Your kids have probably been counting down the days until the last day of school/distance education for weeks. The final school bell or the last time they log off their iPad will mark the official start of summer and an excuse (much needed this year) to plan a last day of school party. Our annual last day of school party is always sweet and this year will be even sweeter.
The best part of the party is the fresh supply of summer staples; hula hoops, rubber balls, bubbles, squirt guns and other outdoor toys. I like to set out a tub of these new summer essentials as a centerpiece with a few mini beach balls strung over head.
Summer Menu
The last day of school party food screams summer. I can’t think of any better menu than grilled hot dogs, watermelon and lemonade all served on sunny place settings to kick start the summer season. Adding to the sunny theme are adorable sunshine cupcakes that use candied corn as sunbeams, mini chocolate chips as eyes and tiny rope licorice bits for smiles. All the bright and cheerful decorations called for a shady centerpiece. Enter the cocktail umbrella topiary. Several dozen cocktail umbrellas were stuck into a styrofoam ball and balanced in a bright pink pail on a wooden skewer adding a whimsical touch to the party.
Living in Minnesota means we need to relish the few short months when the warm weather and sunshine abounds. The Last Day of School party is a chance to map out each of the opportunities we’ll take advantage of over the summer months. A simple piece of brown mailing paper is taped to our patio door to serve as a reminder of all the future summer adventures we have planned.
Future Summer Fun
With future plans to look forward to, we spend our first afternoon of summer vacation enjoying outdoor fun. The party concludes as the boys pile bunches of blankets and pillows into an inflatable pool for an outdoor movie.
The beginning of summer vacation will look a little different this year, but it’s still important to mark the end of another academic year and celebrate our success. Students and parents have overcome a mountain of challenges this year and I can’t think of a better way to say, “Great Job!” than a welcome to summer party.
If a full on Welcome Summer: Last Day of School party seems overwhelming to put together, try this paired down Last Day of School: Ice Cream Party. Either way, have a blast ushering our another school year.
Happy Adventures, Rochelle