Back-To-School Season

Well... August is here which means that back-to-school ads are airing, pool water temperatures are rising and Fall decorations are starting to appear in stores (unless you're Hobby Lobby in which case you've had Christmas decor out for a month!).

We got out before Memorial Day which means that we go back earlier than a lot of other schools - but I'm ready and excited!  Today I thought I'd share all things back-to-school in the hopes of maybe getting some of y'all excited right along with me :)

I like to put a few little decorations out for "back-to-school" mainly because it get my kids in the spirit and kind of helps us mentally switch gears from late nights and swimming all day to routine and homework.

I left the greenery up on the mantle because I just couldn't part with it quite yet and added the banner that I made a few years ago...

I put a few faux apples in in a jar and put this chalkboard on the top shelf...

... and added a few small decorative globes and a fun chalkboard to the kitchen table.

I put out an antique globe on the console table and called it a day.

For several years I looked on a bit enviously as families enjoyed special first day of school breakfast because our first day usually involves us leaving EXTRA early #teacherproblems with no time for an actual meal. 

Last year I decided to have our breakfast the night before school started and our "Back to School Brinner" (breakfast for dinner) was born!

We enjoyed sausage balls, cinnamon rolls, fruit and yogurt.  We prayed for the boys, their teachers and classmates and Luke passed along some words of wisdom regarding Kindergarten to Mason.  It was fantastic.  

We're going to have a brinner again this year and I can't wait!

Even though I buy the kids supplies through the school I like to pick up some fresh supplies for myself.  Grading pens, the BEST teacher planner, post-its, stickers... apparently I'm easy to please.

I feel like everyone is on their school lunch A-game early on in the year, but if you need a few ideas make sure to check out my post  HERE where I shared our favorite way to pack lunches and snacks (for kids and for me!)  We make them nightly and try to mix it up often.

My back-to-school shopping is fairly limited.  I order the supply packets through the school (soooo convenient!), purchase the next size up in uniform pieces, and swing through TJ Maxx to grab everyone new socks.  My shopping is really limited to shoes and backpacks (if needed) and that's it!

This year all the kids picked out super fun pairs for school...

... and that was pretty much it!  You can shop their picks for shoes and gear below :)

For myself I look for dresses with cap sleeves that will keep me cool as we head into fall that I can also easily layer with tights and a jacket later on in the year.  Here are a few of my current favorites...

I mean!!!  Is there anything sweeter than an excited first day pic? :)

The best part of the back-to-school season for me is that it's a fresh start.  My planner is clean and tidy, my classroom is organized and everyone's socks are matched up :)

The new school year is typically when I make my "resolutions" and set my goals... for my classroom and my family.  This year as a teacher I want to be more creative - get students up and out of their seats more and incorporate more problem solving.  My big goal for my family life is really guarding my evening time.  I'm not exactly sure what that's going to look like yet (leaving school work at school, turning off my phone from 5 pm - 8 pm, only blogging three days a week, etc.) but am working through those details.

Is this a time of the year that you love or one that you dread? :)  Do you have any fun first-day traditions/ideas?  Let me know in the comments!

Happy back-to-school season, friends!  

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