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I can’t believe Squeaks’ official first day of school is only a few weeks away! Things are getting way too real up in here. Pre-K!? It’s nuts how fast time is going.

I’m super excited to start a few new traditions with her. The first day of school is a big deal and I want it to feel special. I’m so looking forward to watching those little light bulbs turn on and I feel super blessed to be able to help her flip the switch. I always looked forward to the first day of school and I think Squeaks is going to love what I have planned.

There are so many perks to homeschooling. We can make our own schedule, custom fit lesson plans to individual learning styles, learn in our pjs, work around family time. The list of benefits is nearly endless. One thing I didn’t want to miss out on though was the excitement of the first day of school.

Growing up, I always looked forward to going back to school. My mom would take me shopping for new clothes, I’d get a cute first day outfit, and stock up on new supplies. Plus the anticipation of seeing old friends and meeting new ones; it was all so fun! I want my kids to have that!

So I’ve come up with a few fun ways to make the first day of school just as much fun (if not more fun) for our little  homeschool!

Countdown to the big day!

With little ones the concept of time is still a bit of an enigma. Squeaks keeps asking if school is ready yet, because she’s seeing me work on lesson plans. I’ve told her when her first day is but it doesn’t quite compute yet. So I thought a countdown to the big day would be helpful and fun way to help her visualize the passing of time.

I’ve employed countdowns in the past (remember my Valentines and Easter countdowns?) but this one is a bit different because it’s meant to be taken apart. It’s a classic chain countdown, but with a cute little twist. As you remove each day, you can see the days left and there’s also a cute kid friendly joke on each loop. The whole idea is to “start school with a smile!” Fun or what!? Squeaks is gonna love it!

You can get this fun countdown FREE when you sign up for my newsletter and free Printables Library. 

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The first day of school outfit.

Ya, we could stay in our jammies, keep our bed-head, and still learn just as effectively, but where’s the excitement in that? There’s something about getting dressed in an outfit you’ve saved for a special day, doing your hair, and looking good that makes you also feel good.

To accomplish the perfect first day look we have enlisted my mom’s help. She’s become quite the wiz with a sewing machine so we asked her to make Squeaks the perfect first day of school dress. We even made a girls day out of it. We left the boys at home and Squeaks, Gaga, and I went fabric shopping and out to lunch. So fun! Squeaks picked the cutest ladybug fabric, my mom found a great pattern, and we enjoyed time together.

I look forward to making this a yearly tradition. Over the years Squeaks will build a beautiful collection of handmade dresses that will bring back happy memories of time with Gaga and the first day of school!

Make sure you’re following me on Facebook and Instagram to see Squeaks in her special first day of school dress. Because believe-you-me, there will be pictures galore!

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Enjoying this post? Check out How To Start Preschool At Home.

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First day of school pictures.

This is a pretty popular practice already. Taking cute pictures of our little scholars all done up in their first day outfit ready to start the day. It’s a parental right of passage. And then later taking last day pictures to compare their growth over the year and crying into our pillows because our kids are growing too fast! Aw, the joys of parenting.

To mark those first day of school pictures you have to have the perfect sign. So I’ve created an entire line of them, Pre-K all the way through twelfth grade. There’s even a little spot to record what your little one (or not so little one) wants to be when they grow up.

Get your First Day of School Pre-K to 12th Grade Printable Sign here!

First Day of school lunch date.

Seeing as how Squeaks will be all done up in her special dress, I think I’ll take the opportunity for a special lunch date. We can do our morning school work, drop the boys off with family, and have a little lunch time field trip for just us girls. I love the flexibility of homeschool!

I love finding opportunities to spend special one on one time with my kids. With three little ones so close in age, spending time with each one on a personal level is like gold. For such a special occasion, I believe a little mother-daughter lunch celebration is in order.

With all these fun new traditions, starting school is sure to be a memorable and happy occasion for our sweet Squeaks.

What was your favorite part of school as a kid? Do you have any fun first day traditions?