Luau

We enjoyed celebrating my Mom's retirement this weekend. Friends and family came to eat dinner and share banana splits. Here are a few pictures of the details.

I loved these tropical straws from the Dollar Tree.

The girls helped me wrap silverware in tropical napkins tied with a piece of raffia.

We added some Hawaiian paper dolls to a pennant banner we already had. 

Party favors for the kids and young at heart

Our invitation included a pun about Mary Ann saying it was "time to split", so we included a banana split bar for dessert. This hit a nostalgic spot with Mom's guests and was a fun first for our kids.

We found some glass banana split boats at Kroger, but asked the kind manager at Baskin Robbins to sell us some of his disposable ones. This was a great save since I didn't need a lot of 500 online. He even threw in the pink spoons!

  

Dodging the rain, we moved the furniture and the party indoors

Happy banana split eaters 

Festive Hawaiian garb 

Some came already dressed for the party, and for those who wanted a little extra tropical flair, we provided leis, hair clips, and various items for a photo booth opportunity.

I love being a team with my brother and sister-in-law who grilled shisk-kabobs for us.

Our "Polynesian" menu:

Fresh fruit: pineapple, mangos, kiwis, grapes, blueberries, cherries, watermelon, oranges

Strawberries and cream cheese dip

Shrimp and chicken kabobs

Pineapple polynesian rice

Shrimp cocktail

Tuna Pasta Salad (made with shell-shaped pasta)

Veggie Tray

Cole slaw

Marinated vegetable salad

Hawaiian rolls

Barbecue sliders

Hawaiian punch, Teas, Lemonade, Water, Coffees

Banana Splits

Cupcakes, Nutter Butter Flip Flops, and Coconut Chews

The kids enjoyed helping add ambiance by being walking decorations.

They helped make Nutter Butters look like flip-flops and decorated beach themed cupcakes.

It was a sweet time for all.