back to school

As we start our second week of school and the routine I crave I must admit I do miss the children.  However, I do relish the routine.  Don’t get me wrong, I do like the freedom and being together (all day every day) of the summer but it’s hard to keep things fresh for 8-9 weeks! That’s a lot of pressure on a parent. It’s nice when they are little and go wherever you want to go or have input into the schedule but once they get old enough to not like any ideas or, worse, shrug indifference at your

This weekend is the last long weekend of the summer and then it’s back to school on Tuesday! A few weeks ago I started to panic about it. I have no idea why but for some reason I think I must declutter and get things out of the house to make room for all the papers and such that come home each day. It doesn’t help that I still have to sort through all the items they brought home at the beginning of the summer! I also feel that a clean home will make it easier to do homework in.

Every year I get a little “back to school freak out” going on. I have no idea why. It’s a mix of excitement, anxiousness, and what do I need to do all racing around my brain. Earlier this month I went through the children’s drawers to clean out the too-small items. I stocked up on what we were low on and hubby bought them new indoor and outdoor shoes at a back-to-school BOGO sale. To avoid full-out panic I’m trying to do one thing a day. Today it’s laundering the lunch bags and back packs. Somehow we have a ton

Are you getting your little ones ready for school? My two are both entering full-day school this September so it’s a first for me to have full-day every day. I’m grateful to all the bloggers out there sharing tips for healthy school meal plans, freezer lunches, checklists, what to buy and homework stations. Here are some of my favourite sites so far. Please feel free to link up any links you have written and/or come across that you think would help in organizing getting ready for school. I will continue to add more as I find interesting links. 30 Days

Last year in junior kindergarten, our daughter got homework. Our school has full day every other day for kindergarten (e.g. Tuesday, Thursday, alternating Fridays). The teacher found that the kids needed to keep their letter writing and sounding going on the days they were not in school to keep up their skills. It seemed like a lot but Ava shot to the top of her class for letter recognition and sound identification. We couldn’t argue too much! This year as a senior kindergarten, Ava is learning to read. She gets a home reading bag sent every week and we are

This is my first year having a child in school. I am so grateful to other blog posters for inspiring me to consider what we will make for our teacher (who will also teach my daughter next year in senior kindergarten). Here is some fabulous inspiration if you need some. Crayon Teacher’s Gift by I Should Be Mopping The Floor Teacher Treats by Sweetheart Moments Anybody else come across some easy, inexpensive yet thoughtful ideas?

My daughter is in junior kindergarten. She just turned 5 this month. She has full-day school Tuesday and Thursdays with the occasional Fridays. The teacher has assigned homework since this schedule is consistently inconsistent. I don’t know how the other parents fare but it is a struggle for us to get it done with her on a weekly basis. It seems a little much also as it is 3 full pages of the letter of the week and colouring. Don’t tell anyone but sometimes I agree to colour one picture while she colours in the other six. It’s so boring sitting