Is anyone ever ready for back-to-school season? Especially with the lackluster weather we've had this "summer", if you can call it that, I feel less ready for this than usual. But time stands still for no one, right?

Summer 4, Soubanh Phantay
Summer 4, Soubanh Phantay
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As someone who started off as a homeschooling mom, and only transitioned to brick-and-mortar schools when my husband left years ago, I had "first day of school" traditions, but the kids were still technically with me.

Homeschooling, Cori Skall
Homeschooling, Cori Skall
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Those traditions have changed a bit, as our situation has. But there are quite a few things that have remained the same over the years.

The start...Cori Skall
The start...Cori Skall
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Here are 3 of our family's Back-To-School Traditions:

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Pre-School Year Ice Cream

The first, for us, actually happens the day before school starts...the last day of vacation. Since my girls start school on the 29th and my son on the 5th, we might just have to hit up our favorite spots twice!

Last day of summer vaca 2019
Last day of summer vaca 2019
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We ALWAYS end summer vacation with a trip to a local ice cream shop.

Last day of summer vaca 2021
Last day of summer vaca 2021
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It's a fun way to acknowledge that a transition is coming, and end the summer season on a high note!

Pictures

The second thing our family does is take those "First Day Of School" pictures.

First Day of Pre-K 2020
First Day of Pre-K 2020
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Sometimes the facial expressions are a little less excited about school than ice cream...

Back to School 2019
Back to School 2019
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But we get to capture those bright-eyed, fresh-faced photos...before everyone gets tired from the mad dash that is school!

Back-to-school 1, Cori Skall
Back-to-school 1, Cori Skall
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And in some cases, it's a great way to document just how much they've grown over the summer!

Back-to-school 2, Cori Skall
Back-to-school 2, Cori Skall
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Take Measurements

And speaking of measuring growth...

Back to school height chart, Cori Skall
Back to school height chart, Cori Skall
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The other back-to-school tradition I do with my kids...and we've been doing it every year since they started...

N gets measured, Cori Skall
N gets measured, Cori Skall
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Each kid gets measured on the first day of school (and usually the last day of school, too.)

M gets measured, Cori Skall
M gets measured, Cori Skall
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It's a helpful way to keep track of how much they've grown over the summer, but also what their most recent stats are (handy for things like doctor visits and sports physicals.)

Height chart close up, Cori Skall
Height chart close up, Cori Skall
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B gets measured, Cori Skall
B gets measured, Cori Skall
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Markings on the wall, Cori Skall
Markings on the wall, Cori Skall
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Sometimes we even measure bunnies!

Bunny gets measured, Cori Skall
Bunny gets measured, Cori Skall
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Those are the three big "Back to school" traditions we have at our house.

How about you?

What traditions do you have with your kids when it comes to "Back to school" time?

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