The Back to School Feast.

Back to School.  To be honest, I have never liked the start of a new school year.  The type A part of my personality loves getting fresh school supplies.  Sharp pencils, highlighters and post-it flag notes ... but the type B part of my mourns the loss of freedom and laziness.  Even as a teacher, my mom wrote notes to my principal ... excusing me from returning.  I always showed up ... but saying goodbye to summer has never been easy! 

I love traditions ... celebrations ... nights to remember and I knew when our Joshua started his first year of school, we were going to being having a Back to School Feast.  

 Our theme ... "Be Kind."  

 Each school bound child received a fancy crown (Eli starts preschool next week) ... 

 and although one of my children was a bit nervous to wear such craziness on his head(ahem ... my oldest was fearful I was going to make him wear this outside of our house) ... he was totally game when he realized it was for our celebration and within the four walls of our home!

 A centerpiece made of fresh school supplies ... 

 The KINDERGARTNER ... 

 THE PRESCHOOLER ... 

 We even had an object lesson.  Ben talked to the boys about kindness being like honey.  We had the boys sip lemonade that was missing SUGAR!

 E was clearly not amused by the deletion of such an important ingredient!!

 And then Ben had the boys add sugar as an illustration for how our words and actions are much sweeter with kindness added to the mix ... 

 And if you know me ... you can't pass up the opportunity to make a shirt to mark the occasion.  Joshua requested a roadrunner shirt ... (the mascot of his new school).  

 The evening was also a bit of a post-birthday celebration for yours truly.  My mom made me the most delicious lemon meringue pie.  And made it extra sour (just how I like it)!  (I realize now ... that is a bit strange given the theme of the evening!  Oops!) 

And at the end of the evening ... a four generation picture with us all (after a zillion attempts over the past thirteen months) looking at the camera!  

HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL, Joshua and Eli!  Audrey ... what are we going to do with all the time on our hands next week?  This could be FUN!!!