first day of school

Friday Favorites {#271}: Back to School

Posted on August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

I can honestly say that even though the first two days back to school have been great, I’m also very happy to say, “TGIF!” Your girl is Tired…with a capital T! I’m very much looking forward to this weekend.

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

I’m keeping it short and sweet this week and just sharing our back to school traditions and photos.

Last week, the stars aligned, and we could actually have dinner together. We took advantage of that opportunity and headed to IHOP for dinner. This is the second year we’ve done this, and while the kids still had a few days left of summer, I appreciated the tradition.

This week, the night before school started, I baked a Krusteaz cinnamon coffee cake for the kids to have for breakfast on Wednesday morning.

I thought these plates and napkins were so cute. I picked them up at Target or Michael’s…I can’t remember now.

These kids are really growing up! All set for their sophomore year…

I appreciate the first day of school smiles.

And, we always take one more pic without the signs.

I actually saw both kids a couple of times on the first day because my room is a little more centrally located now.

One of my friends from my former school is now at my school, and she’s my classroom neighbor…and Hayden is actually in her class. Anyway, she snapped our picture after school which I really appreciated.

One thing about block scheduling is that I realized I now have two first days of school. I was ready to roll yesterday to meet my other classes.

Hopefully, we’ll all have a great year.

Favorite Mom Meme:

WHY can I relate to this one so much? haha

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

With it being back to school, of course I’m sharing first day of school pics through the years…

Kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade.

Time flies!

Weekly Recap:

I had a few posts this week:

Share Our Lives

Teacher Talk Tuesday: classroom

Throwback Thursday: Hayden’s day

I hope you have a great weekend. I’m looking forward to not setting an alarm and hopefully doing what it takes to feel like I have my life together next week!

Kids, School, Traditions

Back to School 2023-24

Posted on August 17, 2023August 16, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Well, we did it…we made it through the first day of the school year!

I used to do the “Back to School Breakfast” when the kids were in elementary, and then started doing the “Back to School Brinner” once they started middle school.

Back to School Brinner:

We had our Back to School Brinner Tuesday night. Travis and the kids were at cross country practice, so I had some time to myself to set up the table and cook dinner.

I use shipping paper as a table runner, and then have my decorations in a tub. Overall, it only takes me a few minutes to decorate.

I can’t believe we’ve held on to this chalkboard for over nine years…it’s a fun tradition.

I made Andrea’s Sausage Square Breakfast Casserole, and it’s a family fave. I made it for Easter too.

I put out donuts, fruit, and yogurt as well.

I like the shipping paper because I can write a few back to school things on it.

Not that it was a “mom fail,” but I didn’t pick up any cute cookies or a Bundt cake this year. Instead, I just put a few cookies in a cup.

Every year, I put a book at their place setting, but this year I “kept it real” with the books they needed to finish reading before school started. haha

I did all my summer reading, so my place setting was a little more simple 😉

It was a good meal to kick off the year…and probably a “snap shot” of most of our dinner times…since we didn’t eat until after 8:00 when they got home from running.

First Day of School Photos:

I’m grateful they still oblige for a traditional back to school photo….one was probably more agreeable than the other 😉

I will say that both set their alarm clocks and got up on their own!

What a difference two years can make…

Year 22 for me…hard to believe!

Back to School Interview:

After school, I picked them up and we got some ice cream. We all deserved a scoop after the first day back.

Then, they answered a few questions for me…

Hayden’s Thoughts:

As an 8th grader, I’m most excited about…sports.
A goal I have this year is…to get all A’s.
I think my favorite subject will be…gym.
One thing I’d like to get better at this year is…math.
The first day of school was…it felt like school.

Hadley’s Thoughts:

As an 8th grader, I’m most excited about…being the “top dawg” in the building.
A goal I have this year is…to keep up with my assignments.
I think my favorite subject will be …science.
One thing I’d like to get better at this year is…math.
The first day of school was…good.

Oh…I miss the days of sweet and funny responses…haha.

Anyway, I’m always thankful we start on a Wednesday…We all need to ease back into reality.

Kids, School

First Day of School: 5th Grade Pics and Interview

Posted on August 27, 2020August 26, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Well, we did it! We all made it through the first day of school!

As I mentioned in Tuesday’s post, we are starting back virtually, and we decided for the kids to go to a tutor (our friend who is former elementary education teacher) two days a week. Well, the first day of school was a tutor day! So, the kids were up around 7:00, ate their Back to School Breakfast, got dressed and then let me take their traditional first day of school pictures.

As I snapped the first day of school photos, I couldn’t help but think:

Time sure has flown by….and here they are on their last first day of elementary school:

We still shopped for back to school outfits. Hadley was adamant about a denim skirt and the shirt (both from Target) was perfect for the first day of school.

I thought Hayden would wear one of his new Vineyard Vines t-shirts, but instead he busted out the new VV polo…looking sharp on his first day.

We did pit-stop at the school for a picture in front of their school sign. We’ve done that every year for five years, and no way was I going to let that tradition slide 😉

We went to the tutor’s house Monday night, and she has everything set up so sweetly. You definitely get the elementary school vibe as soon as you step foot in her basement.

When we arrived yesterday, she had a cute sign for the kids to use for a photo, and then took a group photo.

Hadley and one of her besties had the same Target shirt on!

Throughout the day, the tutor sent some photos. I love this thought as the students came down the stairs.

There’s no escaping the group of girls in this pod. Hayden’s the only 5th grade boy, but there are a couple younger boys to play with when they aren’t learning!

Seeing these photos brought me such peace throughout the day. I’ve been anxious about starting the year, but I know, from these photos, my kids are well taken care of two days a week, and I’ll bring up the rear on educating them them other few days 😂

As I got ready for the day, I found Homer on my bed…I think he was wondering where the kids went. He’s had us around for 5 1/2 months (I can’t even believe it’s been that long!)

Then, I went to school. I almost worked from home, but realized I’ve had a first day of school…in a classroom…for 35 years. I didn’t want to stop that streak!

It was odd being at school with very few staff members, empty parking lots, and quiet halls. I hope a we are all back together soon.

Last week, I decided to do a back to school interview with the kids. Here’s what they had to say:

Back to School Interview:

Hayden’s Thoughts:

This year, I’m excited about: talking to my friends and seeing them when I can.
By the end of the year, I want to: be better at math.
My favorite subject is: Reading
I love learning about: Social Studies
I am great at: PE class
My favorite school cafeteria food is: nacho
If I was the principal for the day, I would:take a day off
When I grow up, I want to be: a golfer, an umpire, or a commentator
The best thing about school is: recess
My first day of school was: weird but ok

Hadley’s Thoughts:

This year, I’m excited about: having one of the best teachers, and to learn at my friend’s house (pod/tutor)
By the end of the year, I want to: have to gotten better at math
My favorite subject is: grammar
I love learning about: different people’s countries and cultures
I am great at: spelling
My favorite school cafeteria food is: chili with noodles
If I was the principal for the day, I would: would give extra recess to everyone
When I grow up, I want to be: an elementary teacher (1st or 4th grade)
The best thing about school is: getting to see my friends and having a partner
My first day of school was: amazing and interesting

We wrapped up the day with a dance recital (performances were taped in class, but I still had to get Hadley ready with hair, makeup, and getting her costumes organized), and a tournament semi-final baseball game!

Today, I will be home with the kids working while they learn! Wish us luck 😉