Priceless Back to School Tradition

Many children are celebrating their first day of school this week. Does your family have any special traditions?  Please share your ideas. We are stilling working on finding a solid back to school tradition. A while back I bookmarked this inspiring blog post about a Back to School Feast.  We might try an alternative “celebrating the first week of school feast” this weekend. I love the idea of making the return to the classroom something special.

If your family doesn’t have a tradition I would like you to consider starting a photo tradition.  Be sure to give yourself a little extra time on the first day of school.  Get yourself a small chalkboard and write your child’s grade level, as well as their teacher’s name.  Then do a short photo shoot with your child holding the chalkboard.  Have them hold it at their waste, above their head, in front of their head, wherever it makes them smile.

*Let’s Lasso the Moon Tip:  JoAnn’s sells adorable wood framed chalkboards. I actually bought one for each girl because I know they will want to play with them too.  They are in the natural wood section of the store.  If you get lost, ask for help!

Want to ensure you get a great back to school shot? 
Here are a few photography tips:

• You have a digital camera so take a zillion and one shots.  You can always delete, delete, delete later.
• Take your photos outside in the natural light.  Avoid your flash.
• To get a big grin start your photo shoot by saying, “I want to take your picture, but there is just one rule, NO SMILING. I mean it, do not smile.” Have your camera ready.
• If the smile feels forced ask your child to do a “crazy pose.” Take a shot and then ask them to do a “sweet face.” The key is always to ask for another crazy pose again and then laugh.  Sometimes the crazy pose photos end up being my favorites!

How adorable are my ladies?

*Note: Their teacher’s names have been edited
out of the photo for the girls’ privacy.

Yes, the paper version of this is cute too!  Alternative messages you could write for future photos include:

• Happy Birthday to Me
• Today I am Five
• Happy Birthday Grandma
• Love You
• Christmas 2011
• Happy Mother’s Day
• Today I became a big brother!
• Door County :: Or any city or state you travel to.
• {Set idea} Board one: Big sister.  Board two:  Little sister.
• {Set idea} Board one: Thing One.  Board two:  Thing Two.
• Got additional ideas?  Be sure to share on Facebook or in the comment section below!

The thing I like most about being a mom is that Shad and I can create new family traditions. The freedom is sometimes actually overwhelming.  There are too many choices and of course, not enough time in the day. Do this one thing and then share your photo with me over on Facebook.  To quote VISA, I can guarantee you will get a photo that is “priceless.”

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