Back To School Eve

Tomorrow is the first day of school for the girls. Megan to First Grade and Molly to Kindergarten! Wyatt starts his first year of preschool in just a few days. All three kids in school. This is a milestone for me as a mother. As well as for the kids. I'm still taking it all in.

So tonight, we had our annual "Back To School Eve" formal family dinner. It has become one of my favorite, Burns Family traditions. I decorate, set the table with our good china, and make a yummy meal. We all dress up (at least us girls do!), drink out of fancy stemware, and talk about the up coming school year. I love that our kids will grow up knowing Matt and I think school is exciting, fun, and something to celebrate! As well as important, respected, and something to celebrate!

A couple years back, I was first inspired to start this tradition by NieNie. (She's quite inspirational, that girl.) One of the things I LOVED about the Nielson's Back To School Eve Dinner, was that they came up with a "family theme" for the upcoming school year. We've done the same ever since.

(Like the wreath I made out of pages from one of my bookclub books?! I followed THIS tutorial. LOVE!)

The bookpage wreath inspired a vintage, antique, cream and white theme to the rest of the decorations I made. I've been wanting to try making tissue poms for since...EVER! And a post this past week on AndersRuff inspired the fabric garlands. How FAB are these decorations? I love them all!! Total cost = $8.98. The garland was made out of a sheet set I got at the Goodwill for $4.99. The tissue poms were made out of a jumbo pack of white tissue from KMart that cost $3.99. I think this is the definition of BANG for your BUCK.

Last Back To School Eve, I made Megan and Molly's crowns out of paper. So this year I decided to make them out of felt. It was fun making a "boy" version too! Last time he was too little...and he wasn't going to school yet!

When I was at the Goodwill, thrifting for sheets and lampshade frames (that's a whole 'nother party coming up!) I came across several odd candlesticks. I grabbed them up and used a can of RustOleum Antique White to make them all uniform. I love how they give height and character to the ordinary votive candles on our table.

Dinner was Grilled Flank Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Mesclun Salad, Herbed Biscuits, and Corn on the Cob. Cause it's still Summer. And Summer is all about Corn on the Cob!

And we had a blast eating it! Seriously. Good food makes everything okay.

Hence why I run. I miss you KimmyD!

We went around the table talking about what each kid was excited about, worried about, and curious about concerning the upcoming school year. We also talked about ways the kids thought they could "Stick With It!"

Megan and Molly are excited for Daisies, the school play, walking to school, and lunch recess TOGETHER!

Wyatt is excited to ride bikes and play with his friend, Owen, at school.

Dessert was Cupcake Cake!

My girlfriend Libby gave me this awesome cake pan for Christmas last year, and this was the first time I used it. The kids LOVED it! It turned out so cute. Thanks, Libby!

At the end of the night, as we cleared the table and went inside to plan outfits and lunches for the next morn...I couldn't help but snap a few more pics as it got dark and the candles really began to cast a glow.

It was a beautiful evening, fun filled family time, and a wonderful way to say Goodbye to Summer!