The Graduates

You know how people are always telling you to enjoy your kids when they’re little because before you know it they’ll be all grown up …

 

in the blink of an eye?

 

And you think, yeah, yeah. That won’t happen to me.

 

Because in the moment when you’re changing their diapers and feeding them from little glass jars with rubber-tipped spoons, it seems impossible. When day after day feels like a carbon copy of the day before. The same routines. The same glass jars and rubber tipped spoons. And the only thing that seems to change are the seasons …

 

and size of their diapers. And their shoes. And their clothes.

 

And you find yourself wishing them to grow up. A little. You know, little freedoms for you like when they can dress themselves and feed themselves.

 

And you know when you celebrate the milestones …

 

the first tooth …

 

the first haircut …

 

the first step …

 

times seems to slow down. Not speed up.

 

And you know when, on that very first day of Kindergarten, you take a look at the brick-and-mortar building that will be their second home for the next nine years, and the idea of high school is light years away …

 

and the idea of college is in another galaxy altogether?

 

And then,

 

suddenly,

 

you blink and it’s May 1, 2015.

 

And you find yourself the mother of two graduates. Wondering how … and when … did that happen?

 

In the blink of an eye, you have one child heading to high school in the fall. The other (gulp) to an out-of-state college.

 

But before the pomp and circumstance .. .and before you shed a tear (times two) as your graduates take the stage and move their tassels from right to left … you find yourself in an end-of-school-year whirlwind filled with caps and gowns and picture day and graduation fees and tickets and  luncheons and awards dinners and …

 

and ...

 

let’s not forget the graduation party. Well, more like parties. Times two. One for each of my graduates. You can’t exactly mix 14-year-olds and 17-year-olds at the same soiree.

 

Sigh.

 

Luckily, the kind folks at Evite and Qdoba Catering have come to the rescue. Offering up some graduation party tips and tricks to make party planning and execution a breeze.

 

 

1. Jenga Classic Game, $8.99

For a unique, creative “guest book,” try a “Build Memories” Jenga tower! Invite guests to write a memory of the grad on a Jenga piece, then add their pieces to a tower at the party. Afterward, gift the game to the grad.

2. Fuji Instant Camera, $75.00

A great gift and fun party accessory in one! Give your grad and their guests a fun way to capture the moment.

3. Tassel Garland Kit, $12.99

Tassel garlands give a subtle nod to the graduation tassel and make cheap yet chic decor pieces. Buy yours in the graduate’s school colors.

4. Orange Square Dinner Plates, $5.49

The shape echoes the classic mortarboard graduation cap, and they’re available in enough shades to coordinate with any color scheme.

5. Blue Jumbo Balloons, $11.99

Show off the grad’s school colors with these oversized balloons you can get blown up at party supply stores or some supermarkets.

6. Qdoba Catering, starts at $9.50/person (for pricing for your party, call 1-888-QDOBA2GO)

It’s effortless and delicious. Just order a crew-pleasing hot taco bar with its famous queso from Qdoba – they’ll deliver everything from toppings to utensils.

 

You can check out even more graduation party tips and start inviting everyone to your graduation party with an Evite invitation.

 

And now I must stop and cherish this moment. This milestone. Because in the blink of an eye I’ll find myself the mother-of-the-groom. And mother-of-the-bride …

 

gulp!

🙂

 

This post is brought to you by Evite and Qdoba. However, any and all opinions about graduation and graduates and Evite and Qdoba are 100% my own.