I hosted an Usborne Book Party last night. It’s the first time I’ve ever hosted a party like this. And I loved it. It’s hard to be passionate about candles or f00d (well, maybe food) or spatulas. But I love me a good book. Especially kids’ books. And I wish I had every single book in that Usborne catalog. (<—yes, if you buy something, I get credit for free books. come on, it’s like buying something for Lydia and Asa!)
So, for those of you who couldn’t come, who wished they could hang out out my house last night or are just plain bored, here are the Top Ten Greatest Things About My Usborne Party Last Night:
1. Paula Deen’s Chocolate Popcorn. Pamela, the Usborne lady (what’s a better title?) and friend, told me not to go overboard on food. She said, “Just pop popcorn.” Not serving food at a party? Well, that’s a little hard for me. But I tried to be obedient. I had popcorn and M&Ms…and I made Paula Deen’s Delicious and Delectable Chocolate Popcorn. (I just made that title up.) And it was ridiculously yummy.
2. Magnet Books Lydia has all these crazy magnetic play-boards from and they are such a good idea– punch out the magnet, put it in it’s little carrying case and bam! instant fun on the road. Except there is only one magnettic page and the little magnets have no where to go, they just roll around in the case. Not to mention, they are the cheapiest magnets ever. SO. These Usborne books are perfect. Each magnet fits into it’s own spot (like a puzzle) on the front and back page. Then every page in the book is a strong magnet. It’s awesome. I’m totally getting one.
3. Facebook. All my bffs who were coming to the party had to cancel for one reason or another. So, the only confirmed guests I had were…my mom. So, I sent an APB out on facebook and my friend (who doesn’t even have kids!) from church showed up after I promised her hugs from Asa and chocolate popcorn! I also sent a facebook message to an already rsvp-ed-friend, Stephanie. She was going to skip but when she got my message, she came anyway–and is going to do her own Usborne party now!
4. Touchy Feely Books. Of course, these were Asa’s faves. He couldn’t take his hands off (or his mouth for that matter) these books with tails for pulling, ears for rubbing and mirrors for looking. The books I really liked were the Luxury Touchy Feely books because they are big–like an 8.5″ square. And they had ineresting fabrics–velcro, satin with bumps on it, etc. Someone MAY have already ordered Lydia the Fairies touchy feely book…
5. Internet Linked Books. When I was little my grandmother bought my brother and me about five awesome pop-up books. They were like pop-up encyclopedias with real photos and facts about animals and sealife. I loved those books. Well, that’s what these Usborne encylopedia-type books reminded me of. They weren’t pop-up (but that would be a great idea, Usborne!) but they had beautiful pictures and easy to read information. You can buy the subject indiviudally (like Lydia’s favorite, below) or as a whole huge encylopedia. Plus, they have kid-friendly, family-safe internet sites to go with each subject! How cool is that?!
6. Magical Corn Dip a la Vanderbilt Wife. Also my own made up title for this recipe. But it is so very delicious that it’s magical. Magically Delicious. Hmmm…now where have I heard that before?
7. Two catalog pages filled to the brim with FAIRIES and PRINCESSES. It was pink even. Every fairy story, princess story and magical tale known to man. But not the Disney version. And as much as I love Disney, I’m glad to see books that are about you know, BOOKS.
8. That’s Not My Pirate. Yeah. I think Asa’s getting this for his birthday.
9. Big Book of Playtime Activities. This is the book I want for my own personal self. It reminded me of my old Childcraft books when I was a kid. (*sigh*) It is full of step-by-step drawing, easy crafts (like a puppet out of an envelope!) and fun activities. Stephanie saw it and said, “We’re going to see all this stuff on Impress Your Kids.” I think she’s right. Seriously, if I didn’t have kids, I’d still want to do this book all by myself. (<—geek)
10. Lydia never looking up from a book the entire night. Girl after my own heart.
(Lydia reading her new Everyday Words book during breakfast this morning.)
:: :: :: ::
So, link up your Top Ten list today! Just write 10 things about…well, about anything. Then enter your permalink below. Link back to me so your readers can join in the fun. Then visit the rest of our amazing Top Ten lists and leave some comment love.
I love Usborne Books! If I can get some time today, I’ll write a top ten. Lots of ideas, not much time!
.-= Real Life Sarah´s last blog .."I am the Friend" =-.
That chocolate popcorn sounds yummy!
.-= Jodi´s last blog ..Top Ten ~ summer fun =-.
I love Usborne books, and the parties are seriously fun, too! I sit and read all the books…. Sorry I couldn’t join you last night!
I so love good children’s books! (I would be all over your online party, but budget is VERY tight until Hub’s finished grad school. December 18th!!!!!!!!) (Can you tell I’m excited about that?)
.-= Heather @ Not a DIY Life´s last blog ..You Never Know =-.
Bubba LOVES the Usborne “That’s Not My…” (dinosaur and monkey are his current favorites)! And the Usborne Picture Atlas is one of our homeschool faves 🙂 Sounds like you had a fun party!
.-= MamaHall´s last blog ..menu planning monday: a funny story about meatloaf =-.
So sorry I missed it!! I started looking online & I *think* in person would have definitely been easier!! I’m slightly overwhelmed at the online!!!
.-= mandi @ it’s come to this´s last blog ..Instead of sleeping =-.
I love Usborne books! I mean…my daughter loves them! Okay…we both do. 🙂
.-= Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last blog ..Top 10 Things I Learned From My Survey =-.
Mmmm. I think I might have to have that corn dip for supper some night.
I need to check out the fairy books. The Disney fairies are skank-y! I don’t want my little girl looking at them.
.-= Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..Nearing 500 =-.
Sounds like it was a fun night! I wish I could’ve purchased something, but money is to tight right now. I did look through the online catalog, though. There were several books I would’ve loved to have for the girls.
.-= AmyG´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday – School Supplies =-.
If I was on that side of town I would have showed up even though I don’t have kids. 🙂
I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there! Sounds like you guys had fun! E went back to school today, and I plan on sending R tomorrow. Hopefully this is the end of the sickies for awhile. We need to get together!
Hey, I’ve just realized what hotlinking is and that I’ve been doing it with your TTT icon. I tried to use the code you have on your about TTT page, but it doesn’t work. Would you send me the code again so I’m not hotlinking you anymore?
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday – Ten Slighly Odd Things I Do =-.
I’m completely hungry and going to slobber over the chocolate popcorn (I love most things Paula and I’m sure this will not fail) and Jessie’s yummy concoction! DELISH!
And the books look great! I’ll have to check them out. Any magnet is a BIG hit at our house right now. And it’s all fun until they swallow one.
.-= Hillary @ The Other Mama´s last blog ..The Pirate Birthday Party- It Takes a Bloggy Village =-.
Books! I love touch and feel and pop-up books. I read one in an independent bookstore one day, and a lady got mad at me for reading, touching, and pulling up the flaps on a book I wasn’t going to buy. It was a sad day. These touchy-feely books sound awesome!
.-= Mary-Carolyn´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday — Books for the Under 10 Crowd =-.
OH! You cruel, cruel woman – posting about children’s books right before my daughter’s 3rd birthday! I’m going to have to peruse the catalog.
.-= Jeni´s last blog ..WFMW: Cutting the Facebook Clutter =-.
I’m so glad you facebook’d me! It was definitely worth it and I got so much Christmas shopping done. Can’t wait for my own party! I’ve already got a list of unsuspecting mommies/grandmothers/aunts to invite. And I should have gotten the popcorn to go! Thanks for having me.
Great informational blog! I love your writing style – Awesome work Thank you!
Really needed article admin fantastic 1 i bookmarked your web page see you in up coming blog site publish.
I required for this weblog put up admin really thanks i’ll seem your upcoming sharings i bookmarked your website
Your blog post Top Ten {Tuesday}: My Usborne Party | ohamanda.com was very well written. Thank you for sharing such high quality content. Btw, please check out my blog as well and let me know what you think, thanks!
With immense pride I wholeheartedly recommend the website http://www.seo-backlinks.org.uk to all those who are searching for quality Backlink Diversity that will knock out google panda and penguin crush your competition and catapult your website to the first page of Google search engine. I am extremely happy and impressed with their professional, prompt and dedicated services. So go online and explore the web now.