mom's graduation party

A couple weeks ago my mom finished her master's degree in professional counseling. She's worked on this so hard the past few years, and we were excited to get together and celebrate her accomplishments.

It was a small party of just 60 people that started an hour after the graduation ceremony ended, so set-up was, you know, no big deal.

Especially while six months pregnant.

If you're having a large party with no time to set up, you do soup, soup, and more soup.

The open house was in Mom and Dad's back yard which is literally RIGHT behind the campus where Dad teaches and from whence Mom just graduated.

I got as much ready as I could in the morning. Then after the ceremony it was just a quick waddle over the soccer field on the hottest day yet of the year to finish up.

The Indian block print table cloth below was our color inspiration, and I made the banners in the background to match.

And as well as flying in with her husband to super surprise Mom (yay!), my sister, Rebekah, painted this for Mom's office. The verse is Jeremiah 17:7-8 which has become an important verse for Mom and the clients she works with.

I had fun with the dessert table. We had cakepops...

FOUR of Mom's luscious cheesecakes, including Caramel Brownie, Almond Joy, Hawaiian, and Peanut Butter Fudge.

There was also her amazing "First Prize" Carrot Cake.

Besides being a little too hot for this mama-to-be, the day was gorgeous, and it was so fun to hang out with friends and family all evening.

This little girl was a champ. I barely saw her all evening! She just ran around with friends and only came to get me when she needed to use the bathroom. She's officially a "big kid".

I love this photo of the two of us. Also, anyone who's pregnant needs to run to Target and buy this dress right now. It's soooo comfy, doesn't show sweat marks (yay!), and is pretty fun and trendy.

Congratulations, Mom! I wanna be just like you when I grow up.

Party Credits

Party Styling: Kara Hallead
Photography: Faith Scheuerman
Desserts: Carol Scheuerman & Kara Hallead
Linens: Vintage and international
Banner fabric: Joann Fabrics
Mini Chalkboard Signs: Hobby Lobby