Too Cool for School!

My daughter, Anabelle, started Kindergarten today!!! You might recall the "I Hope You Dance" party I posted a couple of weeks ago, capturing my wishes for her to take chances, have fun and dance throughout the many adventures life has to offer. Today's adventure began with waking up from a good night's sleep, getting dressed and eating a breakfast of champions... well, actually it was Cheerios! Though she is not usually an "early to bed" kind of gal, the fun-filled Back to School weekend we just had tired her out! We dedicated the last few days of Summer vacation to preparing and having fun, including shopping for supplies, camping out in our living room and watching "Barbie: A Mermaid Tale 2", of course. To build excitement for the new addition of school uniforms, we also had a "RULE THE SCHOOL" photo shoot and fashion show!

I collected items from the various shops where we purchased her uniform clothes and accessories and put together "looks" that comprised the Fall 2012 Kindergarten Collection in our fashion House of Petite Cakes! I utilized the same chalkboard background from my "Growing up 80's" party, along with props from Anabelle's "No Toy Gets Left Behind" celebration to set up the shoot. With school graphics from Maree Truelove, I made an invite that I attached to a metal lunch box. I also purchased some ribbons in her school colors and made some hair bows to match her uniform. We blasted music, struck many poses and did exactly what girls just wanna do! ♥

Along with the graphics from Maree Truelove, I utilized additional designs from Cupcake Cutiees to create little love notes to include in my daughter's lunches!

And finally, instead of showing up with some regular apples to gift our new Kindergarten teachers, we glittered some up and expressed our excitement to be starting a SPARKLING new school year!

From witnessing her take her first steps to now watching her walk into her Kindergarten class for the first time, these are moments I will cherish and remember forever. So, might as well do it with style, with some sparkle and shine, and always ready to dance. ♥

I Hope You Dance

Since the moment my daughter, Anabelle, was born, the song "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack has held a special place in my heart {and in her baby book!}. The lyrics encompass my dreams for her life as she grows up and my hopes that she will live life to the fullest, regardless of the hardships or road blocks she may encounter. I want her to take chances and strive for happiness, as I am with my current venture, and I could and would not be doing so without the encouragement of my loving parents and family. My mother is an endless fountain of support and while crafting is not a gene I got from her, she will always be at my side, cutting and gluing her heart away. My father got me my first Wilton decorating tips and has always encouraged me to "have fun" throughout my life, whether I was heading out to take a test, going to a party or leaving for college, and I will never forget that. I recall a conversation we had where, as he reminisced over the good old days, he mentioned one of his few regrets was not having danced more. As Anabelle prepares to start kindergarten in a couple of weeks, I wanted to commemorate the first of many milestones with a celebration that would not only excite her for the embarkation of her new adventure, but also inspire her with the confidence that her own parents will always support her with the constant hope that I pray she will never forget: to dance.

I was thrilled when the party debuted in the Fall 2012 issue of Bird's Party Magazine and it was Bird's Party herself that created the stunning graphics and printables and brought my vision to life so beautifully! I wanted a soft, romantic feel, with an infusion of natural and musical aspects, along with a touch of sparkle! The beach setting was chosen to play upon the lyric "I hope you still feel small beside the ocean", symbolizing the humility and gratitude I hope she maintains, as she follows her dreams. The desserts were simple and represented the overall theme or specific lyrics in the song. A small notebook was set aside in which hopes and wishes for Anabelle could be written and glittered cones with edible favors were set aside to be taken home.

I have conflicting feelings as my baby girl heads off to kindergarten, with which I am sure many parents can relate: excitement, fear, happiness, sadness... and though there will be countless events to come that will cause the same and even deeper emotions, my wish will always be the same...

I Hope You Dance

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance... I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance... I hope you dance."

~performed by Lee Ann Womack and 

written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers