Back-To-School Favorites

When Margaret was almost two, she started two days a week at the preschool affiliated with our church out in Dallas. Even though I was still at home with her full-time, we felt like our little love would enjoy time with tiny friends and different teachers and I benefited from having reliable childcare. It was one of the best decisions we made and she’s been in school ever since. We followed the philosophy of “as many days per week as she is years old” so the first two years she did two days a week. Then last year she started at three days then we ended on four days. This year she’ll be in full-time Pre-K and it feels like such a big deal! After three years of school we’ve found some back-to-school favorites that we go to year after year!

Labels- I’ve used NameBubbles since Margaret started in the church nursery and gym childcare. I experimented with other brands, and these have been the absolute best for us. You can add details like phone numbers, or just a giant name sticker perfect for labeling bigger items like her tennis racket it lunch box. Now that I have two little ones I am also going to order general Hamlin Family labels. The “School Label Pack” is my go to with a variety of dishwasher and laundry safe options. Plus 1$ from every School Label Pack purchase goes to the charity Blessings in a Backpack. 

Hair Bows – I have a few cute resources for bows and clips. Especially when she had tiny baby hair I found the sweet little themed felt clips we’re perfect for keeping her hair back. My favorite brand of bows is Wee Ones. They hold up well, clean well (soaking in soapy water then air drying) and they have classic and themed options. But, they’re on the pricier side so I have a mix of bows from Walmart and Target for when I suspect there’s a high chance of loss potential. I also have had great success with some Etsy shops for fun holiday or special occasion bows- even one for spirit days at school that I had embroidered “Go Falcons” and I’m sure they could do whatever you wanted! Magnificence MaciesCustomBowz. New this year I ordered a cute bow from The Bow Next Door that matches Margaret’s uniform plaid. Right now their turn-around for bows is 3-5 days so plenty of time to stock up before school starts!

Lunch Containers – Last year we tried the YumBox containers for the first time and are going to keep using them this year. They’re easy for Margaret to open and have helpful portioned out dividers. The one drawback is that the tray inset is a separate piece from the clamshell box, but overall the design seems purposeful and effective if you ever want to use a divided section for something with liquid-like applesauce or yogurt. We ordered ours off of Amazon but I noticed that L.L. Bean has them and occasionally offers 20% off, so be on the lookout for that. 

Snack Bags – We’ve used the Skip Hop bags for 3 years and they work great for dry snacks like goldfish, but I’m also going to add some Stasher bags to the mix because I’ve heard such great things and they will be better for snacks like grapes or cheese because they’re easier to clean. I also use these silicone baking cups even inside her lunch box to further divide snacks. It also creates more color contrast with foods and that presentation can be encouraging for kids to eat. Margaret is the kind that needs extra encouragement and presentation tricks to get her to eat, so we vary our strategies. These cups are also great for after school snacks for not just presentation but appropriate portions. 

Lunch Box-  This will be our 4th school year her same Oh Mint brand of lunch box, I purchased at Hip Hip Hooray in Dallas and they just launched their website. If you’re not familiar with their store, you should definitely follow along on Instagram and peruse their new site. They are a go-to for all things precious. Each day the Oh Mint it fits her Yumbox, ice packs, and snack bags and has held up well. I’m toying with a bigger lunch box, but since this one has served us so well we’re just going to stick with it for now. 

Napkins/Placemats – To cut down on waste, our school asks students pre-k and up to pack cotton napkins and reusable (cotton or otherwise placements). I ordered a big pack of white cotton napkins from Amazon and I am going to try these silicone placemats. We actually have these for eating out with Catherine so I know they’re good quality, I am just not totally sure they’ll be good for Margaret’s picnic tables. But honestly, with the YumBox bento box style, she doesn’t really need a placemat. 

Water Bottles – Margaret’s favorite still is the Nalgene bottle. It feels like we’ve never had a leaking problem with them and they hold a lot of water! She can also pretty easily open it up herself if she feels independent enough to refill it herself. 

Ice Packs– We have a two ice pack system which is what the FDA recommends. In case anyone is curious, here’s the link. This large rectangular one covers a lot of surface area and is nice and slim. Then for the top we do something cute. Last year she wanted a dinosaur skeleton and this year she’s all about these princess ones from Pottery Barn. 

Silicone Cupcake Liners – Great to put within the Bento box. It provides division but also can encourage eating by making it look like a smaller portion. 

Lunch Box Notes – I started doing these with Margaret last year when Catherine was born for both practical and sentimental reasons. I actually show her the card in there so she looks forward to it. If her grandmother is picking her up I put a “J” as a code for her. I draw a tennis racket on tennis days, etc … I’m ordering this pack again from Amazon but I also ordered this precious pad from Katie Corley Art via Instagram. 

Rain Jacket – Our school asks that we keep a rain jacket in their cubby just in case so last year I found an affordable basic one on Amazon and am ordering again for this year. Her other rain jacket is Vineyard Vines and it has been unbelievably durable and lasted her for two years so I plan to buy her another one. 

Shoes – Margaret’s first 3 years in school she wore the t-strap Keds along with mary-jane Cientas and the “Andy” by Chus. I love the classic look and functionality of the shoes, and they’re all billed as unisex. The rubber soles make them playground friendly. Her red Chus still fit from last spring so I’ll just order the next size when she needs them. The leather toppers make it easy to keep clean throughout the year. I am crazy and periodically clean them with a magic eraser, but honestly taking care of her things is what is making it so easy to pass on stuff to her little sister and so far it has been worth it. On days she plays tennis after school she wears her true athletic shoes which right now are New Balance but sometimes she finds Nikes that she likes. 

Margaret’s school also asks for us to keep a full change of uniform- including shoes so I grabbed some well-priced canvas sneakers from Walmart. 

Cookie Cutters – Cutting her food into cute shapes encourages Margaret to eat and makes me feel just a little bit like I have it together. One time we were so behind on grocery shopping that I had to make her a peanut butter sandwich using frozen waffles as the bread. You better believe I used a heart-shaped cookie cutter on that thing and it totally looked like the waffle sandwich was on purpose – Margaret still asks for them sometimes! P.S. Don’t forget the waffle hack, I am sure Margaret will see waffles this year at some point. 

Student Work Display- this is one of the most important things to me- I love displaying Margaret’s art and use these frames from Target. I have them in white and can only find the black option right now, but check in the store if you need the white wood. They have storage behind them and look so nice on our walls. I also use these 3M clips for irregular size art pieces. This one from Crate and Barrel also looks interesting for all the different sized papers we get home, I may order that this year if my 3M clip system isn’t cutting the mustard. Ikea has child’s artwork frame options but they don’t have the storage built-in like the ones we chose from Target. We also whip out trusty painters tape and just stick it on the wall or fridge. 

Back-To-School sign- I’ll never forget Margaret’s first year at her mother’s day out. I barely had any idea what I was doing and a sweet friend from our neighborhood playgroup offered to get a sign for Margaret. A small love gift that made a huge difference. In the past, I’ve done paper but decided to do this The Beaufort Bonnet Company Pennant in pink. I was torn between that or the wands I’ve seen like this one from Over The Moon Gifts. 

Pajamas – I have a few weaknesses and themed pajamas are among them. Were’ definitely getting these The Beaufort Bonnet Company apple pajamas for the girls to wear this fall as well as these Magnolia Baby Back-To-School jammies for Margaret.  Katie Corley Art, where I found the precious lunch box notes, also has adorable Back-To-School signs to choose from.  

Back-To-School-Dress – I cannot get these cute Little English crayon dresses out of my head for Margaret and I’m thinking with Catherine wearing 12m comfortably right now, if I stretch it and get her an 18m there’s a chance she’ll still squeeze into it next Fall when she’ll start a MDO program. I gave Margaret a few choices for her Back-To-School dress and this was her favorite so I am going for it. Even though she wears uniforms, they can match for Opening Chapel and they’ll be cute to rotate in for church. They’re selling out fast but I got ours at J.Wills. When Margaret wasn’t in uniforms, her school-themed clothes were the most versatile by far – she wore them regardless of holiday or season – so they were my favorite to buy. Last year Margaret wore this precious blue windowpane dress with smocked apples from Cecil and Lou and since hers fits so well still I am ordering a matching one for little sister to wear throughout the fall with Margaret. 

Uniforms – For all my uniform friends out there, we’re planning on getting Margaret’s uniforms through the schools used uniform exchange and then add on what we need after that. After trying a few options, our favorite bloomers are from Primary. They wash and wear the best over the other brands I tried. When she wasn’t in uniforms she had precious themed monogrammed bloomers. My favorite Etsy shop for those is SilverSpoolShop. Also, I just picked up some simple navy Cat & Jack uniform cardigans from Target.