I love the excitement around back-to-school time.  I try really hard to make it special for my two little girls and to involve them as much as possible.

We start preparing for the end of summer by trying on all of the school clothes from the year before.  We need to see what clothes need to be replaced and which can carry over into this school year.  To make trying on old clothes fun, we put on the old school clothes fashion show, (yes, the girls try everything on and then show their dad and do a little twirl so that he can see the back as well as the front).  Daddy makes sure to oooh and aaah so that the girls know just how cute they look in their old clothes.

We’ll make a list of clothes that we need to replace.  Our first stop is always Old Navy.  They always have great sales and and cute modest clothes.  If we aren’t able to do all of our shopping there, we head to Downeast Girls, Gap, Gymboree and Children’s Place.  I like to get the staples at Old Navy and accent with some fun, more expensive pieces from the other stores.  (Although they all do have fantastic sales).

Once the girls are outfitted, we determine what school supplies are needed.  The girls have a blast picking out all of their notebooks and folders and loading their backpacks.

I try and involve the girls every step of the way.  It helps me feel like they are able to embrace the changes of school time a little more gradually.

Sunday, before school starts, we always gather for special “pre-school” family prayer.  During this prayer we focus 100% on the girls and ask that they will be healthy and able to learn during this school year.  After our family prayer, we visit with the girls and resolve any concerns or fears that they may have.  One of our daughters is always concerned about the “what if’s” while the other is just excited to see what is in store.

Everyone heads to bed a little early the night before school starts.  We lay out outfits for the next day, discuss expectations for in the morning and finish up with a bedtime story.

In the morning, we take the traditional picture on the doorstep with their backpacks.  And then they are off for their new adventure.

What do you do to prepare for back-to-school?