Are you planning a party?  I enjoy a good party.  Whether it's for an adult, a child, or just because... I like to entertain.  My daughter's birthday is coming up and this year we will add a little to her traditional pajama sleepover.  In addition to having a few friends over, we will have a tea party mid-afternoon.  I guess you can call it a Pajama Party Sleepover And Get Dressed Up Princess Tea Party?  Whatever we call it, it's sure to be fun hanging out with a bunch of girls five years old and up!

New This Year!  Contests!

This month - Free Birthday Party Giveaway!  Our Mom in the Spotlight is giving away a free birthday party.  This year was a historical year for us in regard to snow fall.  Do you miss the snow?  Did you miss the opportunity to build a snow man or just want to have fun doing it again?  Sno-To-Go will bring the snow to you for your child's very own Snow Party - Sno-Man Mania!

You're not that big on snow?  You already have your own party theme?  Sno-To-Go is also giving away a Free Party Package - includes 25 small shaved ice and 30 minutes serving time.

Rules for March contest drawings:

• Must be an ArlingtonParent.com e-newsletter subscriber.
• Go to the ArlingtonParent.com website and post a Parent Chat - or - Tell a friend about ArlingtonParent.com.
• Parent Chat:  It can be on any family friendly topic you would like to discuss or seek feedback on from the community.  (The idea is to inform you and get you use to using various areas of the site.)
• Tell a Friend:  Share ArlingtonParent.com with a friend by having them register for the newsletter.  In the comments section, have them type your name and email address so I can verify you as a newsletter subscriber.  Both you and your friend will be entered in the contest.
• Entries will be received through Monday (March 15).  Drawing will take place on Tuesday (March 16).  Winners announced on Wednesday (March 17).
• For more information on Sno-To-Go, click here.

We have a new Mom in the Spotlight for March: Grand Prairie Mom, Candice McClellin - Sno-To-Go Owner.  Click on the flowers to view.

New This Year! Dads Scoreboard/MVP Dad: Daniel Sweet/Mansfield Dad/Pastor of Matthew Road Baptist Church, Grand Prairie.  Click shirt.

~ Tammara

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

submitted by Candice McClellin, Owner of Sno-To-Go

1. Parties are such a memorable time in our children's lives. Although we want to invite everyone we know to celebrate with us, more intimate parties are often the ones children remember the most. Keep your guest count low and your child will have time to actually enjoy their guests.
2. Our current culture is not to savvy with RSVPs. There isn't really an easy way around this, but making a notation on the invite to please RSVP so you can plan accordingly is more helpful than just having RSVP and your phone number.
3. Keep your child's age in mind when deciding on the length of the party. Younger children are more temperamental and easily worn out. There is nothing worse than having a fussy child and an hour left of hosting your guests. One hour is a great timeframe for toddler and preschoolers, while two or three hours is acceptable for elementary age children.
4. When planning your party be mindful of traditional eating schedules. If your party is from 11:00am-1:00pm, your guests are going to assume lunch will be served. If that is not in your budget, plan your party further in the afternoon between lunch and dinner.
5. Start your main activity at least 15 minutes after the party start time. This allows for late arrivals to participate, and yes every party has at least a few late arrivals.
6. Designate help during the party. If your party requires a lot of your attention for games or food, ask a friend or family member to snap some pictures and write down the gift list for you. And please, open the gifts at the party. Parents spent money on your child, be courteous and open the gifts at the party.
7. Consider nixing the goody bags, they are expensive, moms really don't like them, and kids lose or break the small items quickly. If you are one of the thousands of moms who mean well but don't get around to thank you notes, include one with a sucker or small item and hand them out as guests depart. A thankful thought then is better than not one at all.