This time next week my older daughter, Emma will indeed be starting back to school, but now she is hitting the big time entering Kindergarten.
Many who follow and read my blog know that I have all sorts of mixed emotions about this and admit that I am a bit all over the place about this even having bared my soul a bit here.
First of all, we have what is called, “Sail Into Kindergarten” for a little over an hour on Thursday, which pretty much welcomes her and all the other kindergartners starting with her this year.
I have had the letter with her little passport that needs to be stamped along her tour and meet up in my possession for over a month now. Cannot believe we will be using it this week.
Also, if you notice me a little less present on my blog and social media from Thursday on through the holiday weekend, you will know why, because with this event, plus the last summer long weekend and school indeed starting, I am going to step back to just take it all in. I promise, I will be back raring to go once it is all said and done, but am thinking I need to be there to experience all these moments right now.
However, we picked up supplies last week and they are all labeled and ready to be brought with us on Thursday to drop off in her classroom for the year, as well as to meet her new teacher (yes we finally got the letter with her teacher and room assignment, as well).
Emma’s Sunflowers Finally Grew!!Her sunflower seeds grew not one, but three sunflowers in total, which I explained here how she was indeed growing sunflowers to visually understand when it would time to start kindergarten. Symbolically the flowers blossomed and so did Emma this summer!
By the way, in case you missed it, I also recently wrote and shared some Back to School Tips here.
However I thought, I would also showcase one of my favorite back-to-school crafts from last week’s Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, which was from Confessions of an Over-Worked Mom with this handy Back to School Teacher Survivor Kit, which the teacher in me thought was the most perfect back to school teacher gift I had come across online since we are indeed all heading back to school here.
This is a tumbler with straw (doubles as nice beverage holding container) that was stuffed with all sorts of goodies for teachers, including Boogie Wipes (the teacher and parent in me loves these) for all the dirty little fingers, sharpies, pens pencils, erasers, tissues, post-its and even Emergen-C to keep teachers healthy as a new germ infested school and flu season re-emerges, too.
Seriously, check this out here and go say thank you to Ellen for this awesome idea now!!
Now, onto the hop!!
The last week of August? Really? Talk about time flying when you’re having fun! This month has just flown by and we HAVE had FUN!
Today’s most viewed post is absolutely no surprise. Just look at the title and you will see why! “3 Seconds to an Organized Husband” by Coconut Head Survival Guide. Were you one of the ones who clicked on it the moment you saw it? I was!!!
Thank you so much for our wonderful AUGUST co-hosts!
If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit their blogs or follow them, now is the time.
You’ll find their links below.
♥ Show ’em lots of love. ♥
- Please follow our host and co-hosts in as many ways possible (social media links below)
- PLEASE TWEET THIS PARTY !!!! We want everyone to know about it!
- Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like, no giveaways please.
- Visit three or more others. Let them know you’ve been there!
- When you are PINNING, remember to do it from the original post. ♥
- If you are new, be sure to let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥
- Thanks for joining us!
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Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Kindergarten is bittersweet – especially with our oldest kids. It will be ok and she will totally rock it.
Bill says
For some reason, we forgot to plant sunflowers this year. We won’t make that mistake again next spring, because I love them. Hope you had a great day, Janine.
Ginny Marie says
I’m so jealous of your sunflowers! I tried to grow mine, but something kept eating the seeds and the sprouts. I suspect the squirrels!
Kim says
Wow – your linkup is huge!!! So many great posts here!
I’m glad that you are giving yourself the long weekend to soak up and enjoy before school starts!!!
Echo says
How exciting! I am so glad that Kids In The Kitchen was popular!
Lizzy - Muddle-Headed Mamma says
I love the sunflower planting idea! Sending you lots of positive energy for the start of Emma’s kindergarten journey. xxx
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Love that Back to School teacher gift idea…my sister in law one year gave my kids Starbucks tumblers with money in them and I thought that was an awesome idea too!
Amanda @ Growing Up Madison says
I so love the planting sunflowers idea. You just gave me an idea for when it’s time for Madison to go into Kindergarten. This linkup is huge but with a lot of great posts.
will be checking out a few myself. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Camille says
Good luck on Emma’s first day of Kindergarten! For us, it was definitely harder on me than it was on Kay!!
Kimberly says
Hello cute lady! What a fun party. Thanks for hosting. Please come and party with us. We would love to see what you have been working on. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com
Happy Wednesday! Lou Lou Girls
Dara says
good luck on the first day!
Rosey says
What a fun way to use the Boogie Wipes! I have mixed feelings about school starting too. I don’t want the kids to go back, Janine!!
Kristi Campbell says
Janine, how are we going to get through this kindergarten thing? We have Tucker’s orientation tomorrow as well, and luckily, he gets to go a little early to meet his teacher and tour the classroom without all the kids there (because he will shut down a little and needs to know where the bathroom is!!!). OMG sweets – seriously. Thinking of you and we’ll have to cry online to each other Tuesday morning!
Tamara says
Holy cow – these pins.
I’m with you here. We had a kindergarten info session in the winter that I nearly had an anxiety attack in. Then there was official registration – same. I managed to hold it together for orientation. And same for the playdates every Thursday of August.
Next week is another orientation and then the first day.
Hold me!
Chris Carter says
AW!!! Those sunflowers are GORGEOUS!! I’m so glad not just one but THREE bloomed!! And I am praying for your heart to be a ease about school starting soon, and I do hope you embrace and ENJOY your long weekend Janine!!
Good for YOU!!! Love you so much. XOXOXO Last HOORAH! You’re doin’ it right girl!
Jen@JENerallyInformed says
What a sweet activity for beginning kindergarteners! I love it.
You take the time you need and enjoy all of the fun end of summer activities and getting your girl ready for her BIG day 🙂
Ellen Christian says
Thanks so much for sharing my craft! Off to check out the others. Sharing!
Melanie Chisnall says
Oh my goodness, those sunflowers look DIVINE! I can’t believe that we’re already into the last part of the year… Christmas decorations on the shelves next month, crazy! Hope you’re having a lovely Thursday 🙂
Alison says
Aw, it must be such an emotional time for all of you. She will love kindergarten though!
Sunflowers are my favorite, so gorgeous and happy.
lisacng @ expandng.com says
Congrats on the new year starting and nice that the sunflowers’ growth coincided with the start of the new year. Sounds like a great school already with all the events planned leading up to that day.
Tiki says
Stopping by to say hi. I haven’t seen you around in a bit and figured you were super busy with back to school. Email me when you get a chance. I want to ask you something
Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly says
I totally feel with you, Janine!! Come Septembet 16, Lily will officially be a first-grader. Can’t believe it!!
Brittnei says
It really is hard to believe that it is the last week of August. I love the symbolism of Emma blossoming and her sunflowers blooming too! They looks so beautiful. I totally get why you would step away. Enjoy the moments!
Leah says
Hope the first day was great! It is such a special time. Soak it all in!! xo
Aunt Gloria says
Amazing Sunflowers! You go Emma! See you soon…….xxxxxooooo
Rosey says
I know I was already here. I’m just poking around visiting. And Hokey Smokes, I had to scroll 500 years to get to the bottom. I was smiling ear to ear. Look at all those link-ups, that’s awesome!! 🙂
another jennifer says
We’re *almost* ready for school to start. My kids start next week. Biz is nervous about kindergarten. It’ll be emotional for the both of us! I can understand stepping back and taking it all in. I’ve had a busy few weeks where I let reading and commenting on blogs (and responding to comments on mine!) go. We all need a breather sometimes. 🙂
Rea says
Awww Janine! Really love the Sunflower-Emma comparison. True enough, she has grown along with the beautiful sunflower. It’s refreshing to see blooming flowers and I really wish you the best in being a Kindergarten mom to Emma. I’m sure the journey is gonna be worth it. GO ahead and take it all in. Gonna be checking your blog always! 🙂
Tara Newman says
Well, its Sunday and I first getting to your Wednesday post so you can see where I am at right now! I LOVE when schools do those welcome/meet the teacher days. I find them SO helpful. We go every year to the schools meet the teacher and it is a highlight of my kids summer to preview the school and meet their new teacher. It’s one of my favorite back to school traditions. We also do extra things for the kindergarteners so they can get more acquainted. What an exciting time!
and I had no idea you have this lovely (and gigantic) link up going on over here on Wednesdays. Enjoy your holiday weekend. We are still purging, selling stuff on craigslist and redecorating.
Kenya G. Johnson says
Well I’m going to click on the organized husband link for sure! LOL. I hope you having a wonderful weekend taking it all in 😉 Best wishes for the first day of big girl school!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says
What a great back to school gift!! I love that craft 🙂 he sunflowers are glorious too 🙂
Rabia @TheLiebers says
I love that sunflower idea! What a great way to get the kids excited about Kindergarten!