Do Your Best!

Our back to school theme this year is “do your best.” Last year it was “do something nice for someone daily” and it really stuck with the kids all year. I am hoping this year they will focus on giving their best effort in all they do.

Our theme for the year

School started yesterday with four REALLY excited kids. The night before we had a big party and a “back to school” fashion show (an idea that I snatched from Nienie Dialogues). The kids had a blast! We also talked about our theme and goals for the year.

The morning before school each kid woke up and found a modern version of the German Schultüte set out for them. My good friend Sara found this idea on the internet and told me about it. Since most of my heritage comes from Germany I thought it would be a cool tradition to start so I did a very “last minute” attempt at one for each kid. They loved them!

Schultüte for each of the school kids

Some years I look forward to school more than others but this wasn’t one of those years. I was dreading the kids going back to school – as strange as that may sound. I love having them home in the summer and I love the flexibility and freedom we have. After dropping off the three oldest, I cried my way back home. I miss them. I am sure I will adjust soon enough but it was a little bitter-sweet for me.

Jake, Meg and Kk in their “back to school” outfits.

Claire headed out at 12:30 for her first day of preschool. She asked me every 30 minutes if it was time to go. By the time it did start I was ready for her to go! 🙂 She had a great time and I was thrilled she got to be with Miss Barbara (so glad she came back after taking a year off). Each of my kids had her for preschool and we love her!

Claire SO excited for school!

Claire getting ready to head inside.

My calendar is already full with soccer practices, guitar and piano lessons, dance, scouts, and much more. School work is slowly piling in and should get heavy fast. Both Jake and Meg are doing the A.L.L. classes this year (accelerated learning) which more than doubles the normal homework load. I am a little nervous about it but I am sure they will do just fine. Everyone came home from their first day of school all smiles and couldn’t wait to tell Seth and me about how great their teachers and classes were.

So here is to a new, exciting school year full of fun, friends and lots of learning!