Cousin's Back to School Party 2012

I have been celebrating back to school with my grandchildren for quite a few years now.

Back to School Party 2011

Back to School Party 2010

Back to School Party 2009

Back to School Party 2008

My back-to-schoolers this year are in grades 

7th, 6th, 4th, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 1st, kindergarten, and pre-school.

That is nine out of ten of my little pearls!

So, what makes a back to school party with 

Grandma, Papa and the cousins?

The party plans can be as simple or as extravagant as you like but

regardless of how much money or time I put into them 

our time together and the lasting memories we share

are a priceless treasure to us all.

It is a tradition that my grands DO NOT allow

me to forget!

For me the party always begins with pre-arranging a date 

that works with all of the parents.

Party invitations are hand delivered a few days ahead of time.

This year's theme was Party Bus!

The invites had a bus schedule on them for the time

of pick up and the afternoon drop off time for each child.

Papa and I decorated our "bus" to add to the fun.

(Special thanks to my daughter and son-in-law for loaning us their eight passenger car.)

We decorated the windows and we tied long strands of brightly 

colored curling ribbon to the side mirrors

to add a festive touch as we whipped and fluttered through the streets.

Once everyone was picked up and buckled up it was party time.

The "bus" was filled with chatter between the very  

excited back-to-school cousins.

First stop included personalized lunch orders

and icy sweet  Eegee's slushes!

There was sampling bites shared, laughter, conversations,

and lots of attention from the other customers.

One set of grandparents who's only grandchild

lives several hours away couldn't believe that this

party group of five only represented half of my grandchildren.

They also commented on how well behaved they were.

Grandma was proud!

They were all wearing matching name tags

around their necks with their new grade.

I made the name tags

to help create a little extra special cousin unity.

Once everyone was done eating and washed up

it was time to load back into our party bus and head to our next stop.

Instead of putting together party gifts bags as usual

we treated the kids to a shopping spree at one of

their favorite stores!

They all LOVE going to Dollar Tree.

Every single row was checked out and a whole

lotta' very selective and time consuming decisions were made.

The rule for the kids was that we all had to stay together.

They did a great job following the rule.

Papa and I had the rule to not rush their decisions.

We succeeded too!

After over an hour of very active shopping it was time to check out.

Everyone was thrilled with their

gadgets, goodies, and toys.

Our party bus then headed to Wendy's

for a round of chocolate Frosty's and seven cups of water

for the ride home.

We had a really cool bus driver!

(Thanks Papa)

Without rushing any part of our time together

we were able to keep the party bus on schedule

for our afternoon drop offs.

I use the word lucky a lot about being a grandma

but the truth is that I am just 

very blessed and very, very grateful.

I can't wait until next time....