Back to School Traditions

I just love this time of year! Ever since I was a little girl, there was just something so special about shopping for new folders and pencil crayons, socks and undies...you know, the adorable ones with the flower buds that came in pink, yellow, and blue. If I was really lucky, Mom bought me the coordinating 3-pack of camisole undershirts. Sigh.

Anyhoo.

I still get quite a high out of school shopping for my crew and picking out the first outfits of the year, though I must confess to nearly breaking out in hives last year for Isabelle Katie's first day of preschool- the striped tights or the argyle socks??? (the socks!)

That's really where our traditions begin. I take each child out for a "date" a couple of weeks before school begins to get supplies, new clothes, and a little treat- we look forward to our time together every year! Then we have a little fashion show- yes, boys like to ham it up too! The night before school, we lay out the First Day outfits, go over the routine (again), and turn out the lights early...luuuuuuuuve that part too!  :)

My mother used to make my brother and me homemade waffles every year, so that is what I do too. Yummy! Then we head outside for the obligatory in-front-of-the-house pictures- maybe this year I'll make them sit down so they don't look quite so big, ha.

I also make sure to tuck a small note into each lunch box- usually it's a verse of encouragement and lots of smiley faces. I hope the notes remind them who they truly are, and how much their family and Jesus love them.

In the two years we've been home from Guatemala, Isabelle and I have gone shopping and doing some other girly things to celebrate (reclaiming our house!) after seeing off the boys. Then we head home to whip up chocolate chip cookies and wait for the boys to return. This year they will not be riding on any school buses for morning or afternoon, so I guess we'll just bring the cookies with us in the car!

I think it's going to be a great year!

Ethan going off to Kindergarten...

 

And here they are a few years later...

Isabelle's first day of preschool...

We head back to school in about two weeks and that's good, because I think it's time.  :)  I still can't believe that my boys are heading to the 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade! How on earth did that happen already?

But I'm ready for schedules and plans (and maybe even a teeny bit of quiet time), and color-coded calendars. It's the teacher in me! I don't think of New Year's Day as the beginning of anything- it's the first day of school that I set my schedule by! I've been pinning up a storm to get my organization and menu-planning arsenal in gear. Oh how I love this time of year!

I'm linking up to Kelly's Korner Blog where you can read about other traditions. Thanks for visiting & Happy Back to School Days!