Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Party

The Great Pumpkin

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As Diana mentioned in a blog post from earlier, Jamie and I share a birthday today! I can’t think of a better way to spend my Hallo-birthday than by throwing a party for Jamie and the rest of the Cle Elum Seven!

We have a lot of folks to thank for making today’s party a huge success. Robbi & Dick Brown and Tamela donated a lot of fun new toys and decorations, and volunteers Steph and Katelyn brought some new things with them today as well. We also want to thank Deborah G., Barbara B., Jessica K., Tamela, and Jeani G. for donating towards Jamie’s big celebration today! And of course we can’t forget all of Jamie’s Chimpanzee Pals: Cherie Breaux & Robert Bochnik; Kathy Carlson; Candy Crannell; GFWC Cascade Woman’s Club; Debbie Kray; Pam Lehnert & Marc Warner; KC McCarthy; Jackie Mulanax & Brad McNeice; Debra Redwine; Pam Reid; Kathleen Roan; Tony Silvia; Nicole Sturn; and Jackson Walkden-Brown.

Steph and Katelyn brought with them a giant pumpkin, with Jamie’s named carved in it (and the “J” was made into a boot!) The following photos are of the Great Pumpkin (as I’ve decided to call it).

 

Jamie with her pumpkin:

 

Jody was the first to dig in:

 

Negra joined in:

 

Missy asking Jody if she can share, Jody giving her a reassuring kiss:

 

Jody and Foxie (Missy in the background):

 

At one point Burrito was working on the pumpkin all by himself:

 

So much happened today that I’m pretty sure there will be more Hallo-birthday photos and videos posted tomorrow!

 

Foxie’s 35th birthday video

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As promised, here’s some video from yesterday’s celebration:

Thanks to everyone who donated trolls and made this troll bonanza possible!

“Diane and Syd Marcus are awesome” Party

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Diane and Syd Marcus sent us some fabulous goodies for Jody’s Birthday Party, but unfortunately we didn’t get them until after the big day. As a compromise, today we held a “Diane and Syd are awesome” Party. Let me explain:

Diane and Syd frequently send the chimps goodies and each time there is one hand-picked and individually wrapped thing for each chimp, along with a note to whom it belongs to. Among the gifts this time– a stuffed animal for Jody, a popper toy for Burrito, a silky scarf for Annie, a toolbox for Jamie, socks and a beaded necklace for Missy, a troll doll for Foxie, and both Foxie and Negra got something extra special– several months ago, Diane and Syd sent a monogrammed Winnie the Pooh blanket for Negra. It was adorable and Negra actually seems to like it! This time, Diane and Syd had a king sized blanket monogrammed for her! They also sent a small monogrammed blanket for Foxie. Here’s their note to Foxie:

Darling Foxie,
We were overjoyed to see you reaching for blankets. You are not only a troll collectrice extraordinaire, but also a nest maker par excellence. And a beautiful peacekeeper. What a girl!!

We chose this blanket because it is a girlie girl blanket- which is what you are. Red and pink are your colors. Snuggle with it when you wish– you can do a few lovely flips.

Of course, we have also enclosed something else. No present to you would be complete without one.

You are a very special and lovely girl.

We are so fortunate to have such lovely supporters like Diane and Syd Marcus who light up the chimps’ day. The party was excellent, as always!

First, a video:

Negra was super happy about the rice cakes Diane and Syd sent:

They also sent some blueberry tea, which was a big hit. Here’s Missy enjoying a glass:

Jody checking out the beaded necklaces:

Jamie and her tools:

A super relaxed, post-party Burrito:

Thanks so much to Diane and Syd for the lovely gifts, and for all of you who send such wonderful enrichment for the chimps!

Cinco de Mayo Party

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The ladies at the Tacoma chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs sure know how to help us put on a party! As mentioned in the post earlier today, they sponsored today and sent us enrichment for a Cinco de Mayo party. And a party we had!

Along with some beach/summer-themed enrichment, the ladies sent us a Safeway gift card so that we could get some yummy produce for the party. So, on the Mexicali menu was tortillas, avocados, tomatoes, cabbage, and leeks (a chimp favorite!). In addition, we juiced some limes and added Key Lime Sparkling Water for our own version of virgin margaritas, poured into tiny plastic shot glasses, of course.

The margaritas smelled just like the real thing! In my opinion, they tasted WAY too tart, but the chimps loved them!! Here’s Jamie going for as many “shots” as possible:

And Annie, relaxing with the last drop of hers:

The tortillas were a big hit, too. I unfortunately didn’t get any photos of her, but bread-loving Negra was SO excited!

Jody:

Missy:

The ladies sent lots of festive beach bags and towels. We added a few beach appropriate things to the bags to fit the theme, such as magazines, combs (for when your hair gets messy after swimming), mirrors, hair clips, plastic shovels for the kids, an extra pair of sandals, etc…

Here’s Missy checking one out:

And how could this possibly be a real party if Foxie didn’t get some new trolls:


Thanks so much, ladies!! We’ve had a great day– and it’s not over! On tonight’s menu is beans and rice with corn on the cob! YUM!

A Royal Party

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I promised generous friends and family who gave through my Facebook birthday wish that I would throw a party for the chimpanzees today on my birthday. Thanks to Derek, Stephanie M., Jessica, Anika, Jen, David, Audrey, Linda, Donna, Laura, Stephanie P., Susan & Jack, Ryan, Gay & Mike, Kathy, Anna, Suzanne, Margaret & Karen and big thanks to Bruce and Deborah for helping me surpass my birthday wish goal!

We thought it would be fun to make the party a British high tea since William and Kate’s wedding was just yesterday.

We made some fancy food, put out some crazy hats, and let the chimps enjoy.

In case you’re wondering about the cake, I modified this recipe for raw birthday cake. I believe the video shows that the chimps approved. Burrito and Missy also enjoyed the cake, but they were off camera when I filmed. Debbie was serving at the barn doors to entice the chimps into the playroom so I could close off the greenhouse and volunteer Erin and I could set up the rest of the party.

The sandwiches were Erin’s creation: lettuce and English cucumbers with a layer of mashed bananas between slices of apple.

Happy High Tea, everyone!

After the party, Burrito kicked back with a macadamia nut

Burrito with macadamia nut

 

Happy Halloween!

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From new boots to pomegranates; from pears, apples, and green onions, to grapes, oranges, and pineapple coconut juice; from pinatas to new troll dolls; yesterday may have been the most exciting party at CSNW to date. The food squeaks lasted for at least 30 minutes! It was quite a day!

In addition to the video, I thought I would post a couple of my personal favorite pictures from the party– but FYI, they aren’t the ones saved for $33 donations in honor of Jamie’s day! Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

A spooky Mr. Burrito: