Happy Thursday! We are flying through this week! If you’ve been reading along, this is my last week before I go to back to work. I’m having fun, but it’s like one big Sunday with work looming over my head. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE MY JOB! But given the choice between going to work and going to the pool or hanging out with the kids, I pick not work every time. I am looking forward to seeing my work friends and a routine, but the transition is a little tricky for me.

Every month I join Holly and Patty to answer some seasonal questions. This month they are all about back to school and fall. Let’s get to it!

1. Do you meal plan and prep? Any favorite back to school recipes to share?

I have to meal plan if I want to have any semblance of a decent dinner for everyone. Last year we started eating around 4:15 and it worked. I am planning on that again this year. I don’t like to eat after everyone gets home from practices because I feel like it just drags out the shower/bedtime process.

Last year I started making one big meat item and using it a few ways during the week. I think we are going to start the year like that again. Week one will probably be shredded chicken in the crockpot for tacos, bbq chicken, chicken salad, etc.

2. How do you buy and organize school supplies?

I always buy school supplies on August 1st. The sales and the selection are good then. When we bring them home, I divide them up by person and keep them in the Target bag until Tuesday or Wednesday before kids go back to school. I tend to buy a bunch of extra crayons (always Crayola), pencils (Ticonderoga or Bic Velocity), and glue sticks (always Elmers). I also pick up a new pack of flair pens for myself to start each year. We have a fabric bin on the main floor of our house with all the extra school supplies for the kids to replenish their pencil boxes throughout the year.

3. Any back to school traditions?

We always take a picture on the front porch together. Last year we took them twice. Once on the first day of school and once on the first day of in school. Honestly, we could’ve taken them 5 times with all the switches from virtual to hybrid and back, but that would’ve been ridiculous!

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4. Bring lunch? Buy lunch? Favorite lunchbox item?

Lunch is my favorite meal to eat out. If there is an opportunity to buy lunch from a restaurant, I do it. Our school is an early elementary school. That makes it tricky to order lunch so I usually pack. Sometimes I pack a snack lunch but I usually try to bring leftovers or eggs. I have a microwave and I throw some veggies and eggs in a little container and cook/scramble them in there.

5. Favorite thing about back to school then and now?

I love love love new school supplies! New notebooks, crayons, pens, and pencils are just so great! I am also ready for our routine to be set. The anticipation of change and not jumping right into it is weighing on me right now.

6. Pumpkin spice… love or hate?

HATE!! I don’t like anything pumpkin or pumpkin flavored.

7. Do you decorate for fall?

I don’t really decorate for fall. I keep things pretty neutral from September 11th, when I put my red, white, and blue away, until October 1st, when I put our Halloween decor out.

8. How do you transition your wardrobe to fall?

Cardigans, cardigans, cardigans. I love cardigans and they are the perfect way to keep my fun sundresses and short sleeve tops going for a while. Eventually I will put some fall-ish colors on – orange, deep purples, reds, but I try to wear bright colors for a long time!

9. Favorite fall fashion staples?

Cardigans, of course. I like wearing jeans with sandals and a light sweater and not being hot. I have a few short sleeve and elbow sleeve dresses that are perfect for fall when it’s chilly in the morning but warmer in the afternoon. I’m not a big boot or bootie girl, so I tend to wear sandals as long as possible while mixing in flats.

10. When does school start where you live?

We go back to school after Labor Day. Typically we go back Tuesday after Labor Day but that is Rosh Hashanah this year so we are starting back on Wednesday.

That was so fun! I can’t wait to see what everyone else’s answers are. I I know that a big part of the country is back to school already so they are living back to school. Be sure to check in with Holly and Patty to see their answers, too! I’ll be back tomorrow with my favorites from the week. Have a great day full of sunshine and books!