Summer is ending and reality is setting in for both myself and the kids. They aren’t the types to get excited for school.  I get it.  I want summer to last forever TOO!

To get my boys ready and pumped to go back to school I like to host a pre-school get together.

I invite our school friends over and I chat with the moms about what activities their kids are signed up for, what days are free for play dates and I get the scoop on the teachers for our kids’ upcoming year.

This is a chance for the kids to reconnect and catch up on their summers and for moms to do the same. I keep the menu simple with a potato chip bar in a variety of our favorite Kettle Brand flavors, a beverage dispenser of ice water and tons of apples.  I set out a paper bag decorating activity for the kids doubling as a bag for them to fill up with their favorite chips.

I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t like potato chips so it’s my favorite food to serve at parties. What I love about Kettle Brand is they have a flavor for everyone from kids to grown ups. We labeled each flavor with an apple and a skewer name card leaf.  Plus how perfect do their bags go with this tablescape? Gavin is obsessed with the Sea Salt & Vinegar chips while Luke goes directly for the New York Cheddar, my favorite is Backyard BBQ.

Naturally (I mean c’mon…I party for a living!) I wanted a touch of fun décor.  So I made apples with red balloons and a little green construction paper for the leaf, which floated perfectly under the umbrellas that I have on my backyard deck.  The coolest part of this was as part of my invite, I asked each guest to submit a baby pic of their kid…I printed a copy of each and tied to the end of the balloon tails for everyone to look at and guess who’s who.

What I love about hosting this back to school party is it’s technically still summer so the weather usually allows for us to party outside.  The kids can run around, swim if it’s warm enough and soak in every last second of the summer month.

Boom.  Going back to school is all of a sudden FUN!

Our back to school party was sponsored by Kettle Brand but all of the thoughts and finger lickin’ good opinions are my own.