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.