BACK TO SCHOOL First Day Part 1 :)

Our homeschool started up today with a good deal of fun and excitement!  We had a special back to school breakfast, a treasure hunt for new school supplies and first day of school outfit (yes, we have a first day of school outfit even though we homeschool), first day pictures, exploring the changes made in the home classroom for this year, and of course we had our first day of classes too!  Phew!  Lots of fun = a tired mommy and kids by the day's end...  Here are some pics of the day's activities....

Sausages and numbers "added" up to a fun start this school year!

A pancake artist I am not, but it was fun to attempt these anyways.  The pencil is a banana with a chocolate kiss on the end (for the point) and foil and banana for the eraser end.

The table cloth is a piece of black fabric I wrote on with chalk.

This is a real apple with the inside hollowed out and filled with apple juice.  I then stuck a straw through the top, tied it with a ribbon and voila:  sipping the juice straight out of the type of fruit it came from.  :)

These are clues for the treasure hunt.  They eventually lead to a child's backpack with new supplies gift-wrapped inside and a new outfit for the first day of school.

This was our simple centerpiece - books, our countdown can filled with pencils and a couple of pointers, a school block calendar showing today's date and the first clue of the treasure hunt wrapped with ribbon sitting on top awaiting eager little hands and eyes.  

Lots of fun and a super start to the year!  :)

Linking to:

www.bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com

Back to School Pencil Wreath!

2 boxes of pencils + 1 cardboard circle + glue + embellishments 

= 1 pretty cute back to school wreath! :)

Two recommendations I suggest after making this wreath:

1. Buy a chipboard (I think that is what you call it) or wooden wreath instead of making one from cardboard. Why? I think the chipboard or wooden one would be more sturdy and easier to work with.

2. Make sure the adhesive/glue you are using will stand up to the outside hot temperatures of your area.

To make this wreath:

1. Glue four pencils to your cardboard or chipboard as shown below, divided equally at the top and bottom and sides.

2. Glue another pencil in between each quarter created by the first pencils, trying to keep the same distance between each pencil.

3. Add yet another layer in between the pencils. Continue in this way until you have filled up the wreath to your satisfaction.

Here is a picture of what mine looked like:

4. Complete the wreath by adding your own creative embellishments (or ones your children come up with) to welcome in the new school year, then hang and enjoy!

Linking up to:

www.shabbynest.blogspot.com

Back To School Countdown Can!

The beginning of (home)school is just around the corner for us so we made a back to school countdown can!  Simple, inexpensive, and adds to the anticipation as we count our way down to the first day of school!  Each day we unwrap the numbered flag and read what is written inside - activities for my daughter to do to help prepare for school and even some fun little treat ones - like "eat a chocolate chip".

(BTW - if the "following" area is not showing up on your computer - not sure why this is happening on and off - and you wanted to become a follower - check the top of the page.  On my computer there is a "follow" button at the very top and that seems to work.  If it does not work for you, let me know and I will see what else I can do.  Sorry for the inconvenience for those who have been trying to follow the blog. )

If you want to make a Countdown Can, you will need:  a package of pencils, a can, hot glue gun, one piece of paper (decorative or otherwise), optional paint and decorative ribbon.

1.  Decide when to start the countdown and get that many pencils for the can.  

2.  OPTIONAL:  paint your can.

3.  Cut one large strip of decorative paper (our apple paper came from Hobby Lobby, and I only used one sheet) to glue around the can and smaller strips for the tops of the pencils.   

4.  On the inside of each strip, write something for your kids to do each day of the countdown (picking out a "first day" outfit, cleaning, going shopping for school supplies, or it could be as fun and simple as eating a chocolate chip)!  

5.  On one end of the outside of the strip, paste a number - or you could just write a number on it.  Hot glue the opposite end to the pencil, roll it around the pencil leaving the numbered part free to make a small "flag" and add another small dot of hot glue to keep it from completely unrolling.   

6.  OPTIONAL:  Tie a decorative ribbon around the middle of your can.

7.  Toss the pencils in the can and begin your countdown!  :)

Linking to: www.whipperberry.com
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