Back to School

Unfortunately summer is wrapping up and time to sharpen our pencils.

Growing up I always loved school, for the social party of course.

But something about the smell of new clothes and school supplies gets me giddy. 

 

Kids I think are excited to go back.

Mothers are even more excited for kids to go back. 

I remember I bawled my eyes out last year, when my daughter went to school for the first time.

Can't say that is going to happen this time around (still gonna miss her like crazy though)

 

But the first day back can be kind of crazy madness so hopefully

a little planning ahead can help you and the kids enjoy the first day a little more.

Here are some ideas for that crazy 1st day of school. 

 

Celebrate the Day

We typically start summer off with a bang, a party, and a neighborhood gathering.

Sooooooo why don't we do the same thing for school?

We are excited right?  So we should party!

How fun would it be to have a banner outside as the kiddos go to leave for school.

Get a running start on the school year by running through the banner.

I purchased the number cards at the dollar store and sewed them together.

You could tape the cards to crepe paper as well for an even easier tear.

Come on you know you would want to run through this!

 

Calming Hearts

Don't you remember having your heart beating out of your chest because you were both excited and nervous as all get out.  I get nervous just thinking about it, the anticipation, the excitement, the unknown of what was going to happen during the school year.

 But especially the first day, would I know anyone in my class, did I still have friends????

I love the idea of having kids know that their moms are thinking of them

 even though we can't be with them. You can sew these simple hearts with felt and embroidery floss.

These hearts can be placed in their pockets and they can squeeze the heck out of it when they get nervous and no one will know! 

 

Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast.

Yes we all know it is the most important meal of the day,

however that doesn't mean it is the easiest by any means.

I think it's ok to cheat on breakfast on the first day of school, and it may or may not continue throughout the rest of the school year.

Make it simple!!!

Buy some frozen mini pancakes, french toast sticks, etc

and your kids will think you spent hours making a finger food breakfast just for them. 

 

 

 

Teacher Appreciation

Don't forget the 2nd most important person regarding the school year.

Our Teachers!!

They all deserve a lil something something.

I call this the secret stash.

These little tote bags are easy to assemble and are easy to disguise treats for your teachers.

(Tutorial on these bags coming soon)

 

 

Teachers always seem to have their hands full of papers, books, etc.

Give a gift and sssshhhhh this only cost $3!

I purchased this tote bag at Hobby Lobby for $3 and using a fabric marker

I made a template to give the bag a little personality. 

 

 

1st Day Snapshots

Remember how every year you want a cute picture of your kid on the first day of school and the moment comes just before they turn and

 run into class and before you know it.....you didn't get a picture.

Help with the stress of the infamous need of the perfect picture and try something new.

Try going to the school a few days prior to the 1st day and see how much more relaxed they are.

No distractions of seeing old classmates & nerves out of this world.

Spend a few minutes making a sign to welcome the new school year so 10 years from now you don't have to figure out what grade that was for.

 

 

Welcome Home

How fun would it be to have your own homework station?

I scored in finding this old desk at a school garage sale.

Three Dollars folks! eeekk.

I painted it the color I wanted and sprayed the top with Chalkboard paint.

(which I will probably regret in 2 weeks)

But regardless a personal homework station to add to the office, or their rooms.

Eliminating homework being spread all over the kitchen table (wishful thinking I know)

 

How fun is it to reminisce memories especially when we are so

getting old and don't remember things as well as we used to.

Create a after school activity for the first day for kids to come home

and fill out a questionnaire from their first day.  But away the time capsule and

bring out for your summer party and see how things have changed throughout the year and hopefully learned a thing or two!

 

 

I cried like a little preschooler.

We are hoping we learn how to sit like a lady in school! haha

This is a picture Liv had to take of Mom and Dad before the big day.

I think she did a good job and plus this is before I have red eyes. 

And yes this is how mommy soothes her discomfort with a 44 oz diet coke and a mint brownie.   

I did, I cried like a little school girl. Oh wait this day is about her!!! Of course I know that but I can't help be sad. She on the other hand was just fine.   Here's how the morning played out........

We've been talking about this for weeks in preparation and I told her yesterday when she asked me if I was going to come to preschool that I was to big and I would be waiting for her outside. Whew that line worked!  Literally. That's what I feel like doing, peeking in the windows. What? I could use some revisiting of my colors and letters. 

So this morning as we are getting out of the shower I say are you ready???  She replies "Is the bus going to come pick me up?" I said no, Mommy gets to take you. Her response "Oh man!!" and then turns and grabs my shirt, like Annie did in the scene where she beats up the boys for picking on Sammy or whatever that dogs name is, and says "you get me a bus"  Alert Alert!  Please don't do this to your new preschool friends!

So just as we are starting the rigorous effort of doing her hair I mention the "L" word.....ya know LIPSTICK! You see she has a little obsession called lip gloss.  So much so that yesterday I bought her a new one because she was good in Target, thinking it was clear and wouldn't cause a big scene. No sir, it turns hot pink after being lubricated 400 million times. She alone yesterday must have put that crap on 212 times. In fact so much that she has a nice rash around her lips, so perfect and fitting for first day of school pictures! Oh well I love it. So this morning when she repeats back to me, "Lipstick" it's like slow motion and I can see it in her eyes as she's saying it L.i.p.s.t.i.c.k and she's thinking my sneaky sneak mother hid that sonofagun lipstick.  From that moment on for 45 minutes that's all I heard "Lipstick, lipstick I want my lipstick"  Knowing that that's all she would do in preschool is apply and reapply I told her no.

Boy howdy, I'm sure our neighbors loved that. We finally got her calmed down enough so she could eat some lunch and oh ya know take a breath!

It was time to go, but knowing me and every mother out there you have to take pictures. She grabs her backpack and starts to put it on and this is Scene 1, Act 1 of when mommy loses it!  I wiggle my hand in front of my face telling myself not to cry just yet!  Casey laughs knowing that when this is just the beginning of the tears from me, not her. 

We take some pictures on teh front porch and I think I see the nervousness in her eyes. I can tell, I'm her mom.  We head to her school and the whole time I'm thinking "do I stop talking about it?  Am I making her more nervous by talking about it?  So I do a little bit of both. I shut up for a few mins and tell her how great it is going to be, how many friends she is going to make, what great things is going to learn. 

We pull up and she is jumping out of the car seat. She gets out of the car and I know now is my chance to sneak a kiss before it's to late.  And that's it she turns and runs to Mis Misti.  Not a look back. Not a slow motion turn and come back for a second hug. Nada. Who am I kidding I was the same way.  So there it is Liv your first day of your education! 

What happens next. Tears and more tears.  I can in the car and first things first I call my sister. I know she knows what is it like.   It's sad to say but I'm doing the whole hysterical cry and laugh at the same time.  I am so sad because I never know if we will have more kids and this may be the last time I get this experience. Deep down I know by day 2 I won't be sad and I will have a list of things to do during those precious 2hrs or alone time. 

When the day was over, she ran to me so excited! It made it all worth it.   We get in the car and I immediately start with the questions......How was your day?  What did you do for fun?  Did you make new friends?  Her response....."We just giggled!!!" Oh boy!