Back To School Traditions & Ideas

1. Back to School Shopping

2. Reading Books about School

3. BTS Photos

4. Filling out Back to School Sign

5. First Day of School Breakfast

6. School Drop Off with Mommy and Daddy

7. Teacher Gifts

8. Making School Lunches

1. Back to School Shopping is a tradition I've had since I was a little girl and I love that I get to carry on this tradition with my girls.  However, I have to admit that this year has been extra crazy and so I did a lot of the shopping online.  Thank you Grandma and Voa Voa for helping with Back to School Shopping.  The girls are so blessed!

It's always a tradition to get the girls a new outfit, backpack, lunch pail and supplies for school.  Some of my favorite items are HERE but I just have to share my absolute favorite place for personalized items.  The girls adorable backpacks are from Viv & Lou which offers the cutest products that all can be personalized for free.  The quality is outstanding, the options are endless and everything is very affordable in my opinion.  My favorite part is the personalization is included!

Another tradition is to give the girls their new backpacks filled with their supplies.  They were so overjoyed with their new gear and supplies.

Speaking of supplies do you label everything?  I have the world's worst handwriting so I hate labeling but I also hate when they magically lose their stuff.  While I was online shopping I found Name Bubbles which are peel and stick labels that can go on just about anything.  They are waterproof and weatherproof and will last all year long.  I selected the Unicorn Labels pack for the supplies and the Small Round Clothing Labels for their clothes.  The clothing labels are laundry and dishwasher safe, press and stick and work with tagged or tag less clothing.  I think this was such an amazing find so I just had to share it with you!

2. We read every day with the girls and I think it's a great way for them to learn or prepare for something.  Each girl got a new book about school.  Emily's was The Night Before First Grade and Madi's was JoJo First Day Jitters.  Thank you Voa Voa for the books.

3. Every year a few days before school starts I take Back to School Photos.  It's also our tradition to take a picture the morning of on our rock in our front yard.  Unfortunately it was too sunny for a rock picture.  I know one day I will cherish comparing the pictures from year to year and seeing their growth.  Already I can't believe how much they've changed.

 

Sissy couldn't resist getting in the pic with sister.

4. I love to record this milestone with a Back to School Printable every year.  I used the same printable from last year because I love it so much; I found the template HERE.  It's our tradition to fill it out and see what the girls say.  Emily's answers were nothing too surprising other than cheer coach considering she's never cheered.  Madi kept saying jobs that I was listing off.  She finally concluded on Doctor.  

5. I like to do a fun Back to School Breakfast on the First Day of School.  This year was waffle pencils and a special table set up.  You can find way more details HERE.

6. Kevin doesn't get to drop off the girls on a daily basis because of work but it's our tradition to do first day of school drop off together.  I love the effort he makes to make us all feel special and loved.  He had to drive all the way to Oakhurst to start his crew on a job at 7 am and was back down the hill at 8:15 to drop Emily and then headed back up the hill.  Please show me a more committed and present dad!

Emily ran to see her friends on the playground and it made my heart so happy.  She was a little nervous for school to start but I could see those fears melt the second she saw her friends.  I'm so proud of her braveness and being social and outgoing.

7. I think teachers are some of the hardest working and most patient people on the Earth so a little thank you gift is well deserved.  I put together a "C" gift for Emily's teacher which includes a Butterfish gift card, Starbucks gift card, and some chocolate.  "A little something to "C" you through the first week of school... Carry Out, Caffeine & Chocolate."  For Madi's three teachers I put together a "I hit the JACKPOT having you as my teacher," which includes chocolate gold coins and lotto tickets.  All of them are getting a special card with a poem, "If You Give a Teacher a Student..."

"C" Gift Tag can be found HERE

If you give a teacher a student, they’re going to teach them things like math, science and grammar.

When they teach these subjects, the students will get smart and excited about learning.

When they get excited about learning, they will become curious about other subjects.

So, the teachers will indulge their curiosity through experiments and hands on learning.

As they teach their students, teachers will realize that they don’t just spend their day teaching, but they spend time coaching, loving and nurturing too.

So, they’ll probably give their students praise and positive reinforcement.

They’ll get carried away and they may even end up giving hugs and affection too!

When teachers are done, students will have a solid foundation of education to build upon.

Then, the students will apply their education in their careers.

They might be successful engineers, doctors, lawyers, nurses or teachers.

And chances are, if the students are successful in the future,

They have a teacher, like you, to thank for it.

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8. Packing lunches is one of my least favorite parts of the day.  It can be such a chore and sometimes I struggle with what to pack.  I've worked out some ideas and you can find them HERE and HERE.  Making life a bit easier is having the right gear.  The lunch pails from Viv & Lou are perfect.  We've had several different brands and this one is my favorite.  It's a great size; not too large and not too small.  It fits a Tupperware and thermos.  A new find this year is the travel snack stack from Re-Play.  We've loved the snack stacks for awhile but they just launched the travel edition with clear lid and handle.  These are perfect for school and hooking onto a lunch pail or backpack.

I live for traditions so I hope you got some ideas here.  What are your BTS Traditions?  I always love hearing new ideas.

This is a sponsored post.  As always all opinions expressed are honest and my own.