Back to School 2018-2019

  Back to School 

I am one of those moms who absolutely LOVES having all my kids home everyday during the summer. I know that these days go by so fast and I just embrace the crazy knowing that not everyday will be ideal. I dread all things back to school. The supply shopping, the strict schedule, the stress, homework, and much more. We have a few traditions that we like to do each year to make the process more fun for us all. 

1.  School Clothes Shopping: 3-4 weeks before school starts we take a family day and all go shopping together. We grab all our faves and cram into the biggest fitting room they have. Yes it gets crazy and I feel like I'm running the WHOLE time getting different sizes and hanging clothes but they love it. We usually break up the day with a nice lunch or end the day with a supper out eating of their choice. 

(places I like to shop for the kids) 

-Justice 

-Old Navy

-Carters 

   2. Fashion Show:The evening we get home from school shopping the kids like to separate all their clothes and model them for us (mom & dad). They go in a room together and all get dressed and walk out one at a time for us to see the entire outfit. Its so exciting to them. We just set on the couch and enjoy every second. 

  3. Family Dinner: The night before school starts we have a family dinner (which is hard to do with our busy schedules to get everyone to set down and eat together).  I cook their favorite meal and we just talk all things back to school. What they are excited about, not excited about, goals for the year, friends, favorite subject.  Its nice to just listen to how they are feeling about it all. 

 This years Menu 

Spaghetti, cheesy green beans, salad, and garlic bread

    4. Breakfast: I cook a big breakfast of their choice the first day. Some years its bacon and eggs and some years its simple. This year they requested cherry turnovers (and no not homemade… from a box). 

    5. Sign: I always order a first day of school sign or use a chalk board we have used before to write their grade and year on. We take a photo that morning before school with these. 

   6. Dad takes the morning off: The first day Matt always takes the morning off to take on the crazy morning with me and help get the kids ready. Then we go together to drop them off. Its important for us to be there together for these milestones when we can. 

• This Year is Mavericks first year of all day school and my momma heart was not sure I could handle it. Last year he attempted MDO 5 times and hated it. It broke my hear to see him cry so we decide he was not ready and we would wait till this year. We had a lot going on last year with the move. So honestly I wasn't sure how things would go the first day. He did AMAZING. We walked him in and his teacher greeted him right away and took him right to his seat. He was all smiles. He started talking to the little boy next him like they were friends forever. My heart was instantly at ease but at the same time I new the water works were coming. MY baby is growing UP. He kept looking back up at Matt and I too make sure we were still there and as he watched other parents leaving. I think it  hit him, that we were leaving as well. I could tell if we hung around much longer he was going to cry. So we smiled big and said "we love you buddy, see you after school". We walked out and then came mommas tears. Why are these moments so hard?! Im excited to see his independence this year. 
•  Taylor is in 4th grade this year and is so excited to have Mrs. Varner as her teacher. Taylor is so smart and loves her friends but girlfriend is a homebody. She would choose to stay at home with her family over anything else. CHANGE is so hard for her. She is a girl of routine and all is great in her world until you change it. The few days before school starts back she struggles sleeping and is filled with questions. She worries about EVERYTHONG.  It usually takes her about a week to get back in the swing of things and then she is good to go. I always try to talk her through the anxiety and reassure her that everything will be great. She is pretty care free until  you get he rout of her element. I'm so excited to watch her grow this year.  
• Teegan is in Middle school this year!! I can not believe its that time already! She was nervous about the change of buildings this year and not knowing her way around but otherwise pretty confident. She was at ease after meet the teacher night and she learned all her classes are mostly in one hallway. Teegan loves a challenge and enjoys keeping busy so I know she will do great things this year. Middle school is tough and I pray that she uses her faith to help her rise above any fear or worry. I pray that she stays true to who she is. She is excited for all the sports she is doing this year and we are so excited to watch her continue to grow into a strong young lady. 
• Tenleigh gets mom all to herself this year! I'm so overwhelmed with emotions only having one at home, but att the same time I'm so excited for all the one on one time I will get with my sweet girl. Her world is going to change. She is used to having someone to play with. Momma will have to step up her game of entertaining. We got this!!

     Bring on the 2018-2019 school year!!!

XOXO,

Shina 

TEN Holiday Traditions

TEN Holiday Traditions

I absolutely love the holidays and all the CRAZY that comes with it! I wanted to share a few of our holiday traditions. I think it is important to have traditions to pass to your kids and they can possibly pass to their kids and so on. I love making memories as a family. The holiday season goes by so fast. I feel that having traditions as a family helps you slow down and enjoy it a little more.

1. Christmas Pajamas - I mean honestly who doesn't love a good pair of Christmas pajamas?!

We have always had the tradition of the kids getting to open one gift on Christmas Eve, which is their sweet little matching pajamas. I have decided to try something new this year. We are going to open Pajamas on December FIRST. My thinking behind this is, we can enjoy them all month long.

Christmas Eve Photos

         

                 

Striped Christmas pajamas from Children’s place
Reindeer Christmas pajamas from Gymboree 

2. Christmas Eve Photo- I always love to take a photo of all 4 kids in their pajamas in front of the Christmas tree before bed. The excitement in a child's face on Christmas Eve is just something I Love.

3. Christmas Cookies- 3 days before Christmas we ALWAYS make sugar cookies as a family. Each year I like to try a new recipe. If you have a favorite please share. We spend the evening making cookies, listening to Christmas music, and decorating them. Its so fun to watch the kids be creative and add their own special touch to each one. We then choose 4 cookies, that's right I said FOUR cookies (one of each kids choice). To leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve. The rest of them we devour or share with friends and family.

4. Elf on The Shelf-  Yes we do this, and yes we LOVE it. We started this tradition in December 2013. WOW, I cant believe it has been that long. Not only is this fun for the kids, but My husband and I love to do it as well. It so fun coming up with a new idea everyday. Pinterest has amazing ideas as well. Our elf's name is Candy Cane and she is a girl. She comes to our house in the morning and is always in a new location, has a different task, deed, or exciting hello each day. She  stays the day at our house to keep an eye on their behavior. Then she reports back to Santa each night.  The kids absolutely love looking for her each day. Below are a few photos of her previous visits. I cant wait to see what she has planned for this year!!!

Elf on the Shelf from Target

5. Picture with Santa - We love to get the kids annual picture with Santa. Every year we have gone to the same place and love it. This year we have to try something new as we are in a new town with new Santa locations. We are excited to Meet Santa this year.

6. Gingerbread House- Our Elf brings a gingerbread each year and encourages us to put all things aside and have a family night. This is one of my favorites. We work as a team to make the best gingerbread house we can. Its so much fun and we usually have a ton of laughs and a GREAT big MESS to show for it. Each year the kids have become more creative.

7. Christmas Caroling- This might be one of my favorites. I love everything about going caroling. The Christmas songs, being all bundled up, hot chocolate, seeing your breath as you sing out loud. I mean honestly what is not to love?! Every year our Church goes on a hayride through town and carols. As with everything else I am interested to see how we do it this year. As we are in a new town and with a new church family

8. Christmas lights- Every year we choose a night to drive around as a family and look at Christmas lights. When we do this, we love to go get ice cream first. this may be weird to some HAHA. At our house we like ice cream when it is cold outside. Having an nice cold ice cream looking at the beautiful lights is Heaven. We all ooh and ahh over the lights and decide which is our favorites.

9. Christmas Movie Night - A nice night of relaxation with my family is the BEST! With our busy schedules and just life. We find it hard to ever just set down as a family and watch an entire movie. This nigh we choose a Christmas movie as a family. We try to make it a priority to set and watch the ENTIRE movie. We also do hot chocolate and popcorn because everyone needs a snack for the movie, Right?!

10. The Christmas Story- It is very important to me that my children know the true meaning behind Christmas. I love to read the Christmas story to them and discuss why we celebrate.  We as humans can often get lost in the business and chaos of the holidays that we forget what Christmas is truly about. I love the Christmas spirit and all the fun that comes with the holiday, but most importantly it is to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

XOXO,

Shina <3