Monthly Musings

Hello and happy Thursday!

I can’t believe it’s already Thursday, and I can’t believe August is almost over!

It’s the last Thursday of the month, so I’m linking up with Patty and Holly for Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is “summer’s end/back to school.”

1. Do you meal plan? Any family friendly recipes to share?

I do meal plan every week. I always write down our activities and appointments for the week on our fridge calendar notepad. Then, I figure out what we’ll have for dinner and make my grocery list.

I try to at least do one slow cooker meal a week, and this one is delish, and it makes a ton. It’s so easy, that we have it at least once a month.

Truly, we get to Friday and Saturday nights, and always chat back and forth about where we should go eat or carry out. I really might try cooking on one of those nights, and then save myself some time during the week and order out. Most weeks of volleyball season, Hadley has three games. That can be hard for meal planning.

2. What are your back to school traditions?

When the kids were in elementary school, we always went school supply shopping and would get their back to school haircuts on the same day. We’d usually go to Chick-fil-A for lunch while we were out.

I always did the back to school breakfast the morning of the first day of school. When they moved to middle school, we did back to school “brinner.”

This year, we went to IHOP for our back to school dinner!

Of course, I always take their picture on the first day of school. It’s hard to believe we’ve had this same chalkboard for ten years.

3. Where do you do your best shopping for kids clothes and supplies?

As the kids have gotten older, we don’t buy as many back to school clothes. Target used to be the best place to buy them during the elementary years.

This year, Hayden didn’t buy anything new, but we finally relented and let us buy him a new pair of Crocs. He’d had the other ones since 6th (or 7th?) grade, and as you can see in the pic above, they are pretty worn out. (Check out his left Croc’s toes! haha)

As far as school supplies go, Walmart is always where we find the best deals.

As for me: (haha!)

4. How do you transition your wardrobe for fall?

I share this answer every time, but I love to wear a cardigan in the fall and spring months, often over a dress. My favorite cardigan is from Amazon, and I have it in three colors!

5. Any end of summer trips planned?

We don’t have any trips planned. Soon, Hadley and I are headed to Tennessee for a volleyball tournament, but that’s about it.

6. Do schools in your area start before or after Labor Day?

We start school before Labor Day. I wish we’d keep it simple, and have summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That would be so amazing.

We always start the second Wednesday in August, but teachers go back before that. One year, we didn’t start back until the third week of August, and that was so nice.

When I grew up, I think we mostly started after Labor Day. Of course, I don’t think we got a week long fall break or a week for spring break either.

7. What are your Labor Day plans?

I’m not sure what we’ll do. I always appreciate the three day weekend at the start of the school year.

Maybe we’ll hit up the pool or grill out.

8. White after Labor Day? Yes or no?

Sure! To me, as long as the temps feel like summer, I will wear my favorite white pants.

9. Pumpkin spice…as soon as it comes out or wait until fall?

I used to love pumpkin spice lattes, but I haven’t really gotten them in quite some time.

I put a dash of pumpkin spice in my coffee at home once the weather turns cooler.

I also tend to get a “London Fog” from Starbucks in the fall months.

Last year, I got a pumpkin spice cold foam from Starbucks, and it was good.

10. Best life hacks for back to school?

Prep early. I like to knock out the school supply shopping and haircuts in late July….and then be in denial that the start of school is around the corner.

See you tomorrow for Friday Favorites.