Ways To Make Back To School Special

Back to school is a bit different for a home-school family. We don't receive a list of school supplies to buy. We don't have open houses, teachers gifts or need to go back to school clothes shopping.
 Having said that, I think it is just as important for us to make the start of a new school year special even without the typical back to school routine. I don't want Marissa to feel like she rolled out of bed one day and WHAM a huge pile of school was suddenly there. Like it just appears over night. I want her to feel prepared. So here at Newman Family Independent Christian Home-school (catchy little name isn't it?) we go out of the way to mark the beginning of a new school year.
Here are a few things that we like to do to make the start of the new year special.

{Family Outing}
Although summer may not officially be over with, nothing seems to put a damper on summer fun like going back to school. We try and have one last summer fling of some sort. That may look like a trip to a nature or science center, the zoo, swimming pool or anywhere else your family enjoys.
Last year we hit up a nearby science center.

{Ice Cream}
Any tradition that includes ice cream is automatically a winner in my books. Last year we went out to get ice cream the night before school started. I definitely see us keeping this tradition around for many years to come.

{First Day Photos}
Some of my favorite pictures have been ones from Marissa's first and last days of school. It is so amazing to watch how much she grows in just one year. Every year we use these great printables from I Heart Nap Time.
Pre-K4 2012

Kindergarten 2013 

Documenting "when I grow up..." has been fun to. I wonder if she will say Mommy again this year?

{Hand Print Art}

Another easy way to track how much they grow is by hand prints.

This can be done in a creative way like this.

Or more traditional, maybe even with a cute poem.

{First Day Breakfast}
The first day of school can be a bit hectic, even as a homeschooling family. But I have found that having a special back to school breakfast is worth the time. It helps with nerves and sets the day up as something special from the start. A special breakfast will be different for every family. In our house it can be as simple as picking up the can of cinnamon rolls that I never buy. It doesn't require much effort on my part and means a lot to the girls.
{Back To School Interview}
Guaranteed to keep you laughing for years to come here are a few of my favorites.
Positively Splendid Giggles Galore

Hazel and Ruby

I hope this list gave you some ideas of how you can make the beginning of the school year special for your kids.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you do to make the new school year exciting and memorable for your family?