Category: Back To School
DIY Writing Skills Workbook
custom Writing Skills Workbook for less than $1
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PlayWithPlaymobil #CollectiveBias
Create a custom writing skills workbook in minutes
When I was a young kid, I was blown away one day when my dad brought home a little toy doctor kit, little candies (aka pills – it was the 80’s, okay?) and flashcards for me.
Not an earth shattering story, right?
Except, my parents NEVER just brought home gifts for no reason, so it’s a memory that firmly planted itself in my mind.
Only recently, (many, many years later)I learned the rest of the story.
The Best Advice I Can Give My Kids + Giveaway!
advice for kids this back to school season
This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
If I can think of one piece of advice I’ve given to each of my kids multiple times over the years it’s this:
Back To School Countdown Banner
Free Library Card Printables for pretend play
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BackToSchoolGoals18 #CollectiveBias
T-minus 1o days until school starts in our area, and we are not ready mentally…or emotionally…at all. I’m not that mom with the glass of champagne at the first day of school bus stop. I’ll miss the easy mornings of summer and the lack of homework and activities in the afternoon. Life is crazy enough with all of that, but what can you do?
For starters, we can prepare ourselves with a good old fashioned back to school countdown banner.
Honey Bear After School Snack
Celebrating National Honey Month
This post is sponsored by the National Honey Board, however the content and opinions expressed are my own.
Last week my baby started Pre-Kindergarten. Time is going fast, and I’m determined to savor these golden moments I still have with her at home with some special, 1:1 time.. Since she is getting to be such a big girl, I thought it would be fun to have a special tea party with her, letting her make a new recipe, a Honey Bear after school snack, all by herself.
You see, she is so excited to go to her bumblebee themed classroom a few 1/2 days per week, and lamented on the first day she didn’t have a bee costume to wear 😂
Then, this weekend,we were especially excited to have guests who just started bee keeping. We enjoyed all their stories and pictures, and even got one of their first bottles of honey as a hostess gift. As a result, the kids are pretty sure we should start beekeeping, too (um, no.).
So, it felt especially serendipitous when I received a golden box of goodies from the National Honey Board to inspire us to celebrate National Honey Month with some honey, beautiful party decorations and easy, kid-friendly recipes.
Secret Message Lunchbox Notes
Printables for Back to School
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wet Ones® Hand Wipes. The opinions and text are all mine. I received free samples of products from Wet Ones®. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias Inc. and its advertiser. #BTSWithWetOnes #CollectiveBias
It’s hard to believe in just a week the kids will be back to school. I mean, WHY does summer break have to go so fast?
If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you know I love a good lunchbox note! This year, I’ve created my favorite, ever: Secret Message Lunchbox Notes!
School Night Hustle
Mom Hacks for a Stress- and Clutter-free After School Routine
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KeepingMomsCool #CollectiveBias
Things around here have been a little insane. With the kids back at school and more activities than ever, we were legit struggling there for awhile. Between homework, extracurricular activities and informational school meetings, we had to get organized, and fast.
Today I’m sharing some of my favorite mom hacks for school nights. These tips help keep my family on track so we have more time to do the things we love.
![#KeepingMomsCool [AD] Mom Hacks for School Nights with Kidfresh meals at Target](https://fivemarigolds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Mom-Hacks-for-the-After-School-Hustle-with-Kidfresh-Five-Marigolds-copy-1.jpg)
With a little organization and go-to meals like Kidfresh, we’re taking back our weeknights. Get 40% off Kidfresh at Target with Cartwheel through 9/24/16. Details here.
Loving Lately: Back To School Must Haves
Back to school Must Haves for Boys
Since I’m on a roll about all-things BTS lately, I decided to share a few of my back to school must haves. These are items I’ve found that work especially well and make my life easier…or just more attractive :).
Easy Crockpot Chicken And Wild Rice Soup
Kid Friendly Comfort Food in the Slow Cooker
You guys, I’m going way (+ way, way) outside of my comfort zone today with my first ever guest post AND first ever vlog, over at Jen Snyder Photo. You’re going to want to hop over to her beautiful blog check out one of my family’s very favorite recipes, Easy Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.
Lunchbox Jokes Printable
Back to School Lunchbox Jokes Printable
My free lunchbox printables are always super popular this time of year – the one time we moms *actually* feel organized enough to do things like print cutesy lunchbox notes! In the spirit of mom unity, I’ve added another lunchbox jokes printable to my offering so we can all score an A+ in “Pinterest Mom: 101.”
Thanks to my girlfriends who tirelessly pumped their kids for their best jokes to help create this fun collection. Happy back to school season, fellow moms! We can do this!
Download your free Lunchbox Jokes printable here. (Psst..Don’t forget to share this free resource on your favorite social channel to help me continue to offer these fun freebies!)
More lunchbox printables:
Back to School Wardrobe for Girls
Back To School Capsule Wardrobe for Girls for $100
Earlier this week I posted my BTS capsule wardrobe for boys, and now I’m sharing my Back to school wardrobe for girls. It’s amazing what great pieces you can afford when you plan ahead and really envision how they will all work together to create multiple outfits. Here, I’ve put together 10 key pieces that work together create 10+ outfits, head to toe, for just around $100.*
Back To School Wardrobe for Boys
Capsule Wardrobe for Boys Under $150
Every year I try my best to create an inexpensive capsule wardrobe for back to school on a budget – which for me is $150 or less. I’m sharing what I’ve pulled together for my big boy this year in the hopes that it will inspire you to shop some stylish looks for your little big(ish) guy, for less.
Fill In The Blank Lunchbox Notes Printable
Is it just me or are summer breaks getting shorter and shorter? My kiddos are dreading going back to school in just a few weeks, but we’re having fun gearing up with new school supplies and goodies, including a newly designed set of fill in the blank lunchbox notes.
I love tucking a fun lunchbox note into their cold lunch at school, and this year decided to make a blank set of notes for when I just want to add my own personalized message. 
Children’s Artwork Display for Less Than $5
This is one of my favorite projects to date – also the easiest and least expensive: the children’s artwork display located in our Family Command Center – otherwise known as the mud room.
I wanted plenty of space where the children could hang their artwork and good grades with pride, without that messy cluttered look on the fridge. It also needed to be really flat to the wall, since the area I’d designated is in a space the width of a hallway.
Here’s how I did it:
- Buy these eye hook screws and wire at the hardware store for less than $5 total (or spend a few extra bucks and shop Amazon at the links above if you want to save a trip to the store).
- Drill holes into the wall where you want your eye hooks to go. Screw the eye hooks into the wall by hand. Then, wrap your wire around one of the hooks a few times. Stretch it to the other eye hook, pulling and straightening as you go. Wrap it around that eye hook 2-3 times and cut the wire.
- I already had these cute little inexpensive clips on hand, leftover from Eve’s party favors.They work great for holding the various art and school papers the kids bring home.
- Voila! Children’s art center complete in 20 minutes and for less than $5.
As for the rest of our family mud room command center, it’s still a work in progress. I have dreams for this space!
I found that sign at the thrift store. I think it was from a hotel long ago. I just love it!
What do you think of my low-tech art center for the kids?
Sources:
Fall Fashion Finds
The temperature is dropping here in the Midwest and it’s time to begin thinking of adding to the fall wardrobe. I’m absolutely loving what I’m seeing this season: glam accents like faux fur and leather, studs and spikes, sleek silhouettes and soft textures. I especially love the affordable finds I’m seeing at Forever 21 this season. Check out a few of my favorites here:
*Please read the affiliate disclaimer on the right sidebar. Thank you for your support!
New Quaker Chewy Thin Mint Bars and Free Printable Wrapper
We’re gearing up for Back to School around here, which is why I was thrilled when BzzAgent recently sent me two free boxes of their new Chewy Girl Scouts Thin Mint granola bars. Talk about a beautiful marriage of foods! Each year we buy Thin Mints in bulk and hoard them until the next cookie selling season, so I’m thrilled to start seeing Thin Mint flavored goodies popping up in the grocery store year-round.
BzzAgent is an organization that works with brands and provides its ambassadors with samples and coupons in exchange for trying products, sharing their honest opinion, and spreading the word. In this case, the task is easy, because these granola bars are super yummy and kid-approved. When Dub took his first bite he proclaimed it “Ahh–mazing” and asked if he could have it as his lunchbox treat at school. No problem!
I love to slip little notes and jokes into his lunchbox daily to let him know I’m thinking of him, so I made a few super simple granola bar wraps to add a special touch to his treat. Of course, I couldn’t leave Evelyn out so I made a couple of girly-girl wraps as well.
Want to try these granola bars for yourself? They can find at your local grocery store. Want the wrappers for your kid’s lunchbox? Click here to download your free granola bar wrap printable!
Free Back to School Printable: Minecraft Lunchbox Jokes
Dub just loves clever jokes and puns. When I asked him what he most wanted me to pack in his lunch box for his first day of school, he told me he wanted a Minecraft joke.
There aren’t many options out there for Minecraft lunchbox printables, so I created one on me own, and today I’m sharing it with my subscribers!
Q: How does Steve chop down trees with his fists?
A: How wood I know?
Q: Have you heard of the creeper who went to a party?
Lunchbox: Happy Jackson
A: He had a blast!
Q. What is a cobblestone’s favorite music?
A. Rock music!
Okay, okay, even if you don’t get these punny jokes, your little Minecraft lovers will.
Just click the above image or here for your free Minecraft lunchbox jokes freebie.
Want to see more like these? Let me know in the comments below!
Minecraft Printables and inspiration:
Like these printables? Be sure to check out my other free downloads and inspo:
DIY Minecraft Lego Steve Favors
Be Minecraft Printable
DIY Minecraft Birthday Party
Back to School Wardrobe for Boys – On a Budget
For many, it feels like school just got out for the summer. But in our neck of the woods, summer is already more than half over! Every year I scour summer sales to help build our back to school wardrobe on a budget. I try to find a variety of mix and match pieces to maximize our budget in style. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:
Shopping information:
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
What do you think? Do you shop sales early for back to school season, or do you wait for the fall sales?
Thanks for stopping by!
* In addition to being featured in the fabulous blogs buttoned up in the right sidebar, this post was also linked up at The Scoop and The Turquoise Home.
*This post contains some affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure in the sidebar.
Easy, Inexpensive Favor Bags
Dress up a common paper lunch bag to be something extra special! EClaire needed to take favor bags to school for her half birthday (summer birthday problems!). I had a few awkwardly shaped items so I needed a decent-sized bag, but I didn’t want to spend much.
As usual, I headed to the Dollar Tree fro some paper lunch bags and doilies. Then, I secured them with these tiny craft clothespins that you can get at Hobby Lobby or here on Amazon. I love how these turned out, and you can make 40 for just $6. Next time, I love the idea of trying these for birthday party favors with colorful doilies and clothespins.
These would be great for Valentines, Birthday parties or even for quick and easy gift wrap for small gifts.
12+ Back To School Outfits for less than $165
H m dress / Slim cut jeans / Pink pants / H M clothing / Cherokee Girls’ Long-sleeve Leopard Print Cardigan Brown / Crazy 8 / Crazy 8 / Crazy 8 / Girls’ Embroidered Hearts Tee / Girls’ Long-sleeve Floral Cardigan / Old Navy Girls Capri Leggings – New black / Girls Caia Ballet Flat – Girls | Payless Shoes
