After the week-long festivities of graduation, we joined together with our long-time friends for one more celebration. And to keep it simple and fun, the Taco Truck came.
A view from the street (looks inviting, doesn’t it?)
On this very hot day, we had lots of drinks.
Very simple decorations with a Mexican theme.
Tables on the grass with mismatched chairs.
Chips and salsas on every table, along with my Texas Cavier Dip, featured THIS WEEK at the EVO ’10 conference (as “Summer Bean Salad”) in Park City, UT! This recipe will also be included in my NEW book, The Reluctant Entertainer, released in one month!
Who was this celebration for? Our son and his childhood friend since Kindergarten, Lauren.
Even their favorite 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Landon, came to celebrate.
The moms enjoyed making “Memory Boards.”
And stringing school pictures.
Other graduates popped in, along with very special friends.
We re-created memories from this 5th grade celebration.
Then and now. (Love ya, Callie Jo!)
Cake for all all the 2010 graduates!
The only thing missing is pictures of the VERY TIRED PARENTS (us!) … it would have been a great picture to capture what we looked like right before we went to bed that night. Our friends were so generous to share their home with us, and we worked together as a team, for sure!
I’m glad graduation is over, but more importantly I’m so very thankful for wonderful friends and families who come together to help celebrate our children’s milestones.
Have you thought about joining together with another family to plan a larger party and to share expenses?
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 
I’ve never thought of this before, but you’ve got my wheels turning and I’m filing this away for the future!!!
.-= Tara G.´s last blog ..Conglomeration =-.
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How fun! I love outdoor parties. Though it’s getting to be a bit to hot and humid for that right now. Unless we make it a Midnight party but then we’d probably get ate up by mosquitoes. Just can’t win! LOL!
Have a fabulous day!
.-= Kim @ Homesteader’s Heart´s last blog ..Friday Funnies! =-.
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i love outdoor parties and wish we lived somewhere warmer that we could do it year round, our summers are short in Michigan
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..To smoke or not to smoke? =-.
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What a fun idea!
We did something similiar 6 years ago when I married my husband. Since it was a second wedding for each, it was laid back and small. For our rehearsal dinner, we hired a chuck wagon for our backyard. They brought a covered wagon, I kid you not, complete with cowboys and steaks cooked over a pit. It was delicious and my yankee inlaws talked about it forever! ( We lived in Texas at the time ) Good times for sure.
.-= Paula´s last blog ..A Proud Day =-.
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You can rent a taco truck? That would be fabulous. We love our taco truck at Sounder games :0)
.-= ellen b´s last blog ..Yard Art ~ Bears! =-.
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We haven’t had that happen yet, but we have several graduates in our church and a few of them combined parties. I would love an outdoor “kitchen” like the one in your picture. WOW!!
.-= Kirstin´s last blog ..Homemade Freezer Jam =-.
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Sandy, what a GREAT idea…I never KNEW you could rent the taco truck!!! LOL……..still I can imagine how easy it was for the parents of the graduate!! And I share the sentiment as my daughter (last one at home!) graduated this year, too! Oh, so fun, but oh so exhausting!
Suzanne
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Friday Fives……. =-.
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I love this idea! My practical mind is working and wondering how the rental worked. Did you pay a flat fee and food was unlimited? Or was the cost per “meal”? Would you mind sharing more? I wonder if a taco wagon would serve vegetarian? I think it could be quite possible.
It looks like you had a fun party!
LaTeaDah
.-= LaTeaDah´s last blog ..The Serenity of French Country =-.
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With both their birthdays just 8 days apart in June, I know that our graduation Junes are going to be INSANE. This is a great idea – I can already envision this as a joint birthday celebration in future years.
Loved that entry-arbor btw!!!
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What an awesome theme! I love the childhood flashbacks.
Congrats on your upcoming book!
Dawn Camp´s last [type] ..My Baby Isn’t a Baby Anymore
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Loved the pix
What a great idea to host a party together
K Floortime lite mama´s last [type] ..W/OJune 19th: of Fathers days, of swimming and summer
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This is a brilliant idea! So many of our kids share the same friends, why not host a graduation party together with another family?!
Best wishes on the upcoming release date for your book! I’m so excited for you!!!
Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last [type] ..Your embarrassing moment deserves a gift…
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Wow I come here so often I don’t even have to type in my information anymore. Hee hee. I love this idea and we are always an advocate of joining forces with others to have a party. Each one of our 5 daughters who have graduated has had a Mexican Fiesta themed party too in the backyard complete with lights in the yard, virgin margarita machines going, bright tables, Mexican dresses and lots of yummy food. Love it.
Barbara Collins´s last [type] ..Happy Fathers Day God
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We did join with two other families for my older daughter’s grad party. It just would have been “wrong” to do it separately since our families are so close. It was grand fun!! And we could have three times the ideas churning and help as well.
Great post here. I enjoyed seeing the graduates enjoying their very special moment.
Debbie´s last [type] ..A Tagalong Tale
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looks like a wonderful party!
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Last June, 5 kids (including my son) on our cul-de-sac graduated high school. We had one giant party right in the cul- de -sac. We had about 500 people throughout the day/evening. It was great to split the fixed costs (tent, d.j., decorations, table & chair rental) and we each paid the caterers fee per the # of family & personal friends we invited, Then we split the cost of the # of kids we ordered food for. It worked out great and the kids still call it the big blow out grad party!
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What a great idea!! Love it!! Will tuck it away for my first graduation 3 years from now!! ~Chris Ann
LoveFeast Table´s last [type] ..Trip to American Girl Doll Cafe NYC
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Where and how did you rent a taco truck? I am located in Michigan, and need to rent one for an upcoming party. I would appreciate any help! Thank you!
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Never heard of taco trucks but sounds interesting! I guess I can find those in the south border of USA.
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