Last year I saw so many people on Instagram sharing their first day and back to school traditions and realized that I didn’t have one for my girls. I knew I wanted to change that and create a little something special + easy that we could stick to every year for back to school.
Our local schools have been back to school for t h r e e weeks now which is absolutely nuts. So if these past few weeks are any indication of the school year, its surely going to f l y by!
Now, I fully realize everyone is out of back to school mode at this point…. it’s on to all things Fall + Halloween but in true Jamie fashion…I meant to post this a month ago. Will I ever not procrastinate all the things? I’m honestly not sure folks!
Anywhoooo…..
What did I come up with you ask? Cookies, of course!
Now, I can’t take full credit for these adorable pencil wafers (I got the idea from insta account @homeofuandme ) but seriously, how cute?! The apples were equally as cute and easy enough to do with some store-bought sugar cookie dough. And the girls were obsessed!
I love pulling out this little table for the girls for special occasions. It usually stays in their playroom, but being able to decorate their own little space is super fun….for them and me! Not just for Back to School either….I love to celebrate all holidays and even on non-holiday days. Target, Walmart + Hobby Lobby make it so simple to do on a budget too.
Other Traditions
After School Journal
Josie is in 1st grade and honestly doesn’t get a lot of homework right now. Reading + writing are two areas that we continue to work with her on at home so I thought a journal would be a good way to get in a little “homework” after school. She can practice her writing, draw, talk about her day–honestly whatever she wants to do. Just getting her to take 15-30 after school to decompress from the day, instead of turning on the TV immediately.
Now I have to admit, she hasn’t been as excited about this idea as I have and most days there is a good bit of whining when I even bring it up. But I’m trying to make it a habit. Ya know, like the chores she’ll soon be doing every day. There are worse things kiddo, I promise ya that!
Pizza Night
Not all celebrations need to revolve around food, but homemade pizzas are already a beloved menu item in our home. And super fun to make. The girls like to help spread the sauce and sprinkle the cheese. I love how its an easy way to get us all together in the kitchen. And, its pizza. So it just makes you happy!
Teacher Gift
I think it’s a sweet gesture to send a little something in to the teacher on the first day of school. It could be something as simple as a handwritten note wishing them a good school year or saying how excited they are to be in their class.
Target dollar spot had the cutest back to school stuff this year so I picked up a little pail, thank you note cards (teachers use a lot of these!) along with the teachers’ favorite candy (she had sent home an “about me” letter on orientation night so I had the info) and a little note. Cheap + simple and I hope it brightened her first day a little bit.
I always look forward to seeing the back to school pictures every year, and this year didn’t disappoint! {throwback to last year} It’s so bittersweet to send our babies off to school but having a distraction helps. Like working on these cookies + table throughout the day helped pass the time until I could hug + smooch my girl.
I mean, how stinking cute is she?! Did you catch the video on Instagram stories of Josie running to Isla when she got off the bus? She had the biggest smile + biggest hug? The sweetest!
And ya know….a mimosa for mom wouldn’t have been a bad idea either. *Note for next year* add mimosas to the list.
Happy school year, y’all!
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