Have you been on the search for the perfect kids’ birthday party activity but have no idea what it is or where to start? This is where Make to Celebrate comes in. Last year for Zelda’s Lisa Frank Beach Bash we knew we wanted to do some type of DIY but had no idea what to do. (And honestly, I didn’t want to be in charge of setting it up.) Thankfully, I found Kate from Make to Celebrate and she did all the legwork for me – including thinking of the idea. At the beach bash she had the kids make Glitter Dream Wish Bottles. They all loved it because they got to play and make a mess with glitter, beads and water. You know, all those things that terrify you as a parent because you dread the clean up. Guess what? There is no clean up because Kate takes care of it all!
We knew we had to have her back for ZELCHELLA this year and without fail she came up with another stellar activity for the kids. They made Dream Catcher Necklaces and have continued to wear them outside of the party because they are so cool. I absolutely love this because with Make to Celebrate you don’t have to worry about putting together a treat bag for the kids to take home at the end of the party. They get to leave with a super dreamy Make to Celebrate takeaway. If you’re in search for the perfect activity and you want to wow the kids (and even the parents), look no further because Kate is your girl.
Zelda’s Third Birthday
Zelda’s Fried Zoe Wearing Her Dream Catcher Necklace on the First Day of School
Zelda’s Second Birthday Party
Katie @ Live Half Full
Good for you with sticking with your gut, Mama!
Jessica DeWitt
We faced this same issue with deciding on when to send London to kindergarten. We went against the grain but we did so on the basis of research and instinct. Instead we held off on kindergarten and sent him to pre-k first. His birthday is in Sept so after the cut-off but his biological mother wanted to send him early if testing proved he was “ready.” I felt the same as you, he wasnt ready for the structure of the classroom. His only experience in a “classroom” was 1 hour a week in a sunday school class. Another factor we considered was that he is a boy and boys mature slower than girls so did we really want to send him early knowing the issues he might face in the later years of school. Lastly, we felt like him not being prepared for the structure of the class my lead towards increase discipline for him in the class….that is just a snowball waiting to happen and we didnt want him thinking school was bad or that he was a “trouble-maker” kid when in fact he just wasnt old enough to be in the environment he was in. In the end, the right decision was made. London is excelling in school, loves school and is a natural leader amongst his peers! I am so thankful the decision was made as it was!!!
Deanna
We started our daughter with preschool at age 4. I think that is the perfect age to be honest. In many parts of the world 4,5 is really when kids are starting school. Prince George and Princess Kate’s son started school for the first time by the way and he is four! There is so many activities you can do with kids in Chicago! I’m an 80s kid and back in the day no one was even sending their kids to preschool and lot of us turned out fine. Wait until you have to decide where she should go to elementary school-it’s even more nerve racking than preschool I would say! ? I think you made the right choice! They will be in school forever don’t forget!
Corri McFadden
Thank you! I am an 80’s babe too and I feel like we just ran around playing flashlight tag, camping in the back yard and eating mud pies! LOL. For us 4 feels like the perfect age, she has already started talking about “Going to school next year” so I think when the time comes she is going to be super excited and ready! Thanks or sharing and reading. XO
Kelli
I saw somewhere a few weeks ago that you made the decision to not send Zelda to preschool. I have to admit I was dying to know your reasons. I have gone through this pregnancy and mama journey with you, as my daughter’s birthday is July 16th. It’s funny, you were originally due before me, but Sawyer was a preemie and decided to join us a little early. Anyway, Sawyer has been in a family daycare since she was 8 months old. Both her father and I work, and so we chose this route. Luckily it was family friends who ended up being responsible for her daily care and it wasn’t all day every day. Fast forward to present day, Sawyer started pre-k 3 two days ago at our local elementary school. I also wanted to make sure that when she started she was able to communicate her day to me. I was a nervous wreck because I don’t know her teachers personally and I wanted to be able to have her communicate to me about her day. Sawyer has always been very verbal and able to speak very well for her age. She was however delayed developmentally when it came to crawling, walking, etc. She will be receiving services for physical therapy at her pre- school, and I few we made the right choice for her. That all being said, I commend you for doing such extensive research on this topic, and only wish I can be a thorough as you have been. There are many children who are starting “pre- school” at a very young age, and its most likely day care as you suspected. Sawyer has come home the past two days exhausted (even with nap time), and I know it’s because she is learning so much more hen she ever has! That’s the biggest difference between pre school and daycare. You’re doing an awesome job and Zelda is an absolutely adorable child!! Xx PS…we received the package from Zelda’s Closet and love everything!!
Corri McFadden
I love that our babes were born at the same time and really appreciate you following along our journey. I had no idea that they started pre-k at 3. I would love to hear more about how she is doing throughout the year! Also please be sure to share pics when Sawyer rocks her Zelda’s Closet pieces! XO
Mica
We started preschool this year for my 3 yr old with a January birthday. I could have stared her mid school year (rolling enrollment) but we chose to wait. Today, my Pre-school teacher tells me that my daughter is one of the more self confident and secure students in his class. In addition, we are attending an academy that largely turns playtime into learning and exploration time. Last year, the curriculum called for a section on reptiles, but the kids weren’t interested. So they spent a month learning to make candy. The chemistry, composition, choices in flavorings…amazing. The right school is everything.
Anissa Gomulka
Yay mommy! Way to go on making your choice, YOUR CHOICE. Bianka just started school 2 months ago and she will be turning 4 in a month. It was perfectly timed out and she has had a blast! We only send her 2 times a week and I think for now it’s the right amount. When she’s 4 we’ll probably add an extra day. She goes to a Polish speaking school so even at her age, she still finds it a little bit more difficult because she speaks 2 languages.
We’d love to hang out with you guys again!
Peace and love,
Anissa