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Friday, August 19, 2011

Goldilocks and Bryan's Bears {vintage back to school party}

Grace and her preschool classmates are "Bryan's Bears" so I decided a little wordplay was in order. My love for the classics won out and Goldilocks and Bryan's Bears...A Vintage Back-to-School Party was born.This little party started out BIG in my head...inviting the 12 littles in Grace's preschool class for a fun party to celebrate the new school year because life should be celebrated...I think that's going to become my new motto.But our travel plans didn't let that happen (...and I'm all for an impromptu, last minute weekend away!) so we went with Plan B: a small celebration at home to present the little pumpkin with her school supplies and just celebrate the beginning of another fun school year.Don't worry school friends - Mrs. Bryan and I have been talking about this concept all summer and we're putting together something fun for nursery rhyme/classics week in the Fall! Checking things out...Her four-year-old-little-girl-giggles are contagious!We kept the food about as simple as it gets. Chocolate cake + ice cold milk. Two of the little pumpkin's favorite things in the whole wide world.I love making a big fuss of little celebratory moments in my littles' lives so presenting the little pumpkin with her new backpack & napmat was no exception. She was sooooooo excited that her backpack was PINK and "so girly and cute".Armed with her new backpack, she then went on a school supply scavenger hunt throughout our house filling up her cute backpack with all the essentials she will need this upcoming school year. Reading clue #1...her reading has just blossomed this year. We're so proud of you, Grace and amazed at how your reading has just taken off. At the same time, it's bittersweet to see you growing up so fast. *sniff, sniff*ON.THE.HUNT...let the wild rumpus begin!The last clue...my favorite. The scavenger hunt was so much fun for the little pumpkin - we're definitely doing it again next year! I used the cute free printables from Happy Home Fairy - so perfect! If you've never checked out Happy Home Fairy, you're missing out! Check it out!A couple of weeks ago we were talking about school and the little pumpkin told us she wasn't sure she wanted to play with the new kids in her class (6 buddies from last year + 6 new friends). She said, "when they're kind of old friends THEN I'll want to play with them, but I'm going to be shy around them until they're old friends."We took the opportunity to talk about why it's fun to make new friends, why the new kids might be feeling even more nervous than she will be since they don't know anybody, and why it's important to always be kind to everyone and reach out. And so with that inspiration.......our theme for the year became "be kind". I love creating opportunities for the littles to practice kindness. I could go on and on about why I think morals are so important and why I feel character building is probably a parent's second most important job behind teaching your littles all about Jesus and lovin' them with every fiber of your being, but I won't :).....I'll just leave it at "because it does a heart good".So just like last year we filled an extra pack with school supplies to donate to one of the local schools that struggles in this area.I had one last surprise for the little pumpkin...a letter from Twink, the back-to-school fairy! Yes, Twink left Grace a VIP letter and a bottle of Pretty Pink Pumpkin Polish with Jitter Glitter for her little piggies! he he heHere's a close-up if you want to read the poem I *ahem* Twink wrote for the little pumpkin...and no, it doesn't rhyme. 1:30 a.m. the night before is not a good time for rhyming...Most of the grands weren't able to make it due to their work schedule, but Noonie was able to come and she brought Grace some fun school goodies and Hudson some books.Can't wait to celebrate back to school Mother's Day Out with you, Hudson, in a couple of weeks!And just like that, Baby Bear and his family came back from the woods and Baby Bear said, "Who's been sitting in my chair?" "And who's been eating my porridge???"Too BIG, Too little...Just right.And so the story continues...Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear AND "Pumpkinlocks"...Celebrated many more milestones together...And they lived happily ever after. The end.

Resources~
Scavenger Hunt Cards: Happy Home Fairy
School Subway Art: eighteen25
Milk Bottle Chalkboard Labels: Love Party Printable

40 comments:

Nichcole said...

Simply ADORABLE!!!

Amber said...

You absolutely amaze me!!! Every little detail is beyond words. I know Grace is growing up making so mnay precious memories thanks to you! Love G dress! Great job mama & Noonie!

Queen of Good Intentions said...

I adore your ideas!! I love your motto for the year. I picked learn with joy because my littles seem so grumpy about going back to school. We have lots of new this year too. "Be Kind" would have been a better choice for us. Your focus is great!! I LOVE your note reminding us about character building and to look for Jesus!!!!Just what I needed to hear today!! So glad to find your post this morning!!!

The Martys said...

How adorable. I love all the details! I also love the idea of the motto for the year!! What a great idea. I would love to know were you got the printable on the table (about school) and the labels on the milk jars? I am planning a party next week and would like to do the milk jar idea. Grace's dress is simply beautiful.

Amy

Unknown said...

That was to cute...

thanks for sharing.

Jessica said...

Thanks for the sweet comments!

Just updated the post with the info on the free printables! :)

Heather L. said...

I wish I knew when you found the time, and really more importantly - the energy! - to do all you do!!! This is the cutest party. Your kids are truly the luckiest kids in the world to have such a fun, thoughtful and creative mama! Great job, again!!!

The Martys said...

Jessica-

Thanks for leaving the links. I will be using them.

Happy weekend to you and your family. : )

Amy

Teresa said...

Sigh!...Just so beautiful. You really are amazing!

Did Noonie make the backpack that matches the nap mat too?! Amazing!

Happy Home Fairy said...

Good heavens! You are like the most magical mommy ever! It warmed my heart so much to see my Scavenger Hunt cards in the hands of your Happy Buddy! I am so happy that you were able to use them!!! Thank you for sharing the love on your amazing site. :-)

Ashleigh said...

EG was just glancing over my shoulder as I read this post and said "Mommy, that cake is so pretty!" I agree! Great job! love your creativity and admire you more than you know sweet friend!

Theresa said...

Stopping by from Kelly's Korner...beautiful photos. Lately I have been getting more and more into vintage things :-)

The Harville Family said...

Jessica, it more mothers were like you, the world would be a MUCH better place. You are true in you heart, you set a fantastic example each and everyday and you love to the fullest. I hope I am 1/2 the mother to Liam as you are to Grace and Hudson.

Jamie Lynn said...

What a wonderful party! I love your "be kind" motto- hope they have an amazing school year!
Stop by and say Hi!
Jamie
lovelongtime.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I love all the details you put into your party. The special notes and signs are so cute.

I would love for you to link this to my Back to School Traditions link up.

Jessica said...

Thank you all for sharing the love through your comments! So very sweet!

Teresa~ Nope, Noonie said "no way!" to my backpack request - HA! I used this etsy shop and LOVED it!!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/teachermom

Awww...Ash! Tell EG she made my day. Love you too sweet friend!

Tanya~ I know I already sent you a private message, but THANK YOU for making my day! Your sweet comment brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait to see Liam in your arms. I know how you are with your nieces and this is one lucky little guy to have you as his mom! ((Hugs))

Camile said...

Bravo! What a darling and creative celebration of school! Where ever did you find that beautiful backpack? I am searching for one for my daughter that fits her littler personality, and that one is just too cute!!

Jessica said...

Hi, Camile & thank you!

I purchased Grace's backpack from this etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/teachermom

Janna was WONDERFUL to work with and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the backpack she made for Grace. I sent in my own material to match the napmat my mom made Grace. Would definitely recommend Janna's shop! Hope that helps!!
Jessica

Ceci Reyes Blanco said...

What an incredible way to start the school year. These memories will hold them when they are having bad days for like EVER! Thank you for sharing.

I want to ask you where EVERYTHING came from but mainly, the pencil holder (B-E-autiful) and the Bottles with the chalkboard labels... Way 2 Cute!

Jessica said...

Thank you!!

The little coloring pencil holder came from hapa girl boutique (bought on ebay, but she's now on etsy) and the milk bottles were just Starbucks bottles from Target! I just bought one of their ready to go, $3 4-packs (in the drink aisle), scrubbed the label off, and voila! :)

Angel said...

What an adorable celebration! So precious and sweet. I was wondering what's the name of the fabric that you used to make her dress. I just love it! Great Job I am sure she will remember these special moments forever.

Jessica said...

Thanks, Angel! The fabrics were part of the Denise Schmidt's County Fair collection for JoAnns this past summer - love the entire collection!

Angela Alexander said...

Gee whiz!!! I'm amazed and in LOVE with this site and your ideas! Keem 'em coming!!!

Jessica said...

Thanks so much, Angela!!

Rosemary said...

Just discovered your blog! Love the dress you made her :) Where did you find the cute embroidery pattern?
I don't have little girls anymore but i'm dying over your darling ideas!I need granddaughters! ha!

Jessica said...

Hi, Rosemary, and WELCOME!

It's an old Vogart embroidery pattern - I bought it on ebay.

Here's a link to the same pattern:

http://www.patternbee.com/LN295.html

Celeste said...

I stumbled upon your blog & I only follow 1 other , now I have yours to follow as well! What special ideas you have ! Thank you for sharing through a blog, my life has been touched because of it as will my children! ~Celeste

Angel said...

What Pattern did you use to make her dress? I've been looking all over and can't seem to find it. I love this vertical style. It's just so darling :-)

Jessica said...

Awww....Celeste! Thank you!! :)))

Angel~ We didn't use a pattern - sorry :( Just used the bodice from a jumper dress pattern and then for the skirt, we cut vertical strips 4.5" wide x desired length and added a hem.

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