Simple School Communication Binder

9 / 18 / 1710 / 11 / 17

I can hardly believe that we’re through the first two weeks of school and into mid-September already… I know it’s such a ‘mom thing’ to say, but time just seems to pass more quickly each year. Here in Vernon we’ve already had our back to school BBQ, I’ve attended the first PAC meeting of the year, and Miss G will have her school photos taken this week. {Spoiler alert: I know what happens next. We’re all going to blink for just a split second and when our yes open, it’ll be time to prepare for Christmas. Time is cruel like that.} The good news is that Miss G is really enjoying her new school. She really likes both her teacher and the helping teacher in her class, she’s made some lovely little friends, and she already seems to feel quite at home there, which is more than I could have hoped for this early on.

Everything is coming along.

5 Natural Ways to Avoid Back-to-School Sicknesses

10 / 6 / 162 / 3 / 18

I hate to even say it for fear of ruining everything, but my goodness – we’ve made it all the way through September and the first week of October without getting the dreaded back-to-school sickness. {Thank goodness!} Several of Miss G’s friends have already fallen victim to the beginning of the year bug and I’m fairly certain that by this time last year, Miss G had been home sick twice {ugh}. Well, lesson learned. I’m smarter now. And this year I’m being much more proactive about helping Miss G {and the rest of our family} stay happy and healthy this fall.

Here are 5 natural ways to avoid back-to-school sicknesses that we’ve been using on the regular…

Printable Evening Routine Chart

9 / 10 / 169 / 18 / 16

September’s in full swing and with both Brad and Grae back at school, we’re getting back on track after a pretty laid back summer… Efficient mornings, weekly meal plans, early bedtimes – they’re all happening {and going pretty well, thankfully}.

Printable Morning Routine Chart

9 / 5 / 169 / 13 / 16

As much as I’ve been willing it not to come, back to school is just around the corner. Truth be told, I’m not ready. The rushed mornings, not seeing my girl for most of the day, helping Miss G emotionally work through all of what goes on at school… It just doesn’t sound like a ton of fun compared to the leisurely mornings, outings and adventures, and laid-back days we’ve been enjoying this summer. That being said, this year is a new year and I’m hopeful that Grae is going to have a wonderful teacher she connects with and feels comfortable with, which would be a total game changer for us. My ultimate hope? That she enjoys Grade One and is excited to go to school! {*fingers crossed*} Oh, I so hope she does.

The Kissing Hand: A Family Photo Book

9 / 11 / 159 / 21 / 15

Love From Home Family Photo Book | Mama Papa Bubba

This little ‘love from home’ family photo book has come in handy in so many situations. While I originally made it to help Miss G cope with heading back to Kuwait after a particularly lovely summer filled with family and friends, she’s held it close during all kinds of potentially difficult transition and separation periods – while I’ve been in Dubai for the weekend, while Brad’s been out of country for conferences, while missing her cousins back in home in Canada, while having troubles falling falling asleep, or after a bad dream – it’s provided her some comfort.

School Lunch Ideas Printable

9 / 9 / 159 / 10 / 15

Call me crazy, but I’m sincerely looking forward to packing school lunches for Miss G. Although she’ll only be attending Kindergarten half time, we’ve discussed whether to pick her up before lunchtime or after, and we’ve decided that picking her up after lunch might make for a better transition. We’ll see how things go of course and re-evaluate a few weeks in, but that’s the plan for now at least.

Easy Kid-Made Phone Number Bracelets

7 / 30 / 158 / 30 / 15

Now that we’re back in Canada and plan to be here for a while, one thing I really want to help Miss G learn is our cell phone numbers. We still haven’t decided whether or not she’ll go to traditional kindergarten next year, but even if she doesn’t, I think it’s a valuable thing to know.