Jennifer

The following words came right from Sarah of Real Life Blog’s “Well, the first National Mom’s Night Out, the Boone location, was a HUGE success!”

We had 120 moms there, along with pampering specialists with make-up, massages, fitness and such great entertainment! You know when I first emailed with Maria Bailey about National Moms Nite Out, I never knew it would be this huge for Boone, NC. I immediately grabbed up Sarah to help me with this event. The weird part was, I never even worked with Sarah before. We live in the same town and I didn’t even know it until a few months ago. I was reading her blog with my little M and she noticed a picture of Sarah’s little girl. She said mommy “I go to school with her, she is my friend.” I was like what??? So, of course I emailed Sarah and sure enough their classes are right beside each other. Such a small world. We have really became fast friends and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

The planning of this event was so fun and I know this is only the beginning of great things you will see from us both. Sarah is definitely a true gem! I just want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Sarah so much for teaming up with me. We rocked Boone, NC girl and to hear the great wonderful feedback from the moms on our first event. I just cannot stop smiling from ear to ear. Love ya girl.

I also want to publicly thank my best friend Cindy for all her hard work in helping us set-up for this great event. We appreciated it so much. We have got her on this blogging roller coaster now and I think she is really addicted to it, just as we are!

And this night would never have happened without Maria Bailey, www.momTV.com and www.newbaby.com. She is always coming up with spectacular ideas to bring moms together and have a LOT of fun!

Julie Maloney, who blogs at www.momspective.com and www.wiimommies.com drove all the way from Charlotte to bring the brand new EA SPORTS Active virtual fitness program for us to try! She is one of 12 people in the country who has a copy right now, for a 30-Day Challenge, before it is released on May 19!

We also could not have pulled off the National MNO without the staff at the Broyhill Inn! Doug and Laura reigned in Jen’s and my wild ideas and helped us focus in and deal with the details. (details, schmetails) And Bob accomodated all our tech needs, with a simulcast, projecting it on the big screen, another huge screen with the EA SPORTS Active for the Wii, and so much more!

photo ©2009 Maggie Farrington

We had two great performances at the party. The Appalachian Rhythm Cloggers gave us a great show, with dancers of all ages, and led the crowd in a dance as well. And Laura and Doug Kaufman played their incredible music. Laura has such a sweet voice and an even sweeter heart. Check out her music, including her soothing Lullabies CD at her website.

The kids areas were essential to having all the guests there! We didn’t want to leave out those moms who didn’t have a babysitter, so High Country Mommies provided homemade Playdough and Coloring for the kids room, and Appalachian Party Rentals brought a bounce house to help expend some energy! Thanks so much!

Maggie Farrington took some great photos of the night, which are on Facebook here. Visit her website to see all of her fab photography ~ she really has a way of capturing children!

Here is a video montage I put together of the night:

Please visit all our generous sponsors who really want to reach out to moms and let us know they appreciate us!

Door Prize Offerings:

• Broyhill Inn
• Hayes Performing Arts Center/ Blowing Rock Stage Company
• Appalachian Therapeutic Bodyworks (new location at Shoppes at Shadowline)
• Suddenly Showing
• Grandfather Mountain
• Makoto
• Wellness Center
• Harmony Center for Women’s Health and Vitality
• One Step Ahead
• River Girl Fishing Company
• Maria Bailey, The Ultimate Mom book
• Creative Labs VADO Pocket Video Camera
• Lowe’s Foods
• Mast Farm Inn
• Precious Moments
• Game Stop, Boone
• EA SPORTS Active
• Mary Kay and Jennifer Hendricks’ consultant team

Swag Bags:

• Little Debbie
• The Pork Store ( I promise they committed prior to the H1N1 virus! Not a pr move! lol!)
• Earthfare
• Harris Teeter
• Food Lion
• Carolina Pad fashionable stationery
• SmartMom Solutions
• Dropps Laundry Detergent
• Upspring Baby

Here’s to 2010 Sarah! I can’t wait 🙂

NC/SC Bloggers, stay tuned for other great events that Sarah and I are going to have coming up. I will keep you posted.