"back to school, back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool"

We interrupt your regularly scheduled vacation update for this back to school post.  And also for this flashback to 1995...

We started the back to school readying with a "Back to School Feast" (an idea which I stole from the nienie dialogues - theme and all).  It was an extra special family home evening that we had last Monday.
First I decorated crowns for each kid with their names on them.  I was blown away by how excited they got about that 10 minute project.  Those crowns were a huge hit!  Then, we all got dressed up for our special dinner.  I moved the table outside, and did a little decorating.  (All this with a little help from my mom who is still here visiting).

Here are their surprised faces after they opened their eyes to see the feast all setup.

Our garden feast

On the Menu: Broccoli Cheese Soup in bread bowls, Arugula Salad with craisins and sunflower seeds, and a special mixed berry/sprite drink.  They loved it!

The dinner was lite, but the dessert was NOT.  Brookies - basically brownies baked on top of chocolate chip cookies.  They were SO rich and sweet, but also a big hit!

We had a special lesson on The Family: a proclamation to the world.  I found 9 mini lessons that make perfect FHEs for younger kids here.  I was amazed by how well they listened and really seemed to understand.  Then, we came inside and Ry gave each child a father's blessing for the beginning of their new school year.  It was a really fun and special night, and I think a new annual tradition for us.

Want to know the best part about having a short 6 week summer?  Little to no back to school prep, I tell you!  Nobody grew out of their clothes, I threw the backpacks in the wash and they are good to go, and one thing I absolutely LOVE - no 100 item list of back to school supplies.  The teachers will send home a list of probably 5-10 items for each child to bring in during the first couple of weeks of school.  Which means, I can easily shop for supplies while they are all in school learning.  Here are my 4 this morning - surprisingly excited to get back to school after such a short break...

Here's my K - 7 years old, 3rd grade (group 5), Sylvia's class.  She is thrilled to bits to be in Sylvia's class - she has a reputation for being nice and understanding (like all teachers should be).  

Don't let this picture of Carver fool you - he is excited for school, just not for pictures.  5 years old, Kindergarten (group 2), Jennifer's class.  He's at the international school with K this year, but I felt a little tinge of regret when we dropped the little girls off at Dutch school and he was speaking speedy Dutch with all his friends, so eager to see them after vakantie (summer break).  Hopefully he will quickly adjust to English school.  

My little Elle-belle - all ready for preK.  4 years old, Group 1, Juffrouw Sophia's class.  She was happy as a clam to be back at Dutch school.

Ava-bear - 4 years old, preK (group 1), Juffrouw Bas's class.  That's right - different classes for our twins this year.  I think they are a little nervous and excited at the same time.  At least they will see lots of each other on the playground and at music time.  Aves was feeling really grownup this morning to be in Carver's old class with a lot of his friends from last year and his old teacher.

Hoping these 2 are as fluent as Carver by the end of the year!

Time to drive to school kids - no waiting in the drop off line for me.

I can't wait till they come home to fill me in on all the details of their little lives.