Thursday, August 09, 2012

First Day of School


Two years ago I started a little tradition that has been so fun! We have a special and super fun breakfast on the first day of school to kick things off for the year and get our focus on pursuing wisdom and God's ways.

I've been planning and pinning ideas and visualizing this year's breakfast! But, it's different this year. Last week, our littles begged to start school one day and we'd already had breakfast! So we had our first day and then had our fun breakfast all together with Daddy too on Saturday morning.

At any rate, I had so much fun putting this together! Really, spending the time "styling" a meal or event makes me so happy, makes me feel so me and so alive. It energizes me and makes my eyes sparkly. It's worship.

Taking the pictures of this beauty is just the cherry on top for me - I just love it! With that said, these were hard pictures to take because of the lighting and my flash dislike, so there you go - not perfect, but definitely capturing our fun!













Themes are usually inspired by one thing for me and then sort of build from there. This year, it was this set of back to school printables. One little printed piece of paper just inspired the whole thing!

I had also wanted to make this adorable ruler wreath this year - and used some of the printed patterns to make a little bunting for the wreath. I made the sunflower a few years ago but this one had lost its stem.

After that, I just shopped my house and fabric stash and came up with everything else. The fabric is just pieces laid together and the squares of green just sort of happened because they were already cut for something {?} and had already cut the hydrangeas for a gathering the night before.

For breakfast, I made small pancakes and yogurt parfaits. We read part of Proverbs 2 during breakfast and talked about wisdom vs. foolishness. Then, we pulled out our Time Capsule. We had fun looking at the last two years and making our pages for this year!

Later in the afternoon, we did a craft and took our back to school photos - more to come next week!

16 comments:

Christy Stanton said...

I love the chalk board with the proverbs verse! I also like the scrabble names and Mom's red coffee cup!;) What a great beginning to a new school year!

LynnMarie said...

Nice job there mom! The room looks like fall as well which I love. I love the summer heat but the colors of fall are my favorite!

Mom said...

Awesome -- have a great school year!! :) Love, Mom

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

I love it. Monica... you sure don't miss a beat. I think you're pure inspiration.

You know. I'm not planning on homeschooling (at least this point in life) but you sure do add some "curb appeal" and make it quite tempting.

I love that you invest so much creativity and specialness to your family on a daily basis. You're girls are going to have quite the memories (your little guy, too!)...of their mama.

Anonymous said...

Lovely! How special you made everything ♥ I feel inspired! We are starting school in another week. I may have to try doing something special. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas. Absolutely LOVE that chalkboard with the scrolled edges!!! Have a blessed year!

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

How fun is this :) :) I love the idea of a special back-to-school breakfast...and incorporating Scripture and Christ into the everyday things of life...so sweet :) :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

Hattie said...

Hi, Heather,
I always love your ideas. My littles have been long gone (Twins are now thirty!)but I still love to think of their school days.

Remember a few years ago you made a pencil vase. I used that idea and it was the centerpiece for a party that I gave for us sixty-something year old classmates.

Love your blog!

Wendi said...

So creative. Who wouldn't be inspired to learn in that environment?!

Enjoy your day!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely charming, Monica!
Love it! Have a great school year.

Love you all, Grandma/Nana

Aimee said...

So wonderful!! I feel so inspired!! Where did you get the green doily in the hoop art? Can't wait to implement some of these ideas.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Aimee: the green doily came from Michael's $2 - near they Dollar Bins. :)

Valerie said...

So cute and inspiring! Great way to start off the school year!

~katie~ said...

Darling display!!! I bet your students were thrilled! Love all the effort and specialness you put in.

Excited for school!

Tracey said...

Wow - this is amazing!! We also have a tradition of celebrating our first day of school with a special breakfast, though mine's typically not as beautiful as yours!! You've inspired me to add a little more "pretty" to my table this year!

Elaine said...

This is so cute....what sweet memories you are making. Where did you get those adorable jars with milk? So cute.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Elaine: milk jars are just canning jars with zinc lids - I punched a hole in the lids and slipped a straw inside :)