Don't Make Me Use My "Teacher Voice"!

Back-To-School always involves teacher gifts and bus driver gifts! I try hard NOT to give too many coffee mugs, applely gifts, or what have you! But this year, the twins' teacher is BRAND NEW! Which means her classroom could probably use some "decor".  

Jaxon Bollling - Fifth Grade - First Day Of School

Don't worry! I didn't forget about my handsome "guido".  I am just busy "playing" being wife/mom and couldn't do three consecutive posts without life getting in the way.

Lilah Bolling - 5th Grade - First Day Of School!

My beautiful girl has entered her last year of Elementary School.

Lilah Welcomes Fourth Grade!

My beautiful girl is growing up so fast.  Before I have time to sneeze, she'll be heading off to middle school.  Ugh, I am truly not sure if I am ready for that. It's so different having a daughter versus having a son.  The emotions are so different.  As are the ways I handle things. They just are.  I never thought I'd say that.  I hated when my dad would allow my brother to do things before I could (I am the oldest).  

Lilah couldn't have made me any happier during this back-to-school photo shoot.  

She acted just like herself: a little spit fire, filled with spunk and personality.  

I purchased many outfits for her FIRST DAY. I took a small poll, which included my top, four, favorite outfits. It was pretty much a tie, neck and neck, between the outfit she's wearing above and the outfit below that included pearls.

I allowed her to have the final say.  I also allowed her to decide on how she wanted me to do her hair. She exclaimed, "I want a semi-high ponytail and I want you to curl a few pieces with the curling wand, to hang in the front."  Works for me! I wanted to do 1 of 2 other styles, but I needed to practice them, but ran out of time. I was also NOT sure that I would have time to successful do those hairstyles, the morning of the first day, so STAY TUNED for some challenges that I am putting myself up against, in the future, with her hair.  

 This girl fills my heart with gladness.

"Bring on 4th Grade!"

Right before I took these photos, it was TORRENTIAL DOWN POUR RAINING.  I knew it would stop fast and look what arrived for US, right when the rain subsided.  A RAINBOW!!! I took this as a sign, from God, that this girl's fourth grade year would be as beautiful as a rainbow!!!

Oh and we painted her fingers and toe nails PINK.  I used her gel polish machine.

How cute are her wedges?  I want a pair so bad.

I feel like, in the below photo, she is saying, "HOW is Summer over already?"

Her book bag was purchased like three weeks into the Summer.  When I saw it, I gasped for air.  I couldn't resist it.

I loved so much about it.  I loved that a pair of lips was hanging off it. I mean, what mini lip boss doesn't love lips?

I also loved all of the mix and match fabrics, textures, and patterns.

I just LOVE it and so did LILAH! This book bag, surprisingly, was found at Gabe's.  It was designed by Betsey Johnson.  

And then, when we spotted this CUTE, panda bear pencil pouch, I HAD to grab it.  It matches the book bag perfectly.  Do you want one just like it, for your daughter? Click here to order.  

My sweet, sweet girl, how I love you so!  You are my hardest happiness, but just BECAUSE our female hormones are already in competition.  BUT... you have a personality that is LARGER than life. You are more talented, in so many ways, than you will EVER KNOW.  If I had to choose one person in life, who's shoes I could walk in as a child, it would be YOU! You're adorable, loving, kind, tell it like it is, protective of your loved ones, and have talents above and beyond your age, not to mention a confidence, that to this day, I don't have.  I live life through you! NOT meaning I make you do things that you don't want to do, because I once wanted to do them and couldn't, but rather, I get to watch you do what YOU LOVE and what I once wished, as a little girl, I was either able (financially) or had the talents to do it.  I know you will rock fourth grade.  Just remember that "pretty is as pretty does" and promise me that you will do all that you can to HONOR OUR KING, Jesus.

Jax Welcomes 4th Grade!

BE completely prepared for a JAX OVERLOAD in this post, but WHO CARES!!! He is COMPLETE eye candy! I was able to snag this cutie pie, take him around the corner, to an area of shade, and take some back to school photos.  

I am so excited about the way the photos turned out.  

I absolutely LOVE his smile, his eyes, his dimples, and this boy's heart.  

Fourth grade baby, here he comes!

He aims to please his momma and he gets an A+ for this photo session.  

The photo below is my FAVORITE!

I really hope this school year is "EPIC".  

His outfit, surprisingly, is from Crazy 8. I didn't plan on this being his outfit actually, but at the last minute, I decided that this child has such a good sense of fashion and I felt confident he would chose something adorable to wear. So, I allowed him to pick out his outfit.

If you like this outfit, you can shop it, below.

Shirt

Shorts

Hat

Also, just a little plug to Heidi Swapp's items.  If you DO NOT own a lightbox, do yourself a favor and get one! They come in SO HANDY during times like this, in addition to baby showers, birthday parties, lemonade stands, bridal showers, and so much more!

Jax was very pleased with his first day of school! He likes his teachers, he is happy with the friends he in his class, although he really misses his buddy Matthew! He came off the bus with a big smile.  I know fourth grade is pretty intense, academically.  I am thankful that my little buddy is strong academically, so I trust he can handle the workload.  We remind our children every day to focus on personal growth, ways they can love their peers, especially the less popular, serve their school, and honor the Lord.  Jax very rarely disappoints Darren or I.  I have not doubt he will continue to on that path.  We love you, Jaxon!

"Apples" For Mrs. Meredith - From Jax

Jax's gift was all about apples.  I know, I know! Teachers probably HATE apples, but I couldn't RESIST. I designed the adorable tag above too!

The little bucket, pencils, and post-it refills are from Target. I included a fresh, ripe, beautiful, red apple and some Marzetti caramel dipping sauce.  

Technically, we could have stopped at gift one.  This gift was just a little extra because I FELL. IN. LOVE. with the post-it note holder.  

#Learn #Encourage #Teach #Inspire #Grow

If you would like to replicate this gift, I am offering my free printable to you.  Just click here.

I have never looked up the meaning behind why apples are given, but my guess is.... "Fresh" Fruit / Fresh Start?  Haha.  I am probably NO WHERE close to the WHY!  Now, I am intrigued and will use google to learn about it.

Update: This is ONE theory.  I am not a BIG reader, so I stop HERE. 

"According to Gourmet, in the 1700s, poor families in Denmark and Sweden gave teachers baskets of apples as payment for their children's educations. ... If your school allows it, giving a teacher an apple is still a kind way to show a teacher your appreciation!"

"Fresh Starts Are A Gift!"

School is out for the Summer.  Here's what we gave out to the teachers and bus driver at the end of the year?  I am beyond proud of it.  Let me explain my little creation.  

Here are the items you will need: 1. A mini shopping cart.  2. Miniature erasers.  3. Little brown envelopes.  4. A printer.  5. Tape. 6. 8" lollipop sticks or skewers.

This adorable shopping cart was found at Hobby Lobby.  It grabbed my attention immediately.  I love everything miniature.  It came in multiple colors.  I thought about the grocery stores I would be shopping at, in hopes that I could color coordinate my gift to the shopping cart.  The price... $3.99.

As soon as I saw it, I knew instantl what I would do with it.  

Next up, I needed miniature food.  I found these adorable mini eraser sets in the dollar bin at Target.  

And these... for $1.00. Not photographed was another pack of ice cream cones.

Here is another shopping cart in green.  

These mini craft sacks came from Hobby Lobby too!  These were $2.99.  I wanted them to resemble a brown paper bag from a grocery store.

I printed some small Fresh Market logos and adhered them to the "bags".  

Wala! Mini carts.  Mini food.  And now, mini grocery bags. 

I chose to insert a Fresh Market gift certificate into the brown craft sack.  This store is a little more unique and special to shop at, so I thought it would be more impressive than a gift card to Wal-mart or Food Lion.

Put it all together and look at HOW adorable this gift is. The twins' main teacher received a $50.00 gift card and the other two teachers/bus driver received a $25.00 gift certificate.

I used an 8" inch lollipop stick to adhere a printable that I created.  

The printable reads, "Fresh" Starts are a gift! Enjoy your Summer!"

To top off that cuteness, I wrapped the bus driver's gift in this darling bus driver's gift bag.  I mean, it doesn't get any more detailed and perfect that THAT!!!

Erasers, gift certificates, creativity, and a mini shopping cart.... throw it all together and all that mini stuff sure does make a BIG SMILE!