School schedules are slowing down, prom and graduation season is here, and the summer bug is biting everyone-it's time to celebrate! In this month's featured articles, find quick ideas to enjoy prom on a budget and for a thematic party to honor the special high school graduate in your life. An amazing new Pixar movie, Up!, is about to hit the cinematic 3-D big screen, and with balloons carrying a home up, up, and away, this is a fantastic movie to build a balloon-filled party theme around! Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and is a fun holiday to celebrate with family and friends ... olé! And don't forget to take time to slow down, smell the flowers, and have some fun in the garden with your kids too.

 

Make sure to check out our May giveaways:

 

• What's Cooking Child's Apron
  

 
It's almost prom season, and this year everyone is watching their pennies! Still, prom is a wonderful event and makes memories that will last a lifetime.

Keep these budget-friendly tips in mind when you set out to plan your prom:

 

Dr. Seuss's Oh The Places You'll Go is a quick classic, inspiring all of those graduates to look at the next phase of life with a true spirit of adventure and balance. Although any graduation party will mainly center around gathering, eating, and talking, it is often fun to have a theme for decorations, special food ideas, and a few activities as well. This book can serve as the perfect theme for such a party.

This summer, Pixar will release another fantastic movie: Up! It's the story of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredericksen who has dreamed of adventure his entire life. He decides to go on a grand one when he attaches thousands of helium balloons to his home to go up, up, and away on a fabulous journey to South America. Not until he's in the air does he discover stowaway Russell, an 8-year-old wilderness explorer who is completely equipped to handle the outdoors (but has never left the city). The two meet a delightful cast of characters on this journey of a lifetime.

 

You don't have to be Mexican to have a Cinco de Mayo party! This festival celebrates the May 5, 1862 victory of Mexicans over French invaders and is celebrated by people all over the world. Ultimately, it is a celebration of Mexican pride! And everyone loves the day, children and adults alike.

Are you looking to throw your own Mexican fiesta this May with your kids?? If so, there are many ways to bring the day alive for your family.

 

1. Decorate with the colors of the Mexican flag: white, green and red. Blow up balloons, hang streamers, and buy tableware in these vibrant colors.

 

 

Amount of Time:

5 to 15 hours
Budget: $100 to $250
Age Group: 1 to 9 years old
Number of Guests: 5 to 15
Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor would be best, preferably in a garden area. This is a popular summer and spring party.

Special Notes: This is a favorite party theme for children of many different ages. If the kids are really young, they may enjoy playing with their friends in the sun while their parents socialize. Older children can have lots of fun not only playing buggy games but also learning a thing or two.

A lot of the activities at this type of a party will not take long to organize, and the colors can be chosen by the birthday kid. A suggestion would be red for ladybugs, yellow for butterflies, and green for grass.