Back to School Countdown {A Recycled Advent Calendar}

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.

Linking up to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.

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.

Linking up to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.

How To Make Your Own Back To School Labels Using PicMonkey

I had every intention of having a fun new back to school printable all ready to go for today, but it just didn't happen.  One of my twins had his tonsils and adenoids out this morning, and while everything went really, really well, I haven't had a lot of free time on my hands.

So, I have a repost from last year's back to school ideas.  This is a tutorial on how to make your own back to school labels in PicMonkey.  They have a fabulous School U theme that has all sorts of school overlays and fonts to use.  I like personalizing my boys' things before school starts so we can easily keep track of them throughout the school year.  So, I'm thinking a tutorial is better than an actual printable.  That way you can personalize your kid's belongings however you'd like.  

Click here for the entire post on how to make your own back to school labels in PicMonkey.

Enjoy the rest of your day.  I'm off to more popsicles and movies with my little guy.  He's been such a great patient, and his brothers have been more than helpful!  I'm one blessed mommy!

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

Linking up to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.

Back to School Round Up 2014

It's the first week of August, and I am in full-back-to-school- swing here at Blissful Roots.  Be sure to visit all week long for all the back to school tips and ideas you'll need to make the beginning of this year extra special.  My boys love school, but they get the first day jitters every year, so we do what we can to make the first day of school a bit more exciting and anticipated.

I know I say this often, but I'm constantly amazed at all the talent that's so readily available out there in blogland.  I had intended to share just a few ideas for today's round up, but wound up with 20!  I couldn't stop!  So, here are 20 of my favorite back to school ideas that have inspired me to get going on some great back to school projects.  I hope they'll do the same for you!

Vintage Ball Jar Teacher Gift from Lil' Luna

Back to School Photo Shoot from Clickin Moms

How to Plan a Back to School Party from Pottery Barn Kids

Back to School Printables from I Heart Naptime

School Supplies Price List from Surviving the Stores

Vinatge School Day Printables and Photoshoot from Anders Ruff

Back to School Apple Party from Just Call Me Martha

You're So Sharp Printable from eighteen25

Back to School Organizing: Packing Lunches from I Heart Organizing

Back to School Party Invitations from Purple Trail

Candy Crayons from Our Best Bites

Free School Fonts from Lolly Jane

Back to School Cupcakes

Printable Back to School Reading Log from Simple As That

Printable Lunch Box Notes from Paper Crave

K-12 Back to School Printables from I Heart Naptime

 Chalkboard & Backpack Station from I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Back to School Books from A Year of Many Firsts

Back to School Countdown from Blissful Roots

PicMonkey's Back to School Overlays/Clipart from Blissful Roots

Inspired, or a bit overwhelmed?  So many ideas,  I know!  Just choose one or two you'd like to try this year.  Your kids will love you for it!  

I know when I taught making my room warm and inviting for back to school night was always a lot of fun, definitely some work, but totally worth it when my little first graders walked in the room and had happy, excited looks on their faces!  The same goes for being a mom. I don't have a classroom any more, but I can make our home a fun and exciting place for that oh-so-important first day of school!

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

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Back to School Round Up

My twins are finishing up their first week of school today.  It's been a successful week!  Definitely a bit of a learning curve (for all of us), but overall it's been a good experience.

The other day I realized several of my older posts kind of fit into the back to school category, so I decided to make a round up.  I know many of us are already into school, but it seems that once the first week is over, then I can settle into a routine and do some of the things I've been meaning to do.  So, here's a few back to school ideas for you to use this year, or to keep for years to come.

DIY ABC Tree

DIY Back to School Labels

Back to School Countdown

New School U Theme from PicMonkey

Using Word Walls

Teacher  Appreciation Printable

Another Teacher Appreciation Printable

DIY Bookmarks

Tips For Helping Your Beginning Readers

More Tips For Helping Your Beginning Readers

Hopefully you can use some of these ideas to help make this school year a good one.

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

Linking up to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.