Back to School Party

Today marks day one of a new school year. Big yellow buses and a trail of cars will be dropping off the children at the doorstep. And all of the teachers thinking: "Ready or not, here they come!"

One of these years, I'd love to host a back-to-school party - it would sure get everyone excited about the big day! There's tons of inspiration online, but here are a few of my favorite party ideas:

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How cute are these place settings?

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These would be awesome party favors!

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Apple cupcakes and school bus cookies? Yes please!

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Don't forget the drinks!

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A pretty display couldn't hurt!

What about you? Have you ever been to or thrown a back to school party?

For New Year's Eve

As far as I can remember, our New Year's Eve plans have been booooooring (yawn!) And this year is no exception.

I'm just not a night owl and we don't live near the kind of friends who are up for partying all night!

The one exception to this was the New Year's Eve of 1999. My whole family took a trip to Egypt that year to visit my best friend (whose family are also missionaries). We rung in the year 2000 on a boat in the Nile river - it was definitely something to remember!!

Are you planning a shindig to celebrate the new year? If so, I found some charming printables you might want to take a look at:

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Happy party planning! I'll be living vicariously through all of you :)

I wish......

I wish Life was an eternal Saturday morning!

With a yummy hot breakfast:

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And a bottomless cup of coffee:

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And lazing around in pajamas:

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And even watching cartoons:

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My version of heaven is an eternal Saturday morning... with all the possibilities of a great weekend ahead! Happy Saturday, friends!

An Ode to the Lemonade Stand

The other day, as I was driving home from school in the stifling triple digit heat, I saw a little boy (with his mom nearby) set up on the corner of my street with a lemonade stand.

He was maybe six or seven, and waving enthusiastically at all the cars whizzing by. When I pulled into my driveway, I grabbed the dog and a few quarters and doubled back to the lemonade stand. I just couldn't help it. You've gotta support local businesses.... right?!


Below, some charming representations of the classic lemonade stand:

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Did you ever sell lemonade as a kid? I'm so glad this classic tradition is still around, aren't you?

Back to School is officially here!

I go back to school today! Actually, we have a week full of professional development meetings before any of the kiddos arrive. You know, in case we forgot how to teach over the summer...

In honor of this momentous occasion, I leave you with some back-to-school inspiration:

source via Pinterest 

source via Pinterest  

source via Pinterest  

source via Pinterest  

source via Pinterest 

source via Pinterest

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The Waiting Game

Do you play the waiting game? I do. I try not to, but I do. On the first day of school, I'm counting down to Thanksgiving break. When we come back from that, I'm counting down the three more weeks until Christmas vacation. In January, I look ahead to our week long Spring Break in March. Upon returning to school, I count down the weeks/days/hours until the ultimate break: Summer.

I'm not alone. Many teachers do this. It's not that we don't like our jobs, it's just that it's draining, and those breaks are our refills - they allow us to want to come back to the classroom, better than ever.

I came across this last weekend:

It was a poignant reminder (especially with six more school days to go before summer) to enjoy each and every single day, no matter if it's a Monday or a Friday or September or May.

I made a list of things I can enjoy here and now, each and every day:

• Coming home to Barney's excitement
• Sipping a cup of hot tea
• Eating dinner on the couch with Max
• Taking the dog for a walk
• Playing with my cats
• Dreaming new card designs
• Connecting with a friend
• Wearing flip flops
• Talking to my sister on the phone
• Reading a good book
• Laughing with my first graders

What's on your enjoy-life-now list?