Back to School Countdown {Repost}

I won't start this post by saying, "I can't believe school starts one week from tomorrow for us!" but I will say this summer is a bit of a blur!  So many great memories, carefree days, and fun times, but now it's time to move on to a new chapter- SCHOOL TIME!

I shared my back to school countdown last year.  But I wanted to update the look a bit, and add some new activities. My boys ALWAYS have the first day jitters, so I like to make the days up to the first day as fun and exciting as possible, and a countdown is the perfect way to do it. 

You can click on the link above for more tips on making the countdown calendar, but basically I just dress up a toilet paper roll, and then put a little treat and activity inside the roll each day.  We countdown the week before school, so like  I said we'll be starting tomorrow!

The link above also has a list of activities we do in our countdown.  This year I'm adding a few new ones.

Back to school Mad Libs (tune in tomorrow for some great links on that)

Make a back to school Rainbow Loom bracelet

Take a quiz about last year's school year

You can do anything you'd like for your countdown.  Personalize it for your kids, and make it fun.  That first day can be a bit nerve-racking and overwhelming.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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The Backpack Fairy {Fun Night Before the First Day of School Tradition}

This is one of my very favorite back to school traditions!  I think I read about it in Family Fun magazine many years ago.  And, if you're familiar with the tooth fairy, then you probably already know what the backpack fairy does.

WHAT  TO DO

Have your child leave his/her backpack out the night before school starts.  You can choose a designated spot, or just put it anywhere (the backpack fairy is pretty smart, she'll have no problem finding the backpacks!).  During the night the backpack fairy will come and leave some special gifts inside each backpack.  When morning comes, be sure to check inside the backpacks before leaving for the first day to see what she's left!

So, so easy!  It's just another way to make the first day of school a bit more fun and exciting, and not so nerve-racking!  

Here are some of the items our backpack fairy has left, but your fairy can leave whatever she wants.

Folders

Pencils/Pens

Crayons/Markers

Pencil Boxes

Binders

Erasers

Notebooks

A new book

A new shirt

A treat

A backpack decoration (think key chains)

A special note

Hand sanitizer

A new lunch box

These are just a few ideas.  I'm sure your fairy can come up with many, many more!

We've got the new backpacks, now we're just waiting for the night before school starts to set them out.  Can't wait to see what she brings this year!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Graduation Printable

I didn't have any plans to post a graduation printable today, but putting together my graduation playlist the other day completely got me in the graduation mood!  I couldn't stop at just a playlist, so I made a printable that's perfectly fitting for the graduates out there.

Click to Print

I still can't put my finger on the exact time or place I decided I wanted to be a teacher, but I know the decision was an easy one, and I started off on my dreams at the young age of 18.  I'm so glad I was able to find something I loved, and pursed it.  It really did enrich my life in more ways than I could ever imagine!

 College may not be where your dreams come true.  Dreams can take on many different faces, and take us in countless directions.  But follow them wherever they take you.  

Teaching was my dream in college, but that was just the beginning.  Then came my husband, my boys, and living as a family.  Life won't always be as perfect as you'd like, but that doesn't mean you can't have the life you've imagined.  Take what life gives you, and make it the life you've always wanted.  

Here's another quote I LOVE about dreams.

Dream beautiful dreams and then work to make those dreams come true.
-Spence W. Kimball

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Graduation Playlist {On Spotify}

Well, graduation season is upon us.  I have to tell you, making this playlist made me quite sentimental, and I don't have anyone close to me graduating from anything.  I think it just goes to show how special graduation time is, and the memories of it will last a lifetime.

I can still remember the feelings I had the night of my high school graduation, and it's been more years than I care to admit!  Such a fun time of life.  I'm really happy with where I am in life, and wouldn't want to go back to high school (well, maybe for a day) but I can't deny those were some of the best years of my life.  I look back with very fond memories of everything  I did, friends I made, and experience I had.  A time of life like no other, and it's definitely worth celebrating when it's all been said and done. 

I hated to leave high school, (a lot of you probably think I'm crazy) but really I had no idea what was in store for me.  There is plenty of life ahead, and many more wonderful memories to be had.   But to all the graduates out there, relish these last few days!  You'll remember them for the rest of your life!  
I have a bit of everything in this playlist.  It's not graduation without Pomp and Circumstance, and I have a few sappy songs like Friends from Michael W. Smith, and some very upbeat ones like (I've Had) The Time of My Life.  I hope there's enough variety that you'll be able to find a few songs that fit you and your graduate.
Just like all my other Spotify playlists, if you have a Spotify account (it's free!) you can hear my entire playlist when you're logged in.
And, incase you're in need of a quick and easy graduation gift, I have a printable just for you.  You can never go wrong with Dr. Seuss quotes!  I also have this quote in pink and yellow, so you can choose which color fits your graduate best.

Click to Print

Congrats to all the grads out there!  Just as Dr. Seuss says, "You're off to great places!  You're off and away!"  Enjoy!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found  little something worth your time.

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Another Teacher Appreciation Printable

Just popping in with one last teacher appreciation quote for you.  This one is probably most fitting for your elementary-aged kids, but I'm guessing those are the teachers that get recognized the most.  Why is that?  I think the WORLD of those middle school teachers, and high school teachers.  I hope you're appreciating them as well!

Click To Print

And incase you happen to need something for one of those amazing upper-grade teachers, don't worry I've got you covered!!  Here are three other teacher appreciation quotes you can check out.

Click to Print

Click to Print

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Four quick and easy printables for any teacher.  I hope I've given you enough motivation to show some sort of small token of appreciation to those teachers in you family's lives!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Printable Teacher Appreciation Quote

I have a very special spot in my heart for teachers everywhere.  Not only do I appreciate all the teachers my boys have had, but having done what they do for five years of my life, (a five years I will always treasure) I truly understand what it takes to be a teacher.

Click to Print

For those of you who are parents, think back to the day you brought your first baby home.  As wonderful and sweet as they are, they're work!  I remember my sister staying with us for a few days after my twins had come home, and by the second day she said, "this isn't quite as blissful as I thought it would be."  Amen!  You love them, they're wonderful, but until you're doing it every day on your own, you don't quite realize all the time, effort, and dedication that they require.

Well, teaching is pretty much the same.  You do send the kids home at the end of the day, and you have weekends, holidays, and a glorious summer vacation, but those days spent in the classroom require just about everything you have to give.  You have papers to grade, lesson plans to develop, test scores to keep you awake at night, parents to communicate with, professional developments to attend, classroom behavior to maintain, trouble on the playground to  deal with, and on and on.  Then teachers go home after a day of giving to their students, and have their own families to tend to as well.  Can you tell I respect these wonderful people?

Teacher appreciation week is May 5-10 this year, with teacher appreciation day on Tuesday, May 6.  I hope you will take the time to recognize your child's teacher and his/her efforts!  I know how appreciated it will be!

Here are two more of my teacher printables you can check out as well.

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Click to Print

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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