Preschool Graduation

Congratulations to Emmett ... Preschool is over!

I like to think that he is a Preschool graduate ... and he is. A three-year-old Preschool Graduate. Next year, he will go to four-year-old Preschool! 

Parents were invited today for ice cream and pictures with the teachers. 

Look at my once shy little Emmett, he was so excited that both Mommy and Daddy came today!

We had ice cream and looked at the progress that Emmett has made through the year in his collection of materials.

According to Emmett's book ... when he grows up, he wants to be "A doctor, a firefighter, a police guy, a lawn mower, a dad ... and help Mommy in the garden."

We adore Ms. Sue. She is the calmest and gentlest, yet firmest, preschool teacher around. We are excited that Ms. Sue will be back next year!

 Goodbye Classroom ...

It is hard to remember that his first day was just a few short months ago ...

http://www.mommyerica.com/2012/09/preschool-anxiety.html

http://www.mommyerica.com/2012/09/preschool-eve.html

Under the Big Top: The Perfect Playlist

I love music.

Life is really like a soundtrack ... isn't it? Music takes me back to a particular place and helps evoke certain feelings and memories.

I can tell you the name of the first "tape" I purchased in grade school, my favorite song that I kept on repeat in 8th grade and the song that was playing when I went to my first Frat party in college. Not to mention the songs that were on the radio when I drove Emmett and Fletcher home from the hospital.

I listen to music to feel energized and I listen to music to calm myself. And quite often, the boys and I will just turn on Sirius Radio to have an impromptu "Dance Party" in the living room when we are the only ones home (because I will only dance in front of my boys, I have no skills ... it is actually quite embarrassing).

So now, maybe you will understand, why selecting The Perfect Playlist is so important for the Circus Party. These will be the songs that I will bottle up in my memory as the backdrop to the day my boys turned 2 and 4.

Keeping on the theme of Circus ... Carnival ... Vintage ... Festival ... Celebration ... I have a few songs selected but need help on a few more.

Carnival Circus March
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Boys 'Round Here - Blake Shelton
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - The Beatles
Sugar, Sugar - The Archies
Circus - Britney Spears
Circus Parade - Yo Gabba Gabba
I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
Carnival Circus March
Only in My Dreams - Debbie Gibson
Twist and Shout, The Beatles
Walking On a Dream, Empire of the Sun
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong


Help me ... what song takes you to the "Circus"?

Under the Big Top: Weekend Checklist

The countdown is on. 

It was the last weekend before the Circus comes to Blaine. 

And wow did we get stuff checked off the list!

We started with a nutritious breakfast ... everyone needs to fuel-up before a big day.

We assembled the cupcake Ferris Wheel.

Fletcher and I made another trip for plants and sod. The yard needs to be cleaned up ...

This was maybe the funniest part of the weekend. While filling mulch, I turned around to see what Emmett was doing. Emmett had disappeared and all that remained was this.

I later found him inside getting Swim Trunks. He got hot he said. I wish we could all strip down in the backyard when we got hot.



Decided that would be a good time to find the Duck Pond and fill it up so we could test the motor. We need a motorized pond, obviously, so the ducks can swim around.

We filled one set of Favor Bags. I love these ... little chinese boxes filled with treats with tickets attached to seal. 

 We numbered the ducks ...

And we filled the Piñata ...

We sampled as we filled. 

One week out ...

Under the Big Top: Paint + Games

The packages have been arriving ... 

We have lots of random  red, white and blue circus items filling my art room.

A few projects completed from the week ...

I painted the Paper Mache letters ... these were a great find from Joanne's.

The circus tent was put together ... and continues to grace the living room for entertainment. It takes up a lot of room.
I can't believe that Ikea actually sells Circus tents though. Amazing!

 and we have had to start testing games ... need to make sure they are circus worthy!

Under the Big Top: Popcorn Bar

A Popcorn Bar is one of my favorite ideas for this year's party ... 

Mimicked off of Pinterest of course. 

How cute is this inspiration?

http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/09/tpd-magazine-popcorn-bar/

I have had this Old Fashioned Popcorn Maker for a year or so ... but never used! We took it out of the box and took it on a trial run. 

Is this thing working?

Eagerly awaiting popcorn to fall ... 

I need some help with my toppings though ... 

I found these super cute "shakers" that can hold different flavors. What do you like on your popcorn? 

I have butter ... salt ... cheddar ... what else? 

Cinnamon Sugar?

Kettle Corn?