Dr. Seuss Party--Alyssa turns 6!

Alyssa has been so enamored by anything and everything Dr. Seuss. We decided to give her a Dr. Seuss themed family part this year. No St. Patty's day fare this year. 

Pinterest had a wealth of ideas to start us out. We made truffle trees out of pool noodles and feather boas. The pool noodles would often fall over, but they were kind of whimsical in that way. I painted them with spray paint. We won't be able to take them into the pool, but we will use them for other things. 

I stumbled on this Etsy shop where one can purchase all the elements for a photo booth. For $3.95, I couldn't pass it up. My mom and I spent an hour or so cutting out Dr. Seuss characters for a silly photo session. We had the Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and Ten Apples Up on Top.

My mom frosted the cake per Alyssa's request. I'm not the best cake froster. I need to take a class on cake decorating. It turned out well and Alyssa was happy.

Despite the near 90 degree weather in March, we had a great day with our family. And Alyssa's admission that it was the "best day ever" was enough to make me a very happy momma.

Alyssa reads

Over summer Alyssa was nervous about entering Kindergarten because she didn't know how to read. I tried unsuccessfully to assure her that she would learn to read in Kinder and no one expected her to read the first day. 

Fast forward to February and the beginning of Dr. Seuss season. She picked up Hop On Pop and realized that she could read it all by herself. Her enthusiasm was contagious and I drove straight to Target after school to the Dr. Seuss book display. She picked up Hop On Pop and opened it up right there and started reading to me. I had to steer her through the aisles while I finished my shopping and she kept on reading. The lady at the check stand kept her page while she scanned the book and Alyssa picked up right where she left off. 

I couldn't stop smiling. There is something beyond magical when a child finally gets it--it's almost like you can see their brains growing those connections. 

Alyssa picked up Green Eggs and Ham one night and read the book to me. She stopped in the middle and said, "I love Dr. Seuss. He helped me learn to read." Indeed he did.