Black and White Dinner

Last night we had our first official Black and White family dinner.  One of my new years resolutions is to have monthly themed dinners.  I have big plans for the rest of the year so let's hope I can stick with it.  I decided that I want to start every January off with a fancy family dinner where we all make goals for the new year and practice good dinner etiquette.  We learned how to place our napkins, how not to burp and ask politely to be excused for the bathroom, no talking with food in your mouth, no slurping, gulping, etc.

The dinner was so much fun.  The kids loved all the balloons and candles.  I initially wanted to make something fancy for dinner, but I ended up being practical and made something the kids would actually eat, so we had Lasagna, breadsticks, salad, and chocolate pie for dessert.  I made Shirley Temples for the drink and that was definetly a favorite.

Everyone had to dress up fancy.  I let them choose their own outfits, and it was funny to see what combinations the kids came up with.  Shawn was the matradee and I, the hostess.  I even made Menu's and  took their orders like they were sitting at a fancy restaurant.  The writing on the Menu was a fancy cursive and was hard to read.  Ethan thought that the Shirley Temples were "Shitty Temples" and kept referring to those all night.  Shawn and I laughed every time someone asked for a "shitty temple".  Everyone was referred to as "sir" or "madame".  I have to say that Shawn wasn't ecstatic about the idea when I told him my plan the the dinner, but he was so wonderful, helpful and played his part perfectly last night.

So here are some of our GOALS, HOPES, AND DREAMS for 2011

Ethan:  See the statue of Liberty and the Presidents House, take a rock climbing class, climb the rope to the top in gym, learn how to rollerblade, and keep a clean room.

Cole:  Go to soccer camp, Disney World and Harry Potter World, learn how to do math problems better, learn an instrument (like the tube), and go hiking.

Olivia:  Have a princess tea party, take a gymnastic class, and learn how to swim.

Shawn:  Do better at Home Teaching and take the family to Disney World.

Jenn:  Take the family to the Wisconsin Dells for a weekend, exercise better, and get my children to eat healthier, learn more about graphic design,  and improve my sewing.