Yesterday was our first day back to school! Not entirely sure if I’m happy or sad about this…I think I’m mostly happy since life with a scheduled routine is usually better for ALL members of my family (although the boys may disagree!). I have to admit I’m also a little sad since my oldest is a senior this year…how did that happen!? But since I can’t figure out how to stop time, I may as well make it as merry as possible! So for the very first after school snack of the year I decided to “tweak” the “after school” part and make it an “after dinner” treat for the boys and a few friends! And since it still feels like late summer should, I decided that an ice cream sundae bar would be a nice way to celebrate the start of a new school year AND the memories of a wonderful summer! So a simple setup on the patio was all that was needed on a gorgeous evening…
school night celebration…
as is turned out this get-together for my boys, in particular my youngest, ended up being just as much fun for me! not just because i got to pull this little thing together but because my friends joined in too! our youngest boys have played plenty of baseball together through the years and baseball moms and kids get to spend A LOT of time together…therefore, good friendships are formed! so i was thrilled that they could join in on the last minute fun! and since the first day of school is always hectic i knew a simple spread was best…but simple doesn’t have to mean boring! these adorable supplies that i’d picked up earlier this summer were just waiting to help me make an easy and cute display!
how sweet are these gummy ice cream cones from World Market? and tasty too!
and i LOVE these paper cups & wood spoons not just because they’re so adorable…
but disposable too!
i love to entertain, but what i love even more is making it easy! the more i can do ahead makes the setup so much quicker and stress free! so earlier in the afternoon i gathered the toppings, put them in their serving dishes if necessary, and piled them on a tray to carry to the patio just before everyone arrived. this way i made one quick trip from the kitchen with everything that didn’t need to be kept cold!
of course the ice cream came out last…fortunately the evening was comfortably cool so no extra ice was needed this time! from the freezer to the table is perfectly fine!
and no need to disguise the sauces…i just piled ’em on a stand…
which is a great way to make an ordinary item look special! i did the same with the ice cream cups and spoons–perched them up on a cake stand to show off how cute they are!
crushed up cookies, sprinkles, and those darn cute candies for some extra sugar on top!
put them all together for some easy & sweet fun!
and since boys are always hungry, i set out the containers of stuff to make s’mores…
a little ice cream, time with friends, and great conversation ’round the fire…
