Soda Fountain Bar

Do you ever have one of "those" days? It is supposed to be exciteng and fun and everybody else seems to be doing great, but you are doing everything in your might to keep from tearing up?

Today was the end-of-the-year picnic at my son's school and I was wondering if I should go in the first place. I knew if I didn't I would be a wreck all week having regretted it...sooo I went for very selfish reasons. VERY SELFISH!

The "child" was on his way to the store with friends to get an icee...so, we pulled off in the parking lot and he drove down the road, hopped out and joined the other friends who were already there, then I drove back to the school to join my daughter who was there to enjoy the festivities of her brother's last day of school and she was talkking to an old coach of hers. I sat and talked to a few moms, and left the school in tears! SO.NOT.FUN! Oh for the days when the little ones would sit with me! As I was driving home, God brought comfort to me in knowing that I should be THANKFUL that they have friends to walk with, coaches who have been significant influences in their lives...that they are healthy and independent enough to carry on without having to have me close by. After all, that is what Momma birdies do...they nurture their young until they are independent enough to be strong on their own. I so look forward to what God is doing in each of them and I know that life is changing dramatically, but let me tell you...they will never be too old for holding my hand, kisses and hugs...prayer time at night and good-morning kisses.

So...tonight, we are not having our traditional last day of school dinner again, but we will be having an Soda Fountain Bar at some time tonight to celebrate what lies ahead. It may not be until midnight, and it may not be just the four of us...but a celebration is in order to celebrate yet another school year of God's AMAZING faithfulness.

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Soda fountain bars have been a family favorite now for years. They started off as a great alternative to soda pop and all the high fructose corn syrup, but over time, they have become a great thing to serve at parties! You would be surprised how many friends really mingle and talk as they exchange ideas and conversation over making their own drinks. {If you are finding it hard to justify purchasing the syrups just for a soda fountain bar, the syrups are great on waffles, crepes and pancakes, too!}

SOOOO, there is nothing wrong with a large tub of soda pop, water, crocks brimming with fresh lemonade and sweet tea, but you may want to mix it up a bit and do something that is way fun and an unexpected thing for your next celebration, your family's pizza night, or Taco Tuesday...

This is what you will need:

flavored Syrup {We like Monin, Torani, and DaVinci }

club soda {sparkling water, seltzer water, mineral water, carbonated water, fizzy water...everybody has a different name for it!} :}

ice

cups with domed lids {cash and carry}...so you can have mounds and mounds of whipped cream goodness!

straws

whipped cream {flavored ones are also fun to make!}

*It also helps to put out a little sign with direction to get them started! They will all be experts by the end of the evening. {I have one sign that I keep to put out when we serve them...but you can easily make a fancy schmancy one for a special occasion with your theme}


*The other advantage to serving Italian Cream Sodas is that there really is no need to make dessert,too! WOO HOO!

*I am almost done rambling on. {remember...my kiddies are not home this afternoon...to ramble on to, so I get to ramble on and on to whomever will listen!} The soda fountain bar may be kept simple or you can really deck it out for a party. We served these at a wedding reception and it was HUGE success! The flavors can be written on a large chalkboard for fun and you can use colored cups and straws to carry the theme. Think bridal showers, baby showers, graduation parties or what about for FATHER'S DAY???! For those who are not wanting to waste or use plastic, we have served them in the small Starbucks Frappucino Mocha bottles...no need for ice if everything is chilled...darling. That's it. DONE. Silence. Time to hop on over to the next blog...or start your evening of celebrating the last day of school!


For Christmas gifts...wrapped biscotti, red and white paper straws and napkins, and everything else you would like to include in your soda fountain gift can be placed in a large white bag with mini pom poms glued across the top and a large J.I.N.G.L.E bell tied to the handles!



Love to ALL of YOU!



Shared with: comfy in the kitchen, inspiration Friday