Easy DIY Custom Pencils for BTS
I really don’t care to admit to myself that summer vacation is nearly over. However, in just a few weeks the kids are going back to school, and they are not very excited about it.
Tag: Back to School
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](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAwIDE1MDAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZmaXZlbWFyaWdvbGRzLndwZW5naW5lcG93ZXJlZC5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMTYlMkYwOSUyRk1vbS1IYWNrcy1mb3ItdGhlLUFmdGVyLVNjaG9vbC1IdXN0bGUtd2l0aC1LaWRmcmVzaC1GaXZlLU1hcmlnb2xkcy1jb3B5LTEuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEwMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTUwMCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
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
slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup is the perfect throw and go crockpot recipe for on-the-go family. A warm and hearty meal that’s kid-approved! put together this chicken and rice soup in your crockpot and have a delicious meal at the end of the day.
Fall and winter can be the hardest months motivation wise. You don’t always want to come home and dirty up the kitchen by making dinner. Today, I want to share a family favorite recipe with you: Slow Cooker. Today I’m sharing one our family’s go-to meals during the fall and winter months: Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. This soup is amazing because it’s truly a “throw and go” meal – just prep in the morning and come home to the wonderful aroma of this hearty, and mouthwatering meal.
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:
Free Back to School Printable: Minecraft Lunchbox Jokes
It’s almost time to send the kids back to school! And while that may be an exciting time for moms, kids sometimes need a reason to smile during the school day. Enter these sure to make ’em giggle lunch box jokes. If you have a Minecraft lover in your family, print this free Minecraft printable out today!
Why I Love These Lunch Box 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. Your wish is my command, kid.
I love the idea that my guy is enjoying a laugh at lunchtime with the Minecraft characters. Maybe he even shares them with his friends and they talk about how hilarious they were. I don’t know, it could happen.
Lunchbox: Happy Jackson
Minecraft Printable Lunchbox Jokes for Kids
After searching Pinterest I found there aren’t many options out there for Minecraft lunchbox printables, so I created one on my own. And today I’m sharing it with my wonderful subscribers!
Here’s a few of the “punny” jokes included:
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?
A: He had a blast!
- What is a cobblestone’s favorite music?
- Rock music!
Okay, okay. Even if you don’t get these hilarious jokes (humble brag), your little Minecraft lovers will. Let’s be real, anything we can do to make their day go a little better is worth its weight in gold. Or is it goldfish? You get me.
How to Make Minecraft Lunchbox Jokes
To use these kids’ lunch box jokes, just click the link below and save the file to your computer. Then print the cards out and trim them.
If you want your printable lunchbox jokes to be a bit more sturdy, and be an excellent weight for a mini airplane for the playground, use cardstock to print them out.
Add one of the jokes to your kid’s lunch and voila! Mom of the Year!
They also make great notes for afterschool snack time, to tape over the bathroom sink, or for a long car ride. Jokes are always appreciated.
Click the above image or use this link to grab your copy of the Minecraft lunchbox jokes freebie.
Want to see more printable resources 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.
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
Back to school for boys – on a budget
UPDATE: Find my updated Back to school wardrobe for boys here and here. Since this is an older post and continues to get a lot of Pinterest traffic, I do my best to link to similar items from this set, below. Thanks for stopping by!
Little Dub is going to be in kindergarten this year. He’ll be going full days, every day. I have to admit I’m a little nervous for him – it will be a huge change, but one that I think will be good for him. He will be wearing a uniform this year which is pretty uninspiring fashion-wise, but I was pretty happy when I scored his full wardrobe during the Old Navy uniform sale for only around $110!
Even though Dub will be in uniform, I had fun laying out a back to school wardrobe for boys. My goal was to put together a minimum of 10 outfits for $150. I failed – mostly because the pants alone accounted for around $60 of the budget. However, if you chose a less expensive brand for the pants and denim this set would be much closer to $150.
Where are you finding the best wardrobe staples for boys this fall?
Back to school wardrobe for girls, on a budget
I can’t believe it. Sweet Eve will be starting preschool this year. Even though I sent Dub to preschool two years ago with not a lot of angst, this one is different. My shy, sensitive girl will be going out into the world on her own, and my protective instinct tells me not to let her go! But, I know she’s also ready to make friends, crafts, and all the things she sees her big brother do. So now I’m distracting myself with the back to school process, buying supplies and…a super cute wardrobe.
Here’s how I envision Eve’s preschool wardrobe – that’s 14 pieces/10 outfits for $150*. I’d say that’s doing pretty well. What are you back to school wardrobe shopping tips?
Back to School 11+ Outfits under $150 | Five Marigolds
Toddler Girl Back to School $150 by shellrock1 featuring h&m cardigan
H m cardigan
hm.com
hm.com
H&M jeans
hm.com
hm.com
Jersey Long-Sleeve Dresses for Baby | Old Navy
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Old Navy Jersey Long Sleeve Dresses For Baby – Blackjack
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Old Navy Lace Trim Jersey Leggings For Baby – Black jack
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Side-Zip Terry Leggings for Baby
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Old Navy Long Sleeve Pocket Tees For Baby – Bright nite
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Old Navy Jersey Peplum Tees For Baby – Sea salt
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Old Navy Graphic Crew Neck Tees For Baby – Bright white 2
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Baby Girl
crazy8.com
crazy8.com
Old Navy Scalloped Eyelet Ballet Shoes For Baby – Metallic pink
oldnavy.gap.com
oldnavy.gap.com
Baby Girl
gymboree.com
gymboree.com
Cherokee Girls’ Cardigan Assorted
target.com
target.com
*Includes sale prices on some items at the time of this post