More Back to School, and a Free Printable

I feel as though there is so much to do and so little time, and there really aren't enough hours in a day.  My life also seems to be full of cliches lately too!  It really is getting hectic.  I had all sorts of things on my to do list that I haven't gotten to yet.  Things I wanted done before the boys start school, that may just have to wait until after, because tomorrow we begin the move.  There is so much to share about this; challenges that we're facing that I didn't exactly forsee when we started this journey, memories that will last a life time, insights into how to make the best of the situations life throws you into.... so much and more it seems.

For now though, it's getting rather late, and tomorrow is the first of some very long days to come.  I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to get back on and blog.  Everything hinges on how long it takes us to get a little settled into our new home.  On top of packing, loading, traveling, unloading, unpacking, and settling in, there is still the matter of getting the boys all ready for school.  I'm trying to be very mindful about events outside the move.  I don't want it to take away from mile stones and special days.  Liam is starting school for the very first time!  How exciting is that?!?!  Our teen is entering his last year of middle school, equally exciting in my mind!  And his birthday is at the beginning of September.  I want these special moments to shine in their own light, not be overshadowed by moving and getting set up.

To help me stay on track, and make sure I don't forget anything, even the simplest thing like, First Day of School pictures, I created a check list.  This way I can stay on top of everything without having to worry about it.  As I was writing it up, I got to thinking about how nice it will be to have the list already done up for future years.  While I'm sure every summer won't be quite as hectic as this one, it's nice to have a list of what you need to do in the month or so leading up to the start of the new school year.  AND that got me thinking that perhaps, some of you might like a copy of your own.  So, I took my handwritten list and turned it into a printable to share with all of you.  (I took pity on your eyesight, and typed it up, no having to try to decipher my handwriting)  Here she is, in all her simplicity!

Mom's Back to School Checklist

Just a simple checklist, with some pretty generic to-do's on it.  Things that would translate year after year.  As with all my other printables here on the blog, just click the link in the caption to download.  If you have any problems downloading the file, please send me an email, the address is on the right side bar.  I will gladly send you a copy.  

I hope you find this helpful in the next few weeks.  For now I'm signing off, but I will be back as soon as I can.  I'm super excited to share some pictures of our new home.  It's been a long 4 months, and I can hardly believe that the end is FINALLY in sight!  I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer!

Do you find it easier to plan for things with a checklist?  Do you have any special back to school preparations or traditions?  I'd love to hear about them!

Planning for Back to School and a Free Printable

It's one of my most favorite shopping times of the year.  BACK to SCHOOL!  Not because I'm eager for the kiddos to head on back for another year of school, but because everywhere you look there are deals and more deals on school and office supplies.  I think I love those more than I love craft supplies, and I seriously love craft supplies.  I couldn't tell you why, I just do!

So, once I start seeing the school supplies show up in stores, I start planning for the year ahead.  Not just for the kids (oh my, I have two in school this year .. sniff, sniff...where does the time go?) but for the home as well.  If I were a small business owner, this is when I would totally stock up on things I need.  Aside from the obvious paper, pens and other office/school items, there are ton of organization solutions that come on sale around this time too.  Magnetic locker organizers can easily be used on the fridge or magnetic board.  Small two drawer file cabinets usually get marked down quite a bit for college students, it's a great time to snap up one or two.  Don't need a file drawer?  How about using them in a teen or tween's room for a bedside table?  The possibilities are endless.

And, because they are endless, it is oh so easy to get swept away (especially if you have an irrational love of all things office and school supply related) so this year, I decided to plan things out on paper first, and take stock of what we already have.  With two to buy for, a move in the works, among other things, I need to be really careful with where the dollars are going.  So I created this little baby to help me keep track:

Back to School Planner

It's the first part of what I'm calling my "Back to School Planner"  Here's how it works (at least how I use it) The first part is for the supplies I'm pretty sure will be on my list.  Crayons, markers, pencils, scissors, glue, and notebooks for Liam; lined paper, graph paper, plain paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, etc... for our Teen.  The first column is for listing out what I know we already have.  This way I'm not buying more than we need.  I try to pick up a few extra items from their lists, just in case they need more, but I try not to buy too much extra.  The next column is where I list the things I know we're going to have buy this year.  And the last column is things we need for the home.  They could include notebooks, paper, markers and crayons ... whatever I think/know we need.

Then comes the clothing section.  Who doesn't love new school clothes?  I could easily get carried away here, but the truth is, summer clothes will still be used for the first few weeks of school, which means I can pick up new school clothes a little at time.  I like to note the size and how many of an item I need, that way, I'm not tempted to spend too much on one of an item when I still need to pick up x amount more. 

The last section is for those miscellaneous items that sometimes need to be picked up and sometimes don't.  I don't want to have to do up a new one every year, so I just put them all down.  (No, my boys do not go to private school, but I added that just cause) This year, we need two of everything on that list.  But next year we will probably only need a few things.  

And there you have it!  Just a simple little list planner, to help me get more prepared for the coming school year and to keep me on track.  As always click the link below the pic to snag a copy of your own!  

What do you do to get ready for the school year?  Do you love school/office supplies too?  Any item that makes your personal "must get one" list?