My boys are starting Kindergarten this year (how did that happen?)I was wondering if anyone has special / fun traditions for the school years. My parents always took a picture of my sister and I waving good-bye at the front door on the first day of school each year.
Thanks!
Karen
Mom to my 3 sons
New Year's Day 2004 34 wks

I do the picture of all 4 of my kiddos each year. And I try to have a special treat when they get home- cookies or muffins or something like that.

Korrie~
^i^B/G/G 24 w 3d,1/17/00
B 10/31/01
B 1/27/03

<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="" alt="Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a>

Every year since kindergarten, I take an individual and group shot of the boys in front of the school sign. When they are little, the look so small compared to the lettering. By sixth grade, they tower over the lettering with the school's name.

Many families have copied this tradition. It's very cute at our school.

Sharon
12 year old b/b/b + 15 year old son

My kids are starting kinder this year too, and I thought I would take a picture in front of the house on the first day of school. Also, I thought about maybe going out to dinner for a special treat that day.

Dawn

Mom to Samantha, Jeremy, Paige and Christian

Born 12/12/03 @ 31w 2d



http://lovinglifewithquads.blogspot.com

ALWAYS a picture on the first day of school. In fact, I have all of their first day pictures in the same frame (one in front of the other...fun to look at each year as I put the new one in!). My trio will be entering the 5th grade this year - my frame is busting out! I also have an end-of-year tradition...I buy ALL of the children on our school bus stop a SMILEY balloon. It's a fun way to start the summer!

As they get older, and as each summer passes, you will have to adjust their bedtime/wake-up time. To ease the transition, on the first day of school, I always have their most favorite breakfast all prepared when they get into the kitchen on their first day of school. This lets them sleep a few minutes longer on their first day.

Also, about two weeks before school starts, we have had "fashion shows." This allows me to see what clothes still fit, what new clothes they need, and what needs to be donated.

Cherish kindergarten!!! Good luck!

Trio Di Mio
BGG born @ 36 weeks

My kiddos are going into 6th grade - argh Middle School! But we have always done pictures for the 1st day of school. In years past, I have even done a pic of them sitting at their "desk". Don't think THAT will fly any more.

But definitely do pictures. I look at their K pictures now and I can't believe what babies they were!

When mine started K, I also bought them each a small plush bear, beanie baby size and wrote their name on it - and put it in their backpack so they could look at it and know Mom was thinking of them if they got lonely. My dd still has hers and cherishes it. It may be a girl thing, but I know my boys kept theirs for a couple of years.

I also let my children pick out a new special backpack and lunch box each year - and a new "start to school" outfit.
We usually get haircuts right before school starts too.

We have a special dinner that night and every one gets to tell us a couple of great things about their day!


http://teensandtriplets.blogspot.com/

Wiltrip Mom with 5
2 teens & BBG - school age and easier than the teens!

"When they're little, they're on your toes. When they're grown, they're on your heart" ...Virginia Robe

We are off to kindergarten this year. I bought the kids new watches. I thought that could be a fun tradition. And of course we will take pictures.

- Katie -
Mommy to: Sydney, Mason, & Cooper (9/3/03)
32 weeks 2 days

We are going to do pictures and tomorrow will be a fun day for the kids and all about them.

BBG Triplets Born March 31, 2004
31 weeks three days
Douglas
Kalie and
John Michael

I also do pictures when school starts, usually the first day of school. If I forget or am rushed on day 1, I take the picture within the first week of school.

I also has a "School Days" photo album that my dds fill out at the end of every school year. I'm sure you've seen something similar. There's a couple of pages for every school year, and my dds can write out their name, teachers' names, best friends, fav. class, etc. It also has a compartment where I put their end of the year report card and certificates and a place a wallet sized school picture. You can find them anywhere. I bought mine from AVON many moons ago.

Gloria

I take a picture of mine right in front of our huge prickly pear cactus. Someday, I want them to say, "Remember when we lived in the desert and Mom took our picture in front of the cactus?"

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com