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Motherhood Simplified.

Back to school must-haves

August 3, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Back to school we go!

Most kids will be starting school up again in the next few weeks (can you believe it?) and it’s time to ready ourselves – and simultaneously shout “hooray!”…

Between trips, camps and sports, this summer seemed to fly by. I can’t believe I will have a preschooler, kindergartener and 2nd grader this year… Aside from freaking out over having to keep track of so many little people and their assignments, I’m trying to think ahead about how to be organized and prepared. If we have any chance of making it through the year, we’ll need supplies!

So from packing lunches and snacks to keeping them on top of their homework, I’ve pulled together a list of my back-to-school must-haves for preschoolers-elementary kids.

With all that in mind, here are some of my back to school must-haves for the school year:

back to school must-haves, back to school supplies, school supplies, school necessities, school shopping, homework planner, back to school lunches

back-to-school  MUST-HAVE  # 1.

EasyLunchboxes 3-compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers   //  This set of 4 bento boxes are BPA-free, dishwasher-safe and only $13.95. I use these exclusively to pack lunches for the kids. They are great for portion control and for keeping foods in their place. It’s much nicer to carry one tupperware container than three! I find them to be great quality too – the lids even close tightly (big pet-peeve of mine with plastic containers).

While we’re on the topic, here’s a great pin for 15 lunchbox ideas.

 

back-to-school   MUST-HAVE   # 2.

Skip Hop backpacks  //  I LOVE Skip Hop backpacks for preschoolers. I bought my daughter the owl backpack about five years ago and we still have it and use for her little brothers. The quality is great, but so is the size. Regular backpacks are too big on little preschoolers. They have tons of adorable accessories to match too, like lunchboxes, thermoses and blankets. Pick your child’s favorite animal, since they pretty much have them all.

 

back-to-school   MUST-HAVE  # 3.

Back to school shoes  //  I love me some TOMS. I have had the same pair forever and they are my go-to errand-running shoe. I love them for my kids, too. They tend to wear them until they have holes, which makes me feel like they were money well spent. The Canvas Paseos are a great classic shoe for both boys and girls, and what girl doesn’t love their Glimmers? They are perfect for my preschooler since he can slip them off and on himself and they’re a great alternative to sandals (which many schools won’t allow).

 

back-to-school   MUST-HAVE   # 4.

DIY uncrustables with the Wonder Sandwich Sealer N Decruster  //  I’m love this product! It allows you to create your own “uncrustables” by removing the crust and sealing the edges. I can easily create several of my own uncrustables and throw them in their own baggie in the freezer so I can grab them when I am running late and need to pack my kids a lunch or snack. I’ve always loved the idea of uncrustables, but don’t buy them because of the price. So this a one-time purchase of under $7 is totally worth it!

 

back-to-school  MUST-HAVE # 5.

DIY Knotted pencil pouches  //  I am kind of obsessed with these DIY pencil pouches. How cute for a girl!

 

back-to-school  MUST-HAVE   # 6.

Personalized Homework Planner for Kids  //  Help your elementary-aged kids stay organized this year with a personalized homework planner. It’s geared toward older elementary and middle school students and helps them not only keep track of homework, but also their after-school responsibilities, reading time, exercise time, and more. It’s the perfect way to get them thinking through the process of long-term assignments and teaching them personal responsibility and accountability!

 

Disclosure: post contains affiliate links – read my full disclosure statement here

 

Related posts:

  1. The School Years Memory Book
  2. Candid Coffee Talk: The Sick Kid.
  3. Candid Coffee Talk: Another school year, more crazy mom crap
  4. Tips for Transitioning Back to School

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: favorite things, nuts bolts paper, school days

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HI! I'M AMY.

I'M A BLOGGER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, MOM, COFFEE ADDICT, DIYER, CHRONIC MULTITASKER AND STRESSCASE, A COOK AND A LOVER OF A GOOD GLASS OF WINE.
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I get it. It's a little weird. But the girls I've I get it. It's a little weird.
But the girls I've seen do it best, look adorable.

I think it looks best with an oversized tee or sweatshirt, tennies or slides, and a small crossbody bag.

You can't argue with comfort.

For the record, these are women's sleep shorts that I've had a couple of years from Old Navy. If you buy actual men's boxers, you might consider sewing up the pee pocket 😜

Don't spend a lot on this trend; these shorts are made from the thinnest of fabric and shouldn't cost much. Don't be fooled by a retailer that wants you to spend just because it's trendy.

But if you see some cute boxers and want to give it a go - then do! Bonus - if/when the trend ends, you'll have pajamas on the ready 👏

It's solid weekend wear, but I'm not going out to dinner in it...

#boxershortsforgirls #boxershort #ootd #womensfashion #styleinspiration
Another project down in my son's room! I knew I w Another project down in my son's room!

I knew I wanted some sort of built-in feature in this bedroom, but it was hard to figure out what, because we turned it into an active space where he could run and play and needed a lot of room.

So I settled on a built-in bookcase with the slatted design feature, which I'm in love with!

The best part about it is that if he ever decides to upgrade his bed, the space will also accommodate a full or queen size bed going in the opposite direction. It adds so much interest to this room and hopefully will be here for a long time!

One of the things I love most about DIY projects is figuring out how to make something - it's like a giant puzzle. I saw photos of these slotted wall room dividers on Pinterest and just figured it out as I went. All in all, I had very few hiccups and it only took me a few hours to put together. I think I only cursed once?!? And so I call that an extreme DIY win...

Now that the sports wall, the climbing wall, and the built-in feature are complete, the last thing to do in here is some additional painting. I'm thinking of using a contrasting blue color for the closet doors and back side of the built-in, and perhaps trimming out the window with it as well. Then I need to switch out the light for a fan and this.room.is done 🙌

Details: I used two IKEA billy bookshelves, screwed together and secured to the wall. Then wrapped them in white oak plywood. I ripped down 2x4s into 1.5x1.5" square dowels (heavily sanded!) and used pocket holes on the back side of each to secure to the bookshelf and the 1x4 in the ceiling. It's very sturdy!

Go back in my reels to see the other projects from this room! 

#diy #boysroom #roomrenovation #roomrefresh #kidsrooms #climbingwall #soccerbedroom #builtins #bedroomredo #girlswhobuild
This climbing wall took half a day and cost under This climbing wall took half a day and cost under $100!

We are lucky enough to have 13' ceilings in our bedrooms, so a climbing wall seemed to make sense in my son's room as we worked on the remodel.

He is a super active kid with #ADHD, so his room redo has involved lots of activity spaces! Go back in my reels to see past projects and follow to see me finish this up!

#diy #roomrenovation #roomrefresh #kidsrooms #climbingwall #soccerbedroom
Another to-do checked off my list for spring break Another to-do checked off my list for spring break room makeover!

I added very subtle striping to the wall to mimic a soccer field and keep things classy. ⚽

Stick around to see the next project - a climbing wall!

(And go back in my reels to see the sports wall)

#roommakeover #soccer #kidsroom

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