Back to School Traditions

We do the back to school shopping thing where they actually get to go to the store and pick out a new back pack, and I insist they try on jeans as I can never have luck unless they are right there.

I always take the morning off to put them on the bus, and we take photos and always wait for the bus together.

lol, I almost had to yell at you for rushing my summer vacation but I guess since you are a kindergarten mom, i'll let you be excited early.

Oh how I remember those days!! When my kids were little, we would do a complete "dry run" a day or two before school would start - we would get up early, drive the route they would be taking on the bus and go to the school so they knew exactly what to expect. Then we would go have breakfast at a nearby restaurant and talk about how much fun they're going to have.

As they got older, we would omit driving the bus route but we would still get up early, go through the motions and then go have breakfast.

Then on the actual first day of school I always take their picture by the front door and off they went!

This will be a weird year for me - my oldest is starting college and my youngest is going into the 11th grade!! My son is moving into the dorm about a week before school starts so it will just be me and my daughter on our "dry run" this year.

Whatever you do, cherish these times - I'm sitting here as I type this thinking where the heck has the time gone!!

Good luck!!!

p.s. Oh my gosh... I can't believe I totally forgot - the night before school starts I read "The Kissing Hand" to my kids. I've read it every year since they started school and even now as old as they are, we still snuggle together and I'll read this book. The only difference now is they start laughing at me almost immediately because I start crying as soon as I start reading. But I'm determined to make it through every year!!

Oooh! This is my son's first 'back to school' year (I don't think preschool counts in the same way). I loved Purple Mom's suggestion of doing a trial run and then going out for a treat. Thanks for that idea.. that will be our new tradition. :)

We always took a photo of her on the front steps.
She always took Chinese pot stickers for lunch on the first day.. strange and wonderful child of ours.

She always had a new outfit for the first day, that SHE got to pick out.

In addition to the pictures in front of the house and getting on the bus, making her whatever she wants for breakfast, I also write her a letter to put into her scrapbook for that timeframe. I include what she wants to be when she grows up, her favorite books, games, movies and hobbies at the moment. I do the same on the last day of school.

Picture on the front porch on the first day of school. With 4 kids it was too hectic to worry about a special breakfast or any other traditions while trying to get them up, fed, dressed, hair and teeth brushed, backpacks, stuff, and out the door in time for the bus.

I make them some kind of breakfast (its changed now that they're teens) and we take a picture on the front porch with their backpacks. Then I take a funny picture and they've actually become some of my favorites over the years.

Years ago my daughter had a school project of making a family crest with traditions and this was one that she choose. They see it as significant as I do.

I take a few pictures of him in the morning, and right before getting on the bus. We make scrap books for many of the life milestones and yearly things. I also work from home the first day so I can see him off.

Last year my son was in pre-school and I am in the process of taking pictures from school and the first day. last day, moving on ceremony and putting them into a bound book for him-I will do one each year, so he can look back kind of like a year book.

We do something special the last day of summer vacation. It started out as an impromptu idea when my oldest was going to Kindergarten (Hey it's the last day of vacation and I have the day off, let's go the beach even though it's raining!) and became a tradition. My boys look forward to this every year - we've gone to the zoo, the aquarium, the beach, science museum, etc. We usually invite a friend or two to join us now that they're older. We try to get back early in the evening to allow plenty of time for a relaxing dinner and going to bed early.

On the first day of school I usually cook a hot breakfast and take pictures.

I always make pancakes or french toast and eggs. We always take a picture in front of the house with their backpacks on. This year, the baby will be in the picture too (sniff, sniff) as he's off to preschool.

I never knew people took pictures the first day of school.
My mom never did with us, and I never did with my daughter.
COOK breakfast? At 6:00 in the morning? HA!
The first day of school was just a school day for us, not a big deal.