Monday, August 7, 2017

Heading Back to School

I know a ton of kids that are getting ready to head back to school this week.  The summer really seemed to fly by for us so it's crazy we're already talking about Fall and school.  Olive's school doesn't start back for a few more weeks.  I'm thankful to have the extra time with her and we are really building up this whole back to school business since it's our first time.

She'll tell you she has butterflies in her belly about school or that she's feeling nervous.  We are reading a lot of books about school, talking about school, have visited school and play school to help her know what to expect at school.  I think she'll do great once she gets past all the NEW.

Here are a few things that we've done or are on our radar for Back to School this year:


NEW CLOTHES:
We picked up a few new dresses and some new shoes for Olive for school.  I'm obsessed with her new dress from the Back to School line of Eleanor Rose.  Isn't it darling!?!?  It'll be perfect for school picture day and I was thrilled to find a dress WITH POCKETS since they're her favorite.


FAMILY THEME:
Our family theme for the school year is LOVE TO LEARN.  We're all working on learning new things.  It was fun to decorate our mantel with some cute school things.  The banner and sign are from Target right now.  I added an apple and Olive asked about it.  I told her that people give their teachers apples and she laughed.  She said, "Teachers would really like to be given CUPCAKES not apples!"  I like the way she thinks!


MATCHING BRACELETS:
We went on a fun outing to pick out beads for some matching bracelets.  Hobby Lobby was having a big sale.  Olive picked out her favorite beads and we got busy making matching bracelets and necklaces.  The idea is that we'll both wear them or put them on our backpacks/key chains.  When we're missing each other during the school day we can look at our bracelets and feel loved.

Olive has been having a bit of separation anxiety and so I think this project was so good for her.  She totally understood it and loved making them.





INVOLVE THE KIDS:
Olive picked out her new lunch box, backpack and Yumbox.  She had complete say and it was fun to see her get excited to buy school supplies.  She's been playing pretend school with all of them.  I know without a doubt that she was more excited to get to pick out these items than if I'd just bought it all for her.  I loved seeing her make decisions, shop for the perfect item and be so proud of her school gear.

I love seeing what Momfessionals does with her kids to celebrate going back to school.  She's a middle school teacher so it's fun to see her teacher mom spin on things.  I like the idea of having a back to school meal with your family.  I'm still thinking about how I'd like to do this for my family.

Beat the Back to School Jitters was a fun read

Stephanie Nielson always does amazing things for her family to kick off the school year.  Here is her Back to School Feast 2016.  She's a pro at making memories with her children.



What are YOU doing to get your kids EXCITED to go back to school??

And how are YOU feeling about sending your kids to school??


I'm feeling a little anxious about Olive starting school.

I'm 100% confident in the school we've chosen and the learning experience for her.  However, she's been my sidekick learning at home with me for 4 years.  It'll be new territory for both of us.  I have loved being in charge of our schedule and our days and part of me is sad to enter in the world of school calendars.  Thankfully. it's just a few days a week and we still have days where we can pick what we want to do.  This part time preK routine will be the perfect way to introduce us to the world of school.

I'm also excited to spend some one on one time with Fletcher.  It will be fun to give him my undivided attention for a while.  I'm thrilled for all of the new experiences Olive is going to have with teachers, school, learning and making friends.  I know that school will be great even if it's a bit of an adjustment for us all.

10 comments:

  1. We are getting excited for school in our house too. Cam just got a new backpack and lunch box and I did some Gymboree shopping when they were having a big sale and Gymbucks. I think I'd like to decorate for school this year. Such a fun idea. Need to make a Hobby Lobby run. Ha ha! Olive is going to do so great and Mommy will too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Whitney that dress is SO cute. I absolutely can't wait to see Olive in it. I love the bracelet idea too. That is such a fun idea. We head back today, eeekkk!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. First of all, I love the idea of the matching bracelets. This will be such a comfort to Olive when she can look at it and think of you wearing yours. Second, I totally remember feeling a little anxious about send Grace to preschool. But the part time schedule and social interaction will be wonderful. And my favorite part was having my "little buddy" at home with me for some one-on-one time. Those were special times! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mel @ The Larson Lingo has some cute back to school dinner ideas too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The first year of school is always a bit of sadness and joy. I was so sad to see Connor head off but he loved his school and was excited each morning, making it easier to send him off.
    I'm excited to experience school with Olive this season.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the matching bracelets idea! That is so cute and I love her dress!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the idea of matching bracelets! So sweet! Can't believe she's starting pre k.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What some ideas. My daughter starts preschool in September for 3 days a week. I think I am more anxious then she is! I know she will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love all of your sweet ideas especially those bracelets! Her dress is darling :) Happy Back to School to you! xoxo ERIN

    ReplyDelete
  10. That dress is so cute! I agree with her that cupcakes are better than giving apples! The matching bracelets is such a cute idea. What a great reminder that you're always with her, and she is with you.

    ReplyDelete

I LOVE hearing from you!! Thanks for taking the time to leave sweet comments; I enjoy reading every one of them.