Parent Notepads - Just in Case

I am so excited to offer these new Parent Notepads! The idea has been in the back of my mind forever. I always wish I had something like this when I dropped my kids off at camp, play dates, birthday parties etc. They a great for school notes too if you are already preparing for your kids to go back to school.

 I used them last week when my kids were going to friend's houses for play dates. It was so easy to tear off a sheet and ensure the parents knew who to call "in case of emergency" or just a question. If your kids have allergies, this is a great way to ensure that special notes are properly communicated.

 2 notepad of 50 sheets each are $32.00.  Pads measure 4.25 by 6 inches.

"Best Back to School Party Ever"- Revealed!

Our Back to School Party was a huge success. I heard from one little girl as she was leaving say "Best Party Ever!". Mission Accomplished!

The Bell Has Run, Don't Be Late, School Has Started, Let's Celebrate! Fine invitations always set the stage for a great party your friends won't want to miss. We used Hampton Paper correspondence cards printed vertically for the invitations and you can too!

I set up a supplies table for the kids so they could get all the staples they need for school!

I used the school bus, pen & pencils and pencils images pulling in these colors for the theme.

I found these baskets at Michael's and they were great to showcase and display the items.

Colored Pencils and and Colored Markers anchored each side of the table. The labels are HPD large and I added a yellow ribbon.

I was thrilled to find these composition notebooks in yellow/gold. They matched perfectly. I used a large sticker to cover the wording. My boys have been using them to write stories about what happens at school each day. (very insightful!)

Nothing says Back to School more than a #2 pencil...

and a pink pearl eraser! I purchased these jars at Michael's' and created the label with HPD large square solid stickers.

I know ipads and e-readers are all the rage but I for one still love holding a book and I think most kids do too! I hope these bookmarks encourage them to read a bit more. They had 3 options to choose from, Bus, Pen & Pencil or Pencils.

I wrapped a bunch of books with brown paper from Michael's. It was a nice way to give both tables height and worked easily into my theme. I was able to draw on my many years of experience wrapping my text books with brown paper bags - I recall it was the only option in the 80s.

Love the gold tassels on this one!

These large gable boxes were the perfect size to hold the kid's supplies.

The Host, Thomas.

Thomas with his supply box.

Lily loads her supplies....

I had to include this photo since Lily is sporting from head to toe the much coveted Missoni line from Target.

Thomas, Jackson and I greet our guests at the door. I printed "Welcome Students" and "Please Come In!" on glossy lined school sentence paper from Staples. Just like the invitations, I wanted guests to know as soon as they arrive they are in for a special treat!

I created a pathway with ABC Cards also from Staples. Follow the ABC's to the best Back to School Party ever!

Framed Print of the School Bus created a great centerpiece on our candy table.

Jackson holds the Hershey bar from the candy table with great patience. It was opened seconds after the photo!

I used Chinese to go containers for the candy bar. I printed the kids names on a small square solid sticker so there wasn't any confusion on who's was who's. HPD will now be offering the containers and stickers as a set so you can purchase both from one place.

Ta Da! The colors and them came together beautifully on this candy table. We featured Twizzlers and Sweedish Fish, Starbursts, M&Ms, Skittles, Lollipops and Hershey's Bars and Kisses.

Lollipops are a must for my candy tables. I have a reputation to live up to! These are from Hammond's Candies.

I had 3 jars of Hershey's Kisses (almost 7.5 lbs yikes). I used a 3 inch round punch to create orange background from scrapbook paper and then added HPD Large Round Stickers and ribbon to make the labels.

Close up of the Kisses with the stickers. I used the pencils, pen & pencil and school bus kiss stickers. (yes, this took forever to do!)

It took two of the gigantic M&M bags to create this jar with only red, yellow and orange. Note to self to create a party theme with all the colors next time!

Skittles. Ditto on the sorting- there was a lot of discarded purple and green!

These were the first to go.

Twizzlers are always a big hit.

Sweedish Fish - My fav.

I had so much fun planning this amazing party. My goal was for the kids and parents to have an opportunity to meet and get to know eachother at the beginning of the year and I think we succeeded!

The kids played Legos, worked on a fun "about me " project and watched a movie.

I spent well over a month planning this party and it was worth it. I will detail out for you next week how to make the candy and supply tables. I know it looks like I spent a fortune, but between you and me, I really didnt!

Vendor Supply List

Photography

James Woo Photography

Hampton Paper Designs

Invitations 24 for $40.00

Sq Solid Personalized Stickers and Chinese To Go Containers 27 for $38.00

Kiss Stickers 1 sheet/ 108 stickers 12.00 (each add'l sheet $6.00)

Round Stickers (for candy table) 24 for $18.00

Large Framed Prints $60.00

Large Sq Stickers on Supply Table 18 for $18.00

Small Sq Stickers on Supply Table 27 for $18.00

Hershey Bars and Wrappers 25 for $75.00 (personalized wrappers 25 for $31.25)

Bookmarks with Tassels $2.50 each (can be personalized at no add'l charge)

Lollipop Stickers Medium Round 30 for $12.00

Target

School Supplies

Candy Jars

Candy for Candy Table

Hammonds Candies

Lollipops

Michael's

Baskets

Glass Containers on Supply Table

Brown Paper on Books

Joanne Fabric

Table Cloths

Fabric Back Drops

Ribbon

Staples

Learning Line Sentences

ABC Cards

The Devil is in the Details- T -1

Not quite sure why I still have so much left to do. My list keeps growing instead of shrinking.

Greg wanted to know if I wanted to change prior to this photo. (perhaps he doesn't like my new Jcrew weekend wear?)

Bows around the scoops. It just has to have one!

Sticking name tags on the goodie boxes for the school supplies.

Stickers for the Candy Boxes.

If I was 8, I would be thrilled to enter a party and see my name on a big favor box! Need to run to Michael's for more ribbon. This sea foam green paint (which was there when I moved it) clashes with my party colors, do you think there is time to paint?

Yippee, Target replenished some school supplies and finally there was enough Elmer's glue ( I need atleast 25 bottles). What says back to school more than glue and pencils? I had to have it. Seriously I think I was the only person there that wasnt after the Missioni clothes but believe me I snatched up this glue with similar enthusiasm!

And Then....It All Comes Together

Would it surprise you to hear I had more than a few sleepless nights thinking about my Back to School Party? I knew I had the basics covered but it just wasn't quite coming together right. Fortunately, this morning I came up with a good idea that I think will pull everything together....perfectly! I thought to use these wood baskets to hold the items on the supply table.

I shared this idea with my husband, Greg, and he just didn't seem to have the same level of excitement. Help me out here..I know some of you ladies can relate to the excitement of finding something so right for your party! Greg responded that he didnt understand why we couldn't just lay the items on the table. Ummmm, I don't know where to begin on that one! It makes me think of Rodger from The Rachel Zoe Project and when he cant understand Rachel's obsession with a particular dress. When you get your mind set on something, nothing else will suffice!

I found these baskets at Michael's today. Perfect to hold the pencils, markers and crayons on the supply table. I need to add a sticker on the front on top of the ribbon.

Yay! They fit perfectly!

Love this fabric for the backdrop of the candytable. Its from Joanne's fabric. Did you see it on One Kings Lane yesterday too? Also thinking burlap for some reason might be great and go with the theme.

These jars I purchased at Michael's are great to display the bookmarks. A ribbon and a sticker will make these glass jars pop!

I found these at Staples today. I am going to write the kids names on them and arrange them around the front door. Wont the kids love seeing their names when they arrive? What a warm welcome. (These are actually sentence strips that I cut down to size in case you go to look for them. They are located by the teacher supplies)

I found these alphabet cards at Staples that I plan to use as a walk way guide to the party from the front door. They go so perfectly with the theme.

Back to School - Lunch Box Notes

Hampton Paper Lunch Box notes are the perfect way make your child's lunch more special. Wish them good luck on a test or at a sporting event or just let them know you are thinking of them! It will surely be something they will remember for years to come!

150 sheets of 4 x 4 notepad paper in an acrylic tray for $26.00. As always, any image is available. Available today on Etsy




The truck is Jackson's favorite new image. He was thrilled when there was an actual dump truck in the back yard when the pool was built. Ohhh to seek joy in such small things!

Clearly the bus is my new fav image. I cant get enough if its charm!

I re-wrote this like 5 times. I have the worst handwriting. It makes me cringe!

Here are a few image and wording ideas. Fonts are 1. Rockford 2. Burst My Bubble 3. Carlton and 4. Topeka.