Launch (Part 1)

Ciao! Arrivederci! Bye!

Ate Mais! See Ya Later

Adios! Vaya Con Dios!

Later! Farewell! So Long!

Tchau! God Bless You!

3-2-1-Lift Off!

Sayonara! Saude!

AufWiedersehen! Adeus

Hasta La Vista! Valete!

GOD BE WITH YOU!!!

Boa Sorte! Au Revoir!

Ate Amanha! Bye Bye!

 
That is how The Launch begins.  The front of the invitation for Will & Cecilia's party. 
 
Then the inside:

Will & Cecilia, to launch a new life,

Are off to Brazil to become man & wife.

April 2012 is the wedding, they say,

But their September move is just weeks away!

Their Baby-on-Board, to claim two countries home,

Will be born February of ‘12. How Great! Que Bom!

They’re packing post haste—80 pounds x 4.

Choosing what to take? To give up? To store?

‘Cuz the bride & groom (aka parents-to-be)

Have such limits on luggage, as well you can see,

A gift card from TARGET or BABIES-r-US

Would rock, with some time just to talk & some hugs.

Our doors will be open. Come & go. Come & stay!

We want you to share as they launch their new way.

Here are some pix of the prep and the Launch Party.

 I made a Diaper Cake with the help of my man.  Sometimes it takes 4 hands to corral a ring of diapers or baby washcloths.  Cute little toys tucked in!  Check out the frog teether, cow and duck wrist rattles, and kitty filled with buckwheat for booboos.  I love the snuggle puppy slippers.

The Pre-Party Party started on Friday afternoon when all hands were on deck to prep party food--guava cheesecakes, fruits, veggies, and two wonderful sides with Portuguese names that I can't begin to spell.
But before all the work, there was a surprize birthday dinner to eat.  While the fam was all together, I decided that we needed to celebrate Steve Jr's October birthday with his favorite manicotti.  It was a surprize all right, 5 weeks in advance of the birthdate!



What Manicotti?



This is what 36 looks like . . .



Steve lights up, breaking the long-standing house rule of
"No Fires In the Living Room"



We sang.  He took a really deep breath . . .



He made a wish and blew (with a little help from Mom)

 And then, gentlemen--start your slicing, dicing, mixing, rolling, baking, and dishwashing!

Will suffered through many teary onions

Old Guys Rule



Kim helped with Can't Stop Cookie prep












the two Steves rolled cookie dough with Kim



There's always fun around the sink with the chief cooks and bottle washers

I gave Kim a terrarium as a hostess gift.  Used to have one in the '60's and it was fun to make a little Brazilian rainforest to remember the launch party for our soon-to-be Brazilian loved ones.  It's hiding behind some of the flowers already out for the party.  Late late night, but a great Pre-Party Party.