Thoughts for Thursday: Back to (Pre)School Favorites

Happy Thursday Everyone!  It seems like everyone's kids are back in school already but we are lucky enough to not start until after Labor Day so we're soaking up this last week and a half of summer the best we can!

This year both my boys will be in school!  It will be the first time in over four years that I'll have five hours to myself a week ;).  I'm not even sure what I'm going to do with my time.  Miller will be going three days a week from 9:15-2:45 and Matthew will be going two days a week from 9:15-11:45.   They both seem very excited to start school this year!  I know Miller will be fine since this is his third year at this preschool but I'm afraid Matthew isn't going to love it when he realizes that he's in his own class and not in Miller's class but we'll see how it goes.

Today I decided to round up some of our favorites for back to school. This is the first year that I'll be packing lunch for Miller and I have to give most of the credit to one of my good friends who has four kids and is a pro at lunch packing for her suggestions!  I'll keep you posted as the year goes on how everything is holding up.   

1. Pottery Barn Kids Small Backpack- I purchased this backpack for Miller for Christmas last year and so far it's been great! Right now he just uses it to carry a change of clothes to and from school but I'm hoping this size will last him into the early years of elementary school.

2. Dinosaur Name Labels from Etsy-  Since I'll be sending in lunch items with Miller this year I wanted to have labels on everything in hopes that it will return home with him every day!  I found these adorable dinosaur ones on Etsy and couldn't resist them.

3. Thermos Funtainer water bottle-  My friend suggested these and said they're the best ones she's found that fit the PBK lunch box and do not leak.  They're a bit pricer but she said most of hers have lasted 2 years plus.  I got Miller a solid color blue one and this fun dinosaur one I linked above.  They also sell them in lots of fun prints and characters as well as lots of solid colors.  I found that Target and Amazon had the best selection.

4. Fit & Fresh Cool It ice packs- This was another one suggested to me since they fit perfectly in the front pouch of the PBK lunch box.

5. Pottery Barn Kids classic lunch box- I bought these lunch boxes for the boys for Easter this past spring to take to the pool this summer and we've loved them! I love that they can fit a bunch of stuff and there is a holder for drinks on the side.  Miller has the dinosaur one to match his dinosaur backpack.

6. Pottery Barn Kids Spencer bento box- I just purchased these for Miller to take to school.  I decided to go with this one since there are five compartments and I can send a variety of food with Miller for lunch. I'm a little nervous about how much he'll actually eat at school so I'm hoping a variety will help.

7. Mini Boden Raglan Tee- I love these tees for the school year.  They are a bit pricier but they are so well made and really will last through the whole year.  I also love the raglan style and love that the sleeves are long enough for my tall skinny boys.

8. Dinosaur vs School- I picked up this book for the boys, mostly Matthew, in hopes of easing any school nervousness they might be feeling.  We have the potty version of this book and my boys absolutely love it and think its hysterical so I know they'll love this one.

9. The Night before Preschool- this is another one I picked up to prep Matthew for school.  We have the Christmas one and love it so I'm hoping this one will be just as cute and help with getting ready to go to school.

10. New Balance 888 Sneakers- I've been putting the boys in New Balance sneakers since Miller started walking and love them.  This year Miller really wanted them to have the "big kid" ones as he called them so these are the ones we purchased.

11. Old Navy Pull On Pants- Miller has to have easy to pull on and off pants for bathroom time so these Old Navy ones became a favorite last year.   We have already stocked up for this winter in the next size up.

12. Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket-  While the real cold doesn't hit until closer to December I always purchase these jackets for the boys in early fall before they sell out. Matthew always gets Miller's hand me down and then Miller gets a new one.  I'm leaning toward this green color for this year.

Any good back to school essentials I'm missing?  Any advice for packing lunches?  Do you do it in the morning or night before?  Any fun lunch ideas for a picky eater?  

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