Monday, August 22, 2011

First Day of School

We started school a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to plan something very special for our first day of school since we had such fun with our special day last year.

A fun piece of fabric made a great tablecloth - the edges aren't hemmed or anything fancy, it is a piece from my stash that I just put over a folding card table.


Canning jars filled with crayons and a candle on top are a cute dress-up for the table! And, the pencil vase centerpiece was a repeat from another first day of school. I made mock-chalkboards out of black construction paper and brown kraft paper for placemats and topped plates with free markers (after rebate at Walgreens).

I found a vintage children's picture dictionary in perfect condition at a garage sale this summer and cut some fun words out to say, "Happy First School Day" - I laminated these and backed them with other fun words beginning with a, b, c and d. Taped onto wooden skewers, these looked super cute standing in Chanel bottles (thanks, Mom!)

I adorned our chalkboards with verses reminding of the benefits of seeking wisdom. We've been learning this sweet song/prayer over our school days.

And, I'm planning to settle down and read through this soon and let it all soak in, and become a prayer as well.

When thinking of homeschool, I also love this post by Ann Voskamp.

For breakfast, I made pancakes the day before. I borrowed a set of alphabet cookie cutters and cut out names for a fun breakfast.

After breakfast, the coloring began! And, of course, we had to take pictures in front of our growth chart and complete our Time Capsule!

Once school was complete, we had a fun work-together lunch! Teddy Bear Biscuit Pizzas and colorful fruit skewers:

And a fun treat for dessert that night after dinner:

Here's an inspiring link to another beautiful back-to-school breakfast! Will you plan something fun or special for back to school?

21 comments:

LynnMarie said...

How fun! Great start to the school year.

Angela said...

This is very precious. I miss those days. My dd is almost 24 now.

Mom said...

Oh my goodness -- what an adorable breakfast and lunch on a special day! Have a great school year :)
-- Love, Mom/Grammie

*carrie* said...

Wow, Monica, you went all out. Such beautiful details, food, and kiddos! =)

Amy said...

BEAUTIFUL!

Wendi said...

How fun!

Katy said...

How fun! Everything looks wonderful! You make things so much fun for your children! They will have lovely memories of their childhood!

Flyonthewall said...

Oh, if I were a child I would beg you to adopt me! What a delightful way to start the homeschool year! We're going into our eleventh year of homeschooling, and I only have one left for a few more years. My only regret...that we didn't start homeschooling from the very beginning in Kindergarten with our oldest. But the Lord led us in His timing, and for that I am truly thankful!!!! God bless your upcoming year, and may your little ones be mightly blessed as they learn and grow in Him!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, Monica! You really outdid yourself this year. How adorable it all is! Emily looks like a typical little first grader on her first day of school!
I almost wish I was school age again, and could be in your school!

Have a great year.

Love, Grandma/Nana

Unknown said...

I'm hoping to do a scaled down version of this party:
http://justcallmemarthaa.blogspot.com/2011/01/back-to-school-apple-party-for-imara.html
I just love how the colors pop off the chalkboards and the printables are so cute!
I hadn't thought about doing it as a breakfast though... Thanks for that inspiration!

Julie said...

What a lovely celebration and such sweet memories your children will one day cherish! Thanks for sharing -

angie said...

Wow~ this post is full of so many wonderful ideas! I especially love the simple idea of using black construction paper as a chalkboard placemat. What a great time to remember to measure the kiddos--I know mine have grown over the summer. Best wishes for a prosperous school year.

Elaine said...

I want to be a little girl in your home. What awesome ideas for making the first day of school so very special!!!!

Joy said...

This was so cool! Loved all of your ideas!

Flannel Jammies Farm said...

The perfect way to start school, full of love, brightness, and creativity! Thank you for sharing this!!!

Barbra said...

Dear Monica.........I just love how you love your children Monica -- what a beautiful gift you have given your Little Ones for their own "time capsule" into adulthood -- they will always remember how special their Momma made "1st Day" for them! Something tells me that there will be a multitude of 'memories just as sweet' along the school year for your wee ones as they learn along the way Monica......so beautifully done!

God Bless you and your Sweet, Little "Students" Monica,
Barbra.

Leanne said...

I totally loved what you did with the children's dictionary! I need to find one of those!

Bran said...

Monica,
I love it! What a fun day!

Blissful & Domestic said...

Thanks for the great ideas. Our first day is this Monday. Can't wait! I love it when you share home school stuff. It is the reason I feel in love with your blog:>

Patty said...

Cute, cute, cute!

Angel said...

What a lovely memory!