Y’all it is incredibly hard to believe that the coolest summer ever is rapidly winding down and in the blink of an eye I will have a first grader and a fourth grader. This revelation has me thinking about kicking off the school year, and I thought I’d share a roundup of faves from years past…
School Bus Door Hanger
If you’ve spent a split second around here you’ll know how I adore my door hangers. I’ve slowly amassed a collection for every season, holiday and celebration. One of my very faves is the big yellow school bus. I’m going to get it out this weekend, in fact!
Get Geared Up
We’ve used the same LL Bean backpacks and lunchboxes for more than four years and they are still like new. John did just upgrade his to a larger size for fourth grade. We’ve also used and loved the same easy lunchbox containers for lunch since his kindergarten year. See all the details here! (And please know their lunches only look this cute about two times a year!)
I also try to clean up and update our homework station at the beginning of each school year. For a while we used a simple homework cart, and then last year we completed the family office which gave us an amazing space for computers, homework, reading and projects.
Read Back to School Books
I adore every single one of The Night Before… books by Natasha Wing. Last year I also found a fun book for 3rd grade.
Meet the Teacher Treats
One of the most anticipated parts of heading back to school is getting to meet our new teachers! We love to come with a little something that helps the littles break the ice when introducing themselves. That being said, I think I’m going to wait and send in something on the first day of school or at parent night this year. Only because I haven’t got my act together yet…
First Day of School Pictures
Rather than using my own chalkboards this year, I will use the darling free printable signs from Yellow Bliss Road (also used on the last day of school in May). I use my corner rounder punch to finish it off. (It’s a fave tool around here!)
First Day Flap Jacks
Honey and I always get up extra early on the first day to turn out a special flap jack breakfast! To keep things manageable, I set the table the night before after the littles are asleep, and Honey goes ahead and mixes the pancake batter at the same time.
First Day of School Snack
The day that John skipped off to kindergarten in 2010, I was beside myself missing him. So, I busied myself all day by preparing a festive snack to surprise him with the moment he got off the school bus. Since then, it’s become a tradition and something we all look forward to. It slows them down a bit and gives us time to talk about everything that went on during their day. Here are a few favorites:
“After School Talk” Card Game
My two know how to motor mouth when they want to, but getting details about their day at school can be like pulling teeth at times. Last year I created a cute, printable game to be used with just a deck of cards. Needless to say, I learned more than ever before and will definitely be using it again. This is an instant digital download in my etsy shop!
Sweet Treat for the Lunchbox & Friends
I love to tuck little unexpected treats in the littles lunchboxes those first few days of school. Mainly because they were so… little… but also because they love them. We’ve used the same idea to give to a few friends at the beginning of the year as well.
Now, before I get too ahead of myself, there are a few fleeting days of summer left to enjoy!
xoxo
Dixie Delights {I Love} on Amazon [affiliate links used]
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