Back to School

When Lilly was a toddler and starting school for the first time, I threw a Ready 4 School play date. I went for it and still love some of the photos and ideas till this day. But rulers for 2-year-olds? Maybe a bit much. When it came time for Oliver’s celebration, I decided to scale back. Way back, which is telling of my life now versus then. 1 kid instead of 2, fairly rested, younger, tiny apartment to take care of, blogging as a hobby… Now things are much more chaotic and so while I’m no less passionate about my planning, I try to be a little more chill. My husband and friends will likely argue that I’ve still not achieved that. But compare that party to this one and you’ll side with me. 😉

I’m often inspired by one item to plan a party around. In this case, it was these tiny backpack keychains. I can’t handle the cuteness.

Not to gender stereotype, but I’ve found that my son and his friends are less into crafting and more into chasing, throwing and tackling at play dates. So instead of focusing on art at the play date, I sent some items home for them to do during a calmer moment with their mom. Each kiddo was gifted with a alphabet bin, wooden school bus to paint (or not), a blank page book and DIY letter and number crayons (made from crushed up cheap crayons, baked in silicone molds and tied up in cellophane bags), crayon bandages (you know, to use after the tackling at our house) and their personalized (with stickers) backpack key chain. Will they use them as key chains? Of course not. But a place to stash some of their hoarder status trinkets? Yes. Lilly claimed one too and it’s now become a backpack for her dolls. Multi use. The options are endless!

And that’s it. No buffet of school supplies, themed treats, custom notepads, jumbo crayons or stamps and paint just steps from our white couch. Not only have I gotten older, I’m wiser. 8 years of parenthood under your belt will do that to you. Regardless the scale, we still had fun!