Back to School Eve

I have some amazing, crafty friends, with amazing, crafty blogs.  They inspire me to do fun, new things with my kids, and I recently came across something I knew I had to do!

My friend Erin's post on Back to School Eve is gorgeous and after reading I couldn't wait for the night before preschool.  This would absolutely become a new Giustino Family tradition.  How fun to have a special night, before the first day of school to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year?

I told Leila a few days before that we'd be having a "Back to School Eve" celebration and that I'd cook whatever she wanted for dinner.  She said "Mexican Food Spaghetti"  Huh?!  I asked if she wanted Mexican food and spaghetti, and she just got annoyed "No, mama - Mexican food spaghetti."  So I asked if it's something she'd had before (no) and what exactly it was.  No answer, just rolling eyes.  Finally she said, "Nevermind, Panda Scout."  (Also known as Panda Express.) 

I decorated our little chalkboard, and we hung streamers from the ceiling.  Leila decorated her chair with streamers, and picked out special plates for us to eat off of.  I got some name tag/place cards to put on the table, just like in Leila's classroom :)

Leila picked out the entire menu:

She wore a special crown (borrowed from Erin via Julie who also borrowed it.  The sisterhood of the traveling crown....)

 then she had a very special dessert:



We talked about the upcoming school year.  What she was excited for (Making new friends and inviting them to her birthday party) and what she was nervous about (Being brave if there's a Spiderman costume in her class.  Long story.)

Back to School Eve was fun for all of us, and a great new tradition that I'm looking forward to continuing!