I did it!
I survived our first graduate.
Then I survived our first graduation party with a fun celebration of our eldest son. This was last night actually, with WAY more people in attendance than I thought were coming.
Unfortunately, I slacked on my making memory duties and completely forgot about taking pictures until late last night, when the majority of our guests had left. (Well, except for the cupcakes. I have amazing pictures of the cupcakes. ;))
As I ran around the house before the party, causing a bit more stress in the atmosphere than I desire, our graduate remarked, “Mom, no one really cares if the house is a bit messy. As long as there is great music and this food, we are fine, so relax.”
Now, honestly, I think he just wanted to get out of trimming the side yard, which I had just requested, and telling the momma to relax when she is running on high level energy is not recommended, but this quote is note-worthy because the boy speaks truth.
I didn’t finish all the special touches that I wanted to before the guests came, but the party was a huge success anyhow. We women put far too much emphasis on pinterest perfect parties, but with wonderful friends, good food and even better music, the air was one of celebration, and that was the whole point.
Music plays a huge part of my life. As a musician, worship leader and former music director, I know how music sets the tone for so many varying occasions. The right “play list” can infuse energy into any atmosphere, and that was true at the beginning of ours. (Once the crowds came, I brought it inside since the chit chat was no longer quiet.)
For years, any time we had parties, we’d haul this 200 pound beast downstairs from the boys room, and set it up outside.
It comes courtesy of my concert playing years, when I would plug my keyboard and mic into it, but it’s HEAVY! It’s the only option we owned that would play not only music from our ipod, but one that would give us a big enough sound for outdoors. When I threw our Teen Party on a Budget, we hauled it out. It blasted great music. The kids danced, but it was a pain!! I can’t move it by myself, so it’s very limiting.
Can I just tell you how I LOVE technology?
Welcome the wireless Sonos System.
All the music on earth. In every room. Wirelessly – it’s a dream come true for music lovers.
I love the fact that music is so much more accessible these days, especially with all the online options. Sonos makes the home listening experience so easy. My son set it up yesterday and within the hour, we were streaming all the music that he already had downloaded onto his computer through our Sonos speaker.
With the Sonos, you can control all the music in your home wirelessly.
Before yesterday, I would just listen to my music through small speakers attached to my computer, but the sound was never “company” worthy. The Sonos system has amazing sound, even better than my 16 year old dated large amp, and I recommended it to my friends at the party. No, this is not a yard sale find type of item. You don’ t find things like this second hand, so it’s one of those line items you put aside for in the budget because it’s a worthy investment, just like any stereo equipment would be. Save where you can, so you can spend on what you want, has always been a theme here. I believe in good investments.
Once the crowds cleared out, it cracked me up because it was only then that the guys at the party noticed what was playing the music. They all started drilling me on it, and had more questions than I could answer, but they all thought it was so cool. So yes, I know this is perfect timing because this would make a great gift for the Dad or Grad in your life.
And here’s what it looked like at the end of our party. Lots of mess. Great music, and a son still coming back for more food. (Yes, we did make it stretch right to the end.)
Full disclosure: I partnered with Sonos to bring you this review, but all enjoyment of our music listening pleasure and opinions are mine.
Really???$400??? I am just trying to pay the bills each month and struggling to have a small family gathering to celebrate my graduate. Not really “frugal” enough for me. That would buy a months worth of groceries for our family of 4
Debbie – I completely understand and have been there for more seasons of my life than I care to count. First, it’s $300, but yes, it’s an investment piece, and yes, it’s close to a month of groceries for us as well. It can be literally a complete stereo system, so that’s why it’s an investment. It’s one of those reasons that I have save where I can by shopping Goodwill and cutting coupons, that I can spend on some of those bigger investments. But not all phases of my life could I have bought this either.
I think it’s great! Thanks for sharing the Sonos. I’d never heard of it. I know you can’t please everyone all the time. But thank you for all the work you put into your posts!
True, its not a $1 frugal item… but sometimes when it comes to passion of something like being a “music lover” as Jen mentioned, people (esp men) spend a LOT on the stuff of their passion. So, I appreciate these posts because I have the confidence that a mega frugal blogger wont mislead her audience into buying a piece of Junk for $400…(and we know how many pieces of junk are available for more dollars than that).
So we should welcome ‘investment’ posts like these ……and put them aside if they dont apply to us particularly.
🙂
So true. I just told Debbie that the reason I shop Goodwill and cut coupons is so that I can save on areas that aren’t as important to me, to splurge every once in awhile on those things that are investment pieces. Of course, $300 won’t always be in the budget, but when it is, this is a neat investment.
@Jen,
Yes, I believe in investment pieces for different phases of life.
Coming from India, its in my culture to cook food from scratch. But this phase in my life, i just had preemie twins, wrapping up a PHD in electrical engineering along witha full time job in IT… Cooking is not that much of an activity at home. Therefore, I skim and skip through all the kitchen ‘nvestment’ posts.
However, when this season passes, then I WILL go back to those posts cos I trust a frugal-blogger-with (apparently giant-ish appetite kids)-who-cooks-from-scratch’s input on kitchen investment pieces. For now, pass. I hope I am making sense.
@jennie,
I meant to put a ‘smiley’ in there. LOl
🙂
Debbie – I completely understand and have been there for more seasons of my life than I care to count. First, it’s $300, which is still an investment piece, and yes, it’s close to a month of groceries for us as well. It can be literally a complete stereo system, so that’s why it’s an investment. It’s one of those reasons that I save where I can by shopping Goodwill and cutting coupons, so that I can spend on some of those bigger splurges. Not all phases of my life could I have bought this either, but by putting a bit aside every month for things you want to purchase that are “wants, not needs” is the whole theme of my blog.
Congratulations on your graduate! I needed to read this today because I was starting to waiver on homeschooling through highschool!! And the sonos looks wonderful. I got a bose cd player a few years ago (35th birthday present from hubby and we don’t normally exchange gifts) and it does have ipod input. I love it and it’s one of my favorite things 🙂
Kristi
I won’t lie, homeschooling through high school is not for the faint of heart, but it can be done. Eventually, I will get around to a post on the topic. 🙂
@Jen,
Yes, I believe in investment pieces for different phases of life.
Coming from India, its in my culture to cook food from scratch. But this phase in my life, i just had preemie twins, wrapping up a PHD in electrical engineering along witha full time job in IT… Cooking is not that much of an activity at home. Therefore, I skim and skip through all the kitchen ‘nvestment’ posts.
However, when this season passes, then I WILL go back to those posts cos I trust a frugal-blogger-with (apparently giant-ish appetite kids)-who-cooks-from-scratch’s input on kitchen investment pieces. For now, pass. I hope I am making sense. 🙂
Luckily we are are only starting 6th (with my twins) and our daughter is only 3. We have homeschooled on and off. And this past year they were in school and it sealed the deal that they need to be home with us. I think I have a much different outlook on education than most. I wouldn’t say I’m an “unschooler” but share their ideas as well. I was reading one of your old posts on homeschooling and your right, homeschooling, breastfeeding and co-sleeping are the parenting trigger topics like politics and religion!! LOL 🙂
Kristi
Congratulations on surviving your first graduation! Our daughter graduated last year and I know how emotional and stressful it can be. Your son looks like you! 🙂
Congrats on your first graduate. That’s quite an accomplishment for both of you. The graduate looks just like momma!