First Day of School Traditions

I sent my little man to preschool for the first time last year (while I was trying not to cry) and pictures were more of an afterthought than the plan ('cause I was lucky I wasn't crying).  I took a picture of him literally walking towards school, some of his front and some of his back.  There wasn't anything on the front porch like my mom took of us but a collection of him walking towards school.  So I am working on planning first this year :)

We are going to try to work on some first day of school traditions for our family.  I am not really sure if I remember any traditions from my family.  Do you have any great ones???  I was thinking about a special breakfast and pictures to keep it simple on a busy day.

First step, the special breakfast to prepare for school with a full tummy.  I have already gotten three options for breakfast: Dinosaur Egg Oatmeal, Pancakes, or Waffles.  I was thinking about a different place setting that would make him happy but couldn't come up with anything myself.

Here is the first idea that I saw with a special place mat and a chalk centerpiece.  But it might be a little too much for my three year old to take because he would think that it is art time first thing in the morning.

I saw this neat idea with the pencils already worked in which can be added to any other place setting ideas. 

Then I found this blog, talking about how to decorate the table for the whole family and different food ideas.  I really liked the scrabble tiles to spell out back to school.  I might do that or my little guys name at his seat or maybe his grade level.  He could hold that for the picture too!!!

First day of school pictures are the big decision next after breakfast.  Of course to avoid the rush, best make decisions ahead of time so that we are ready!! 

Here is one where they print a sign on the computer for the kid to hold.  What I love about this is that there is not any confusion later about what grade it is and what the date is because it all in the picture.  Check out the original posting and see if you like her idea.

Here is another idea of dressing them in mom and dad's clothes so that you can watch them grow into them.  Of course, the trouble runs into when my little man gets to be bigger then his Daddy!  Check out her post because there are a bunch of other pictures.

Okay, this is another one of my favorites, putting the paper up next them while they are sleeping!!! I love writing the information on the driveway in chalk (something you can do when they are young and they can do when they are older).  And putting together a neat collage is always a great option which takes a little more time.

Lastly, I decided to look at the most overwhelming place- Pinterest!!  There are way too many options here but I like recording what they want to do when they grow up as an additional option or something that they are interested in.

Do you have any great ideas?  We aren't going back to school until the second week of September so I still have lots of time to get thinking.  Hope that you have some great ideas for your little ones :)