Back 2 School Resolutions {2015}

Soon, the chapter of this summer will be over.  The page will turn and the newness of another school year and routine will usher in.  I always hate to see summer end. For me, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year and I try my best to soak up every second. I love spending so much time with my kids where the focus is almost always on having fun.  With the new school year rapidly approaching, our focus shifts from having fun to preparation. While my girls have been eagerly planning out what outfit will be worn on which day and Evan has his fingers crossed that he'll like his new schedule, I've been making a list of resolutions.  With us having so many transitions next year, I want to make this school year one of the best yet.  So, here's how I hope to make that happen.

Payton walking Addi into school on her first day of her 3 year-old program.

I plan to walk the girls either to or from school at least once a week. 

Since I'm a working mom now, it's a little tough to walk the girls to school.  Even though we live close, they are always car riders. There should be a few times when I can walk them to school and plenty of opportunities to walk them home.  I think we walked home once last year and that was only because we had a flat tire.  It's a nice walk and it will give us time to talk and get a little exercise.  And no, I won't be walking Evan.  He's in middle school now and that would be embarrassing.

I plan to skip the drive thru and doughnut shop for breakfast.  

It started out as a weekly treat, but it didn't take long for grabbing a doughnut to become a nasty bad habit.  Quite frankly, no one in this family needs the extra sugar each morning.  Maybe we'll shoot for a once a month doughnut date.  I think that will make it special, because it's not too often.

First day of school 2014

I plan to always have a menu plan.

After doing a little mom shop talk, I think I'm just going to have to bite the bullet each week and get this done.  No excuses!  Aunt Kary just shared her month long menu with me.  Once I get everyone's after school activities lined out and know what meals will work on which nights, I plan to get a master menu going.  My hope is to do a big biweekly shopping trip.  I'm sure I'll have to go once a week for perishable items, but I'm saying good-bye to spending more time at the store than I should.

I plan to spend a whole lot less time on social media.

Popping on Facebook for just a few minutes can quickly turn into more.  I love being able to keep up with everyone, but I think it's time to set some limits.  I don't want to be so caught up in keeping up with other people's lives, that mine passes me by.  These children of mine are growing up so fast!  My nose doesn't always need to be in a phone or the computer.

I plan to let the kids spend more time with their friends/cousins.

We did a great job of spending more time with our friends and cousins last school year.  I plan to continue that on.  I'm going to take a little more initiative on inviting kids over or out for play dates.  Bring on the birthday party invitations!

I plan to be more prepared.

That sounds funny, doesn't it?  The littlest things always seem to make the biggest difference.  If I pack lunches at night, our mornings run much smoother.  If I have the dance bag ready with snacks and leos laid out, dance night is much more pleasant.  Picking out school clothes the night before avoids so much stress in the morning. (Especially, if you have a color blind son or an indecisive daughter who tends to be pokey....just saying.)

Evan's first day of the 4 year old program.  Payton's first day of the 3 year old program.

 I plan to actively look for more fun things to do during the school year.

I'm great at finding fun things to do during the summer.  It might surprise you how many text messages or e-mails I get from people asking what fun can be had.  In fact, my pastor stopped me the other day and asked me what he should take his grand kids to do during the week.  During the school year, I kind of let the search die down.  I'm going to do my best at keeping the fun going all year long.

I plan to spend more time outside.

We're outside a lot during the summer.  When school starts, we spend much less time out.  Even if it's only for a few minutes a day, I want to get the kids out.  Looking at our schedule, I know there are some days when that just won't happen.  But, I think we need to do better as a whole to get out and just let the kids be kids.

I plan to spend more time in prayer.

I want to cover this school year, my kids, and my students in prayer.  All of these other plans are important and I think will help make our school year one of the best yet, but I know the greatest thing that I can do is bring everything before the Lord in prayer.  We had a sermon at church two weeks ago about how when Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn.  There is nothing that separates us from our God.  How amazing is that!  I know that these children really belong to Him and I want to do my best to make sure He is in the middle of all that we do.

Payton, Jessi, and Evan walking home from the first day of school in 2010.

Here's to the best school year yet!