my new year

With summer fading behind us, the new school year feels like my January.  While summer is loose and carefree, fall is organized and ordered.  There are good things about both.  Thank goodness there are different seasons, so we can enjoy it all!

I was inspired by NieNie, and put together a back to school celebration for the kids.  One trip to michael's and we were ready to party. 

While at home this summer, the kids worked on filling the "brother sister bank"  (Thanks to kathryn for the simple, ingenious idea).  Whenever the kids were caught being good to each other, sharing, playing happily, encouraging eachother, etc, I randomly put money in the bank. They also were rewarded for following the family rules without fuss.

Together, the kids chose to spend the cash they earned at Chuck E. Cheese.  Our back to school fun(?) began there.  I think they were looking to torture me, but I went along for the ride.  It was their money afterall...

Later that night we had our back to school dinner. 

on the menu:  TJs alphabet pasta with meatballs, broccoli, and sparkling apple cider.

each of the kids received a table gift... new crayons, markers or colored pencils.

We then retired to the hallway  runway, for a back to school fashion show.  Berk and Stella donned their 1st day outfits and charlotte insisted, "I weara maay dresss!" (translation: I wear my dress!)  ok, charby, ok.

my little models.  Berk was really getting into character.  They all strutted to charlotte's favorite song, "The Best of Both Worlds".  Yes, you read that right, charlotte. loves. hannah. montana.

First ChuckE and now Hannah.  What have I done to my kids??

The night ended on a high, as Morgan gave each child a father's blessing.  Praying for their success and welfare during the coming school year.  

We rode the high of this night for a few days.  Small efforts made a big impact for the kids.  A first annual celebration, I believe!

Comments

[stacy t]

that was wonderful - thanks for sharing! you're just paying NieNie's idea forward. wouldn't the world be a better place with those wonderful ideas??

[Shelly]

i love that!!!! thanks for sharing!!

[sister]

can i be in YOUR family? oh wait, i am...remember how I always comment on your blog? need to chat...boys (sigh)

[queenieweenie]

I was planning on doing the back to school dinner but ended up too tired from switching kid's rooms and cleaning the entire house. I don't Spring Clean...I "back to school" Clean! We ended up going out for pizza. I really need to get my act together and do this though because it is SUCH a cute idea!

[sara]

what a fabulous idea, NieNie truly is inspiring, I spent 2 hours on her blog late the other night...wow. I love this idea and your table, decor, are so great. The brother sister jar is and idea I just might steal when Char gets old enough to understand.

Their outfits look so darling of course. We did Lewis' favorite meal (pizza) the night before his first day, and still need to do the blessing thing!

[maryclaire]

way to go mama!!!

[e]

in answer to your question...
The table is covered in green butcher paper (they were all out of black)! Just picked it up at Michael's (craft store) next to the wrapping stuff.
That way we were able to write on it with chalk. The kids had fun chalking too. We wrote down all our favorite summer memories and activities. That's on the video tape...

[jenny]

What a great celebration!

Thanks for sharing some of your day with us all. :D

[Mehrsa]

Oh my goodness Elizabeth! That is awesome. Your kids are so lucky! seriously. Where did you even get that tablecloth? And those presents would have been a dream for me when I was little. I loved all of that stuff--color pencils, markers, crayons...whatever.

Thanks for the backpack suggestions too. Great website.

[annie]

I love this!!! i loved NIeNie's idea, too and loved how you made it your own.

[marilee]

what a creative mom, you are elizabeth! love the fashion show pictures...

[liz stanley]

how CUTE! love it! and i love how you were inspired by nie nie. i'll have to do this too when henry gets older.

[Angela Williams]

Okay, how cute is that idea. What a fun mom and what a fun night. I am going to pack this away for just a few more years. I love it, thanks for sharing.