1st Day of School Teacher Survival Kits

Last night was Meet the Teacher night at our elementary school.  My kids were so excited and nervous about seeing their new classrooms.  This year, I have a first grader, two second graders, and a 4th grader.  It's funny to see how much the rooms differ as the grade gets higher....1st & 2nd grade is full of color, wall decorations, and fun.  Fourth grade has math problems on the walls! 

I thought it'd be fun to have something for the kids to give the teachers when they met them.  So, we created some fun and inexpensive little gift bags for them. 

We bought miniture canvas tote bags in our school colors and filled them will 9 little goodies and a handwritten note explaining why each item was being given. 

• Altoid mints because you were "mint" to teach.  :)
• Energy bar so you can keep with with all the kids.
• Hand sanitizer because kids are germy!
• Googly eyes because an extra pair of eyes is always helpful.
• Udder cream hand lotion so that you will have an "udderly smooth" 1st day.
• Advil!
• Stress ball (just in case)
• Extra brand gum so that this will be an 'extra' great day!
• Lip balm with the slogan "For your tired lips" from repeating instructions all day. 

It was totally silly, but the teachers seemed to love it and it gave the kids something to talk about when first meeting their new teacher. 

I did decide not to give one to the 4th grade teacher, mainly because he is a man and would probably not find it as cute of the female teachers.  And because my 4th grade is a boy and has started to act like his parents embarrass him in public....but, that's part of our job, right?!?

Almost school time again!

School starts exactly one month from today!  It's time to get it in gear and spend a few less days in pj's and swim suits.  Not that we won't still do that as long as possible, we just may not be able to do it everyday!

For the past 3 years, I've had a tradition of back to school shopping with one child at a time.  This started for a few reasons.  One, shopping with five kids is total chaos.  Two, the four kids that are waiting while the other one tries things on or picks things out get grumpy quickly.  Three, it's hard to find one-on-one time with each kid and this is the perfect way to make it happen.  Four, they really look forward to having a day that is just for them!


Today we started our annual shopping trips.  Mr. Adventure went first this year.  Although his behavior is tough sometimes, in this setting, he's very easy.  He doesn't have strong preferences about what we buy, he's willing to try things on as long as we don't walk past a toy or food aisle (those items get him hyper focused on asking for them instead of doing what I'm asking of him), and he's totally happy to be finished shopping as quickly as possible.  And it was nice to just have him to focus on...he needs that from me.


I have the rest of the kids' shopping days scheduled and am totally blessed that My Hero's work schedule is so flexible!  I also have a budget that I work very hard to keep.  It is such a privilege to be able to have new (and gently used) clothes for the kids....we try hard to keep that in perspective and to use our resources wisely.  Once Upon A Child is my favorite consignment store! 


I also have a growing list of things that need to be done, or that we want to do, in these last few weeks of summer.  It sure does go by quickly....