"Goodbye, Summer!" Bicycle Parade & Ice Cream Social

I am getting a little teary-eyed as I write this. Two weeks ago I was sitting on the front porch watching my girls play. As I sat there, I noticed that the light coming through the trees was different & the air was a little crisper......fall was greeting us with a gentle, "hello." Normally, I would be happy to welcome our friend fall, after all, it is one of my favorite seasons. But, this year is a different story. See, my husband graduates from medical school next May, and we will be starting a new chapter of our life.....in a new state. The start of fall means that our last summer in Oregon is coming to an end. 

One of the things that I hope my girls remember from their childhood, is that we took the time to celebrate life. Not just the big stuff like birthdays & graduations, but that we relished the simple things that make life great; things like friendship, a change of season or having homemade ice cream in the freezer. Realizing that our last summer here was rapidly coming to a close, I knew our chance to make some long lasting summer memories was limited. I knew we needed to have one last party.  As my giggling four year old whizzed by on her bike, I knew that a bicycle parade would be the perfect way to say, "goodbye" to summer. After all, pinwheels, vintage tricycles & tissue paper peonies make me burst with happiness {win!}

I had the best time using stuff from the shop (stripey straws, cupcake liners, tissue paper & fringe garland) to make the decorations for their bikes.  And, even though I'm pretty sure the next person to own our home will still be finding sprinkles 10 years from now, an evening decorating chocolate coated ice cream cones with my little ladies was well worth the epic mess.

It was such a perfect day. Watching the kids peddle around the park with chocolate covered faces was pure joy for me.  I am so happy we took one last sun-kissed afternoon to celebrate our final summer here with the friends that have helped make our life so sweet.

xoxo,
Stevie

Look for a bike decoration tutorial in the days to come!

sources:

party decoration supplies: {stripey straws, cupcake liners, tissue paper & fringe garland}: shop sweet lulu
photography: stevie pattyn 
photography: myah mcneill of {glo photography}