out on a limb', now is it?It's time for those college students to start getting ready for finals.  AH (Awesome Husband) was back on campus for some meetings and made a few deliveries to some of our favorite students. 




Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com

Yes, I know it's a little crazy, but there's so many fun products in a stick form, and cute 'stick' sayings...that I couldn't help myself.
'Way to STICK with this!'
'You've got that STICK-to-itiveness!'
'No matter what, STICK with it!'
'STICK with it 'til the end!'
'STICK it out!'



*This post contains affiliate links.
Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com


You can easily make your own 'STICKy' care package.
Just print out these sticks, (click here) on kraft paper or card stock.
Cut around each stick.

Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com

Gather up items that are stick shapes.
I chose pretzel sticks, turkey snack sticks, Pocky sticks, gum sticks and Chap Stick.
Other items you could add: fried potato sticks, cheese sticks, bread sticks, chopsticks, cookie sticks, chocolate sticks, licorice sticks, candy sticks, etc. etc.

Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com
Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com
Tape a paper stick onto each item.

Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com

Use a box, bag or basket depending on if you're mailing your package or hand delivering.

Rolled kraft paper and natural wood fibers keep the 'woodsy' theme going.  Place in bottom of container.


Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com

Find a few 'real' sticks or branches to add in. 
Place the largest items in first.

Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com

Add in all the other items and send it off with a note of encouragement.  Every college kid needs some encouragement!
Click here to print your own.


Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com


Here's some more college care package ideas for you:

Stick With It!                                 College Blues
Stick with it!  College finals care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com           
Blue themed care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com

Orange Survival Study Sack        Brighten Up Your Semester!
Orange foods and treats for gift package.          
Yellow themed gift ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com


SMART Gift Bag                      Caramel Apple Dippin' Kit
Creative college care package ideas @michellepaigeblogs.com         Package up apples, caramel and toppings to give as gifts.


SNAP To It!                                          Bear Themed Care Package
College Care Package printables @michellepaigeblogs.com      College care package with a bear theme and printable tags @michellepaigeblogs.com


Rockin' Care Package






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Friday


We are blessed to live in a great neighborhood, on a lovely street, right across from some neighbors that we absolutely adore. Warm banana bread arrives often--yes, I know we're spoiled! Lots of cul-de-sac basketball games and football catching happen between our homes. We share similar birthdays and the same faith. We've shared meals in each others' homes and lots of babysitting. It's pretty amazing. (I should probably stop talking about how great our neighbors are...I mean I don't want to make anyone to feel bad that they don't have neighbors like us.)  Anyways.

Our neighbor is a pilot for a commercial airline. He's been working for years to become a captain, and the hard work has finally paid off. To celebrate, AH wanted to give him a little gift.


Easy to give Captain gifts from the grocery store @michellepaigeblogs.com

We caught him in his garage the other day and delivered a few treats. Now I know it's not warm banana bread, but it's the thought that counts, right?

Cap'n Crunch cereal works for a captain, doesn't it?

Easy to give Captain gifts from the grocery store @michellepaigeblogs.com

And so does Chips Ahoy!  Yes, I realize he's not a boat captain, but nonetheless!

Easy to give Captain gifts from the grocery store @michellepaigeblogs.com


And what about some root beer, since we had been 'rootin' for him to pass his exams?!

Easy to give Captain gifts from the grocery store @michellepaigeblogs.com

3 simple store-bought items with some cute cards and our neighbor was thrilled!  

Easy to give Captain gifts from the grocery store @michellepaigeblogs.com


It the little things, isn't it?
Are you c
elebrating a new captain?
 Click here to print your own captain cards.


Easy to give Captain gifts from the grocery store @michellepaigeblogs.com


 





Here's some more interesting grocery store gifts:

When the Trial is Over!


Cerealously 70?  7 Cereals for your 70th!



Appreciation Gift--Role in My Life


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Thursday



16th Driving Party for a Teenage Boy @michellepaigeblogs.com

Yikes! My son just turned 16 and passed his driving test!  Seriously!?!  How did that happen so fast?  Wasn't it just yesterday he was learning how to tie his shoes? I don't know how parents do this...my baby boy is on the roads. Be careful, kid!  Deep breaths...

Driving signs at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.com
*This post contains affiliate links to help you locate products.

To celebrate this exciting birthday and rite of passage, we had a driving themed celebration for our son. Come take a look at how we partied (new driver-style) with some 16 year old boys.

These 'real' street signs were borrowed from a friend who works in construction, but you could always purchase these online. After the party, they could be hung on a bedroom wall.



Let's start with refreshments.
Of course teen boys are not accustomed to having all their drinks and foods lined up and labeled, so naturally they were quite impressed with some simple 'creative' signs. 
Case in point... 

Soda pop at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.com

Coke= Motor Oil
Fanta= Transmission Fluid
Sprite= Coolant
I even impressed AH (Awesome Husband) with my car care knowledge.  However, don't ask me where you actually put these liquids in a car.


Soda pop at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.com

My Lightbox sign (in above picture) is used for every single party at our house, no joke!  In my opinion, everyone needs a Lightbox sign. They add so much!
Every party also needs these amazing flat white platters.   I find that I'm always reaching for these platters to display foods and drinks. I love that they're bright white.



Clever snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.com

Let's check out some more creative food labeling.  In my opinion, food/drink labeling 'steps up' any party.
I assembled a snack table to go with the pizza and mac-n-cheese my son requested for his friends. The fun, black road border is from here



Clever snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.com

I found these mini driving signs here.  I taped them onto chalkboard sign stands.  I have a few different types of chalkboard signs. Some have a plastic base, others have a wood base.  I like them both and use them all the time.



Clever snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.com

When was the last time you had Cheese Puffs, specifically this Cheetos brand?  AH and I made the mistake of sampling one of these...which turned into many handfuls.  I thought they sort of looked like spark plugs...I should have bought the spicy kind for more 'spark/heat'.




Clever and fun snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.com
Every beginner driver knows about jumper cables...and every party needs licorice, right?

Clever and fun snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.
Naturally, mini chocolate donuts were labeled spare tires.
I don't think the 16 year olds caught onto the double-meaning?

Clever and fun snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.
Red, yellow and green fruit on a skewer, made a great stoplight and a tasty treat. 

Clever and fun snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.Clever and fun snacks at a 16th Driving Party @michellepaigeblogs.

Long peeled carrots with a side of Ranch dip, were the Dip Sticks.

I thought I was being so clever to add in vegetables to the snacks, but I don't think I saw one boy eating them?!  A few of them asked what dip sticks have to do with a car...an oil change conversation took place.  (Who knew food signs could be educational, too?)


And check out this cake!


Porsche Car Cake at a 16th Birthday Party @michellepaigeblogs.com
It's a triple-layer yellow cake with chocolate Oreo filling and frosting.  (Requested by my son.)


Porsche Car Cake at a 16th Birthday Party @michellepaigeblogs.com


AH's Porsche model car worked perfectly on top of this cake.  We wedged in two wood skewers in the car and then gently slid them through the cake. The car is hovering above the cake.


The table was set up with the same road border and red, yellow, green colored tableware.  Yes, I realize these boys are not 5 anymore, but what can I say?  I'll probably always have little kid parties for the big kids...it's what I do. At least I stopped myself before I got out the Matchbox cars.
16th Driving Birthday party @michellepaigeblogs.com

More signs on various blackboard stands scattered throughout the table. I dug out leftover paper plates and napkins from this past party. Red plastic cups at each place setting. 
A few balloons on top of orange cone markers finished off the table.

16th Driving Birthday party @michellepaigeblogs.com

16th Driving Birthday party @michellepaigeblogs.com
16th Driving Birthday party @michellepaigeblogs.com

Now, maybe you're wondering what 16 year olds do at a birthday party besides eat? I was wondering that same thing...fortunately, my son planned the activities.

Ultimate Frisbee scrimmage game against the Jr. High boys he coaches. 




Followed by snacks.
16th Driving Birthday party @michellepaigeblogs.com

Very competitive Wii Golf tournament. (Where are my pictures?)
Followed by dinner.


16th Driving Birthday party @michellepaigeblogs.com

Basketball Bump game that they didn't want to stop playing...



Followed by cake and gifts.

Porsche Car Cake at a 16th Birthday Party @michellepaigeblogs.comPorsche Car Cake at a 16th Birthday Party @michellepaigeblogs.com



And there you have it.  Happy 16th Birthday, Jacob!
Click here to print your own Driving Party Printables.

16th Driving Birthday party @michellepaigeblogs.com






Want to see more of my son's parties?
Rubik's Cube Party



Ultimate Frisbee PartyUltimate Frisbee Party Cake @michellepaigeblogs.com


Camping Party

There's a ton more parties to see!
Click here for an A to Z party link list of every party on the blog.
Over 60 parties!


Linking up to BFF Party
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