Pumpkin Play

Today we moved the Pre K classroom outside so that we could explore the inside of a pumpkin.

First, I passed the pumpkin around so that they could feel it. 

We described the pumpkin. They said that it was orange and hard. 

Next, we cut the pumpkin in half. They felt the insides and described them mainly as gross. 

Next we separated out the seeds from the pumpkin and sent them to the kitchen to be washed and roasted.

While waiting for our roasted seeds we worked on a craft project - What's Inside a Pumpkin. We used a template from http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/fall/inside-pumpkin-craft.asp I had prepared by cutting the pumpkins from felt the night before. The kids glued in the pumpkin parts and seeds. We ended our Pumpkin day by reciting "The 5 Little Pumpkins" with a print out found here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Five-Little-Pumpkins-Pocket-Chart-FREE

A Witches Tea Party

 My friends and I get together every few months for a tea party. 

It was my turn and close to Halloween so I decided to throw a Witches Tea.

I bought several witch hats from our local dirt cheap for 2$ each 

and hung them on the wall as decoration. 

Most of the other decorations came from the dollar tree. 

I made a witch falling through the ceiling that I had found on 

pinterest and most of my menu ideas came from pinterest as well.

I served pumpkin scones followed by 

a corn and pumpkin bisque served with pumpkin cornbread muffins.

For dessert I served pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting and 

caramel cinnamon apple muffins.

I served a pumpkin spice red tea and pumpkin spice sweet iced tea.

For party favors, each guest went home with a 

candy covered marshmallow pop and a creepy coffee mug.

We ended the night with a bonfire outside and a cup of pumpkin spice coffee. 

Our New Room

Today I finished setting up the new room. I am now on the hunt for a preschool table and chair set. I can't wait till Tuesday for our first day in the new room.

Getting A New Room

     Last year and for the first two weeks of this year, I have used my sister's dining area for our 2 child pre-k classroom. I am moving the class to my house this week and today was our last day using my sister's house. I have cleaned out a room at my house and can not wait to set up. I had to pin up our posters and pocket chart everyday before and pull out all supplies. I will now have a permanent place for everything. I am so excited. I will post pics of the new room as soon as we are all set up.

Baby Shower

     Baby showers are so much fun to plan. They are so much simpler and girlier than my boys birthday parties. My sister had her second bundle of joy in March. We had the shower at her house and invited a few friends and family. Since her oldest was only 3 she still had a lot of stuff so the party was mainly just to celebrate.

Cake was made by our Aunt.

     I had my husband dig my sisters cradle from when she was a baby out of storage and refinish it. I made her a diaper cake and we called it a party!

Perry The Platypus Birthday Party

     Phineas and Ferb are all the rage in our house and have been for quite a while so it did not surprise me when my oldest monster decided on a Perry The Platypus party for his 11th birthday. Phineas and Ferb party supplies are easy to find. We found all the plates, napkins, cups, and stickers at our local Party City. We used orange lunch sacks with Perry stickers on the front for favor bags and had cupcakes with all of the characters on them.

     We printed a pin the tail on the Perry game from http://family.go.com/printables/article-1019479-pin-the-tail-on-perry-t/ It was a hit.

     We had the Phineas and Ferb soundtrack play and I balloons all over the floor. I told all of the guests as they arrived that when the song "Busted" came on everyone was to stop what they were doing and "bust" the balloons. It happened while the kids were eating pizza and it was so much fun. After that we sang Happy Birthday and had cupcakes and the kids made ice cream sundaes. Over all I think that it turned out well.   

Monster Mash

     When Little Monster turned three back in December, I let him pick out his birthday party theme. His birthday is the day before New Year's Eve and is always overshadowed by Christmas and Fireworks. I wanted it to be exactly what he wanted. We went to Walmart with 50$ and came home with the cutest monster themed party supplies, cake mix, food coloring and 25$. 

We used Hershey kisses on white cupcakes for the eyes!

     We baked the cake and cupcakes at home invited over a few friends and had a great time. The kids all went home with silly straws, glow bracelets and bubbles in their monster themed go bags. Easiest birthday party ever!

Little Monster AKA The Birthday Boy

Cowboys and Pony Rides

     I planned a Cowboy themed birthday party last week for my nephew's 4th birthday. I started with 99 cent cowboy hats and went from there. I love party planning and pinterest has tons of ideas that are crafty and frugal.

     We used a piece of cut burlap as a tablecloth. I borrowed some child sized cowboy boots and western stars from a friend to decorate the table. The rope name sign was made from $5 rope from walmart, a piece of blue burlap and an old cardboard box.

     My sister got a great deal on this barrel tea dispenser, unfortunately it leaked so we just used it as an ice bucket. The adults drank their tea from mason jars while the kids had barrel shaped hugs to drink.

The Birthday Boy

     All of the kids received a cowboy hat and bandana as they arrived. It had started storming outside right as the party began so we ate hot dogs, sang the birthday song, opened presents, and had cupcakes inside. As soon as we handed the kids the cupcakes the rain stopped so we were able to go outside for pony rides.

     Although the rain was a damper, I still think that the party was a success!