Monday, September 11, 2006

Queens and King

















High King Peter escorts the soon to be crowned Queen Chante to her throne.
Queen Susan and Queen Chante thanking everyone for making the night so special.

Mr. Tumnus in Narnia



The images are starting to role in from the Narnia party. So keep checking back for new ones.

Here is Mr. Tumnus (also known as Mr. Templeton). He was very convincing, maybe a bit too convincing.....

Ruthie's Got the Look


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Ruthie was happy we all were home from China. Here she is with Yvonne at Shoreline CCs coffee house. She likes to pose for the camera!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Setting up House B at PHF


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The Week After

Well, it has been a week since the big party and things are slowly returning to "normal". The party was a wonderful success, and I loved seeing Chante blush as she was crowned and applauded at the end of the evening!

Thank you to all who helped make this night such a special time for Chante and all of us. I believe she will always remember it.

I am hoping to get my hands on some photos from the night (I was a bit preoccupied to take any) and if possible post some here.

Good news from the Philip Hayden Foundation in China. They opened up their newest home to some wonderful children just about 2 weeks ago. This was a house we helped set up for them, so it was great to see pictures of babies in the rooms we decorated.

Chante was able to raise over $500.00 to send to PHF. She is thrilled! So thank you again, all who made this possible. We love you!!!

Friday, August 25, 2006

Goofing off in China


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Thought you might like to see Chante goofing off in China with her friend Yvonne!

One Week Away

We are just a week away from the big celebration. Plans are coming along great with so many of you offering all kinds of help. Thanks! Chante is soooo excited and so am I. We will be setting up through out the week, so feel free to contact me if you would like to pitch in...and I may be calling you too!

See you next Friday!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Presents

Speaking of what Chante needs, which is really nothing, I want to address the subject of presents. (She might have a different opinion, but we all know it is true!)

We aren't completely opposed to presents, but have another alternative if you would like.

Chante spent two weeks in China this summer working with orphans like Melody (from a previous post.) I hope to have some pictures of our trip at the party for you to look at and if, instead of buying a present or bringing food, you would like to make a donation to The Philip Hayden Foundation it would be a wonderful blessing. We will have a place at the party for you to give these donations and will send them off to PHF on behalf of you and Chante.

How you can help

Well....we're hoping that this party for Chante is like one she's never seen before. However, with our limited resources we could always use some help.

Are you artistic? I could use some decorating ideas and help. Days before the party I am sure I will be painting, designing, whatever. The day of the party, and maybe the night before, I will need help setting up.

Do you like food? Instead of presents, since what does Chante really need, food is always welcome. I am planning on snack type food, maybe a potato bar, tea items, desserts....who knows what else. So if you are an adult attendee, your help in this way would be much appreciated. Maybe a potluck birthday party seems a bit tacky to some, but hey, the more food the better in most people's estimation!

Do you have any inspiring ideas? If you have any great ideas we should try to incorporate, share them here and let's make this great!

Costume Information

Well, I hope you have received your Narnia Party invitation and are planning to attend.

A costume isn't mandatory, but might help you get into the spirit of things! :) There are some great costume ideas online.

The time period in Narnia is basically clothing from the Renaissance or Middle Ages. However, you may want to come attired as someone from neighboring Calormen, which is more Middle Eastern (think turbans, etc). Also, there is Archenland to the south, which could be just about any kind of royal wear. Maybe you have stumbled into the wardrobe from 1940s London and want to stay in the clothes you arrived in...or the coat you borrowed from the wardrobe! And if you want to go to the very exotic you can come as almost anything from the islands visited by the Dawn Treader. Be creative and have some fun!

This party is for all ages and I hope that those with families will participate. We hope that this will be a memorable event for everyone.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Chante and Melody


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Here is Chante at the Langfang Children's Village in China. This photo was taken at the House of Peace on July 29th. The baby Chante is holding is named Melody and has a condition called "fail to thrive". Melody really benefitted from all the extra love and attention she received from Chante and other members (Liz!) of the team.

Getting Started

Welcome to our family blog! The Holyde family is excited about hosting Chante's last big birthday blow-out until she's 16! The birthday party is scheduled for Friday, September 1, 2006 at Shoreline Calvary Chapel (under the bell tower.)

The initial purpose for this site is to link you to birthday information and ideas for the party. We are hoping you will come attired in your best Narnian/Calormene/Archenland outfit. (I think Ruthie is hoping to be a talking animal!)

As we discover links and other ideas we will be posting! So keep in touch!