Grant Park Cooperative Preschool Auction Night

 

 

Leave it to a group of dedicated moms and dads to help me turn an abandoned warehouse into a festive "Farmhouse Soiree", and to top it off, with a $0 budget!

  

 

We have an amazing community that surrounds the Preschool and the donations began rolling in. Between straw baskets to be hung and turned into lighting, gingham fabric for tablecloths, flowers from Costa Farm Nursery, Christmas lights from various families, a talented band, and food and dessert from ten amazing local restaurants, the event took shape and was a sucess.

 

 

The small details helped bring the farmhouse theme to life. Between haystacks on the floor for seating, greenery in masonry jars, candle light, and the use of twine to hang lighting, a warm inviting ambiance was obtained.We were able to reuse in our very "green" fashion, plywood planks and printers tables left behind to serve as a backdrop for the

band and a barriers from the entrance to event.

 

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of our children's art projects. Each class is responsible for fabricating an art object tying into what they are learning and focusing on in class during the year. We have our "kitty cat" class made up of 1 year olds who are studying shadow and light, thus creating a unique chandelier using a strainer, painted vellum sheets, and a bicycle wheel. Next, we have our "ladybugs" class made up of 2 year olds (this is where my sweet baby boy is). They have been experimenting with clay and learning to bake breads.This lead to the making of a set of handmade ceramic bowls and a kid friendly bread recipe cookbook. To accompany the recipe book was 5 fresh loafs of bread inside a  handmade mosaic bread box. The kids have been viewing pictures of Antoni Gaudi, a Spanish architect who uses mosaics as a focus in his work for construction.The older class of 3 and 4 years olds, the "frogs", produced a very elaborate ukulele with an incorporation of the clock. There is a lot of singing and dancing in this class and combining that with the children learning about the concept of time they asked to combine the two  ideas together, and wallah!

 

 

And of course the night would not be complete without an amazing dessert bar. "Sweet Cheats" donated a number of delectable desserts from chocolate covered oreos, cake pops, and one of a kind cupcakes. Bon Apetite

 

 

I'd say the night was a sucees, lots of laughs and good times all while supporting our little ones.