Graduation Parties

some of the ideas I used:

my pintrest:

http://www.pinterest.com/guest1199/usna-graduation-party-ideas/


jumpy thing at another party-son number two tripped over the shoes OUTSIDE the jumpy thing and ended up with a pile of stitches in his face.--

army party i went to had dollar store army hats upside down as chip bowls.

we used a ton of blue and yellow xmas lights everywhere.

we also a big children's chalkboard out front that simply said "go navy beat army"

we made a music loop with some sailing sons and mixed in village people and other navy songs

we had boxes of captain crunch on the table

we had an out door ping pong table (huge hit) and tv outside to watch the blackhawks
 
I used camo netting in my 1LT's bedroom (when he was 4). You can find it at the Army surplus store, if you have one in town.
 
To go along with the bubble wrap theme, we're thinking of renting those sumo wrestler suits :shake:
 
So....my idea for his grad party, if that golden ticket from USNA arrives, is to have a Lobster Bake! It goes with the Annapolis theme.

Maryland crabs, not Maryland lobsters.

And crabs are better anyway.
 
I read somewhere about having pre-addressed post cards at the graduation party so people could write encouraging notes to send off during swab/plebe summer. I'd say collect the cards and send them off little by little every couple of days.
 
Nice ideas everyone! I like the army helmet/chip bowl idea. That would work for either AROTC or USMA. We have an old army duffle bag around here someplace that I may try to adapt as a card box.
 
I read somewhere about having pre-addressed post cards at the graduation party so people could write encouraging notes to send off during swab/plebe summer. I'd say collect the cards and send them off little by little every couple of days.

We made 50 funny postcards to be sent as well. I think I even have them if you PM me I can send you my email and I can email them to you. Some of them are inside jokes but many are military related.

1. at usna postcards are considered fair game to be read out loud. I knew this so I numbered about 15 postcards (the pictures were all anti WP and USAFA slanted and funny) and wrote an ongoing soap opera about our dog who decided to run away, couldn't make it through navy dodmerb and went to west point. The postcards were about our dog's ongoing adventures at west point. His mail call detailers read them out loud. Son said it was pretty funny and helped give everyone a chuckle.

2. USNA plebe summer Packages are delivered every day, but mail is every few days. So if you really want to send letters put them in packages.

3. Consider check list letters. Here is a sample of one (I wrote six I think which I have):


Son,
Know your are busy so just fill in the blanks:
Week of Plebe summer____

Dear Mom, Dad, (brother, sister, dog)

1. Life here is:
a.) getting better
b.) fantastic, beyond my wildest expectations!
c.) hard, but I can handle it.
d.) please send help!

2. Last night:
a.) I got to bed at _____ and slept for _____ Minutes.
b.)_____Slept, who slept?

3. New Friends:_________________________________

4. My bed is made so tight that the quarter hits the ceiling.
a.) TRUE b.) FALSE c.) that’s weird

5. I plan on making my bed when I get home for Thanksgiving.
a.) TRUE b.) FALSE c.) NEVER d.)LOL hahahahahah

6. My bed is like:
a.) Papa Bear’s – Too hard
b.) Mama Bear’s – Too soft
c.) Baby Bear’s – Just Right
d.) I haven’t tried it out yet

7. Circle all that apply…My Roommate is
(circle all that apply):
Great match…Friendly….Dresses Funny….Quiet…. Sleeps more than me...Loud…. Hates Me….Snores….Do I have a roommate? I prefer to think of him as a cell mate… Of course he thinks I’m cool…smells like Uncle Paul…has nice hair.

8. Have you got any awards yet?
a.) Yes.___________________________________
b.) Not yet, but soon.
c.) No and it doesn’t look likely.
d.) You are kidding, right?

9. Has the yelling at Plebe summer:
a.) Increased
b.)Decreased
c.) I can tell you, but then they’d yell at me.
d.) increased, but still less than Coach Linkovitch

10. On a scale of 1-10 how is your company working as a team?
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
____pitiful
____what’s worse than pitiful?

11. I’m going to go to church:
a.) because I’m learning what a sense of humor God has
b.) because they have free cookies
c.) Pray for me!
d.) To get a break from getting yelled at

12. When I passed my fitness test, I did:
____ push-ups ____ sit ups, I did my run in _____.

13. Who loves you more:
a.) Detailer b.) Mom c.) Lacey (dog)

14. How long does it take to make your bed correctly?
a.) twelve seconds
b.) 2 hours
c.) Haven’t found out yet
d.) Jesus is coming back before I get that done.

15. You passed your swim Test!
a.) TRUE b.) FALSE c.) NEVER
d.) please send my old water wings, a noodle, a life jacket, two kickboards and that blonde lifeguard from Baywatch.
e) Get your money back from that year of swim lessons at the YMCA, seriously.

16. Do these questions EVER end…really Mom…I don’t have time for all these!

17. My favorite thing about Plebe Summer is:
a.) Marching
c.) When do we get to blow things up?
d.) LOVE studying for tests!
e.) I’m the sexiest guy here!

18. My LEAST favorite thing about Plebe Summer is:
a.) I’ve forgotten what sleep is!
b.)Who the heck picked all this grey paint
c. )No hot chocolate
d.) It starts way too early in the morning and I am just not a morning person!
e.) I love every single thing about plebe summer

19. Finally, What I think about Plebe Summer surveys
a. LOVE them! How easy is this? Mom will write to herself for me!
b. MOM! Please! I’m not at summer camp!
c. My mom is a hoot and a half. More plebes need a Mom like her!

20. When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?

Love,
Your grateful son



My son never returned these letters but he did tell me him and his roommates loved them.
 
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What about Graduation Trips??

Hi all,

Great ideas for graduation parties but what about ideas for graduation trips? My son had his heart set on going to Europe and playing water polo literally the day after graduation/project graduation party... but we've discovered most water polo clubs and teams go on vacation the month of June and don't return until July and/or August. So, what to do?

I am so nervous about him getting injured or something before IDay at USNA... and really wish we could postpone the trip until afterwards. But, it looks like it'll be next summer before he really gets a break and then how do you know when in the summer? We were told since he is a water polo athlete he'd probably have a break either June or July. (Preseason starts in August).

Plus, with graduation on June 8... that doesn't leave much time before July 1st. So, where ever he goes - it must include fitness. arrrrr.

A tropical beach sounds great to me... but?? Any ideas?

Thanks!!
 
The postcard/letter idea is a great one!

I second the caution on the inflatable. DS fell from one freshman year & hurt his shoulder. Still waiting to hear on waiver!

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Great Fun!

Payitforward, totally agree with you, this is such a great thread! This is even better than Pinterest!

Vista123, your fill-in-the-blank letter idea is fabulous, and your information about letters and packages to the USNA, especially during Plebe summer, is appreciated.

Grevar, I had heard the same thing about collecting letters to send. Good reminder.

Navymomwannabe, we're thinking Chipotle-catered as well! DS and all of his friends are completely addicted to the place.

Prepswimmom, air craft carrier cake! You're a genious!

Lots of other great ideas posted here. Bill the Goat Cookies? Love it! Keep 'em coming!
 
One thing to think about is doing a low keyed graduation celebration (dinner) and then having the big party right before they leave. Many kids have their own graduation parties, and it might mean their best friends can't make it. Holding it off for a few weeks allows him/her to go their friends party and their friends to be with them for one last time.

The same goes for if they are going ROTC. You can do the same type of theme, but tie it into their college too.

We did it this way when our DS commissioned. We held it off to the following weekend because on the day of commissioning, his friends from ROTC were all with their family. The next weekend they were all free. Family and your friends still know by the invite it is a celebration in their honor and will come.
 
Here I sit in yet another winter storm - this time with Blizzard warnings! man-o-man! Anyhow, today I think I will finish writing out the baby shower plans, and then on to the grad party. As long as DS is stuck home today, perhaps I will dictate and he can write (oh with his input of course!!).
 
DHinNH:

Blue Crabs definitely never lobster. Save those for the Coast Guard and NAPS. Either main course congratulations.:thumb: So far we are expecting rain then freezing so tomorrow should be fun.
 
One thing to think about is doing a low keyed graduation celebration (dinner) and then having the big party right before they leave. Many kids have their own graduation parties, and it might mean their best friends can't make it. Holding it off for a few weeks allows him/her to go their friends party and their friends to be with them for one last time.

The same goes for if they are going ROTC. You can do the same type of theme, but tie it into their college too.

We did it this way when our DS commissioned. We held it off to the following weekend because on the day of commissioning, his friends from ROTC were all with their family. The next weekend they were all free. Family and your friends still know by the invite it is a celebration in their honor and will come.

This is a great suggestion and I think what we will end up doing! There are just so many graduation parties within one/two weekends. The weather here in the PNW is also very unpredictable in June, and our little house definitely necessitates the party be outside! August, before everyone leaves for their respective colleges seems like a great idea. I want DS to be able to enjoy going to all of his friends parties. Thanks for the suggestion :)
 
Hi all,

Great ideas for graduation parties but what about ideas for graduation trips?

A tropical beach sounds great to me... but?? Any ideas?

Thanks!!

we are going to Puerto Rico. Last family hurrah before plebe summer? college? whichever it is....the family dynamics will be changing.

We rented a penthouse condo on the beach for a week (very reasonable) and it's 10 min. from the rainforest and the bio luminescent bay (DS is all over this stuff) and DD and I wanted beach so we're right on the ocean....should fit the bill for everyone. Also doesn't require passports and we have enough frequent flyer miles for all 5 of us to fly for free. That doesn't help with water polo, but running on the beach is good exercise! :)
 
Puerto Rico is great!! We were stationed there for three years and are actually moving back this summer. I recommend Old San Juan which is great for strolling the streets, eating local food, and checking out the shops. Also the Fort at El Morro is there and worth seeing. You can take the ferry across and visit the Bacardi Factory too.

A good website is http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/

Hope you have a wonderful time!!
 
Thanks coastiefam! We will have a car so day trips are the plan. I appreciate the website too, I want the kids to start reading up and deciding what they want to do. :)
 
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