A New School Year and a Honey Do list

With end of summer quickly approaching its time to prepare for the new school year.
Each year as our K12 virtual school supplies ship to our house I go through a moment of panic.  I never feel like I'm as organized as I would like to be.  Why is there a magnifying glass in the Lego box and a pair of princess shoes in our counting cubes?

I am in serious need of a school room over haul and I recently found a website with great FREE woodworking plans. Ana White Homemaker, I love this blog.  Hoping to get my husband to put all his nifty power tools to use.

I want to start with storage. I love the plans for this general storage bin bookshelf. Perfect for my toddlers and I'm sure the older kids would love one for themselves as well.  I am tired of the ugly blue storage containers we use right now. Sure their great when I pack toys away for rotation but not for everyday use.  There is also this much larger storage unit. Locker and Hutch for the Cube collection

Then there is this Brookstone desk project. The high shelves would be a hit with my older daughters so they can keep their treasures out of the hands of the destructive duo.  (A piggy bank that was a gift from a friend was broken recently.. we have two culprits and neither is informing on the other.)

Then for the arts and crafts table this table would be perfect!  Maybe then I could give my mom back her 6ft plastic folding table.  I have had it for over 2 years now, after borrowing it for a party at my house.  I should just buy her a new one.

For now I will settle for a heavy handed purge on toys. No, you do not need to keep a toy you got from some random fast food joint that in reality is only half the toy because you don't know where the rest of it is.  A few month ago I actually went through and took 3 huge storage tubs of toys away. You would think that would cut down on the mess.  Wish me luck! Time to crank up some music and take on the beast that has become our school/play room this summer.

Tips for Future Kindergarten Parents

Every year children are sent off to school for the first time.  As a parent it can be exciting and stressful time.  I have been through the first day of kindergarten 3 times now.  It does get easier.  The better prepared you and your child are, the better this day will go.


Riding the bus to school. Yes, I let my child on her first day of kindergarten ride the bus to school her first day of school.  No, I did not follow the bus to school.
Make friends with the kids at your bus stop or in your neighborhood. Positively praise the other children as well as your own for positive behavior shown at the bus stop.  It makes them strive to be better.  Most older children would love the opportunity to mentor a younger child.


Visit the school before the first day of school. Most schools have a welcome open house before the actual first day of school.  It will not only help your child feel more secure on their first day of school, but you as well.

Communication is key.  It is extremely important to have good communication between your child's teacher and yourself.  Takes the time to talk to the teacher.  Ask what things you could be working on at home that will help you child to succeed.  Be a partner in education.

Even though we have moved on to virtual home school, all 3 of my school age children went to kindergarten in a standard public school.   I hope that your school district is better ran than my own. I pray that the teachers are not forced to attempt to teach to classes miserably over crowded. Good luck on your child's school journey.  This is the first step.  Foster their love for learning.  All kids are naturally curious, don't let a bad school/teacher experience take that from your child.