First Day of School & a Giveaway! (Now Closed)

August 28, 2009 · 146 comments

firstday My daughter started 4th grade this week. I can hardly believe I just typed those words. Just yesterday, she was taking her first steps, or so it seems. Now, her head is nearly at my shoulders and she can practically wear my shoes!

First day jitters were not an issue for my social butterfly. Although Sara may say she is sad that summer vacation came to an end, I know she was secretly counting the days until she could return to school. The day was harder on me as her mom!

The night before, I made sure everything was ready for the big day. Special outfit, new backpack, and a nutritious lunch. Sara was so excited she could barely sleep. But I knew she needed her rest, so I enforced a strict bedtime.

Sure enough, she bounced out of bed in the morning as I groggily started my coffee maker. She was ready in no time at all, and wolfed down her breakfast.

After the traditional first day photos, we walked those few short blocks together to the campus. Now a 4th grader, she is the oldest grade at her school, and I could see that she carried herself with a new confidence.

She eagerly greeted her friends in the hallway, and stopped to give the librarian a hug. It warmed my heart to see her so happy to return. At her classroom door, I anticipated a nervous hug, but instead she waved casually and walked right in.

What a change from just one year before! There were no parents lingering at the door, no cameras (besides mine). I stood at the door and watched her find her desk and calmly sit down. I wondered how she could seem so calm, yet MY heart was pounding with anticipation.

Fourth grade is a whole new world. I felt my heart break a little as I realized she does not need me as much anymore. My girl is growing up. I summoned her over and gave her a long tight hug and a kiss. She grinned widely and returned to her desk, ready to start the day.

I walked home slowly, and reflected on the young lady she is becoming. The house was strangely quiet while I sipped my coffee. As sad as I am to see her changing, I am so thankful for her energy and eagerness to learn.

Going back to school is an exciting, fun and sometimes, hectic time. To calm the butterflies and build your kids’ confidence, Hallmark has put together this great resource to encourage moms like you. Just for sharing a bit of advice, you’ll be entered to win a prize package valued at $500! You can check it out over here.

On to the giveaway! I have a $50 Gold Crown Gift Card from Hallmark for one lucky reader.

Congrats to the lucky random winner, #116, Nikki!

For a chance to win:

1. Leave a comment below sharing how you make the first day of school special (initial entry). If you are reading via email or in a reader, please click through to the post to enter.

For Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each):

2. If you are a subscriber or follower (thank you!), leave a separate comment. You may subscribe for free updates via RSS or email and leave a comment telling me you have done so.

3. For a third entry, add Keeping the Kingdom First to your blogroll or add my badge to your sidebar. Leave a separate comment with a link to your site.

This contest will close on Friday, September 4th, at 11pm CST. The winner will be selected by random.org and contacted via email. Contest open to US residents only.

Good luck, and thank you for entering!

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This post and giveaway were sponsored by Hallmark. The thoughts and words are all mine!

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Giveaway: Lunchbox Builder Prize Package! — Kingdom First Mom: September 8, 2009 at 10:08 pm

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← Previous Comments

1 ash August 29, 2009 at 1:48 pm: im a follower!!
2 kendra August 29, 2009 at 2:05 pm: i make sure to send them off to school with their favorite (nutritious) breakfast.
3 kendra August 29, 2009 at 2:05 pm: im a follower!
4 Kelly August 29, 2009 at 4:08 pm: They always dress in a favorite outfit and we have a mini photo shoot.

~blessings,
Kelly
5 Michelle August 29, 2009 at 4:39 pm: I’m just like you in getting everything ready and a lunch to go. Are special thing well everyday is we all gather at the front door and do a group hug and say a prayer. It as if all fears are pushed away with a simple prayer EVERYDAY @ the front door:)
Michelle
6 Michelle August 29, 2009 at 4:39 pm: I subscribe:)
Michelle
7 maria August 29, 2009 at 7:52 pm: what a great prize, I love hallmark!! We always take pictures on the first day of school and scrapbook them together. They get a kick out of it!!
.-= maria´s last blog ..truTV Black Gold House Party Recap =-.
8 Kari August 29, 2009 at 7:14 pm: I don’t have kiddos yet, but my mom would make me a special lunch with a handwritten note on my napkin with the ‘i’ in my name dotted with a heart. So sweet!
9 Betsy Mod. August 29, 2009 at 9:35 pm: I let him pick out a special backpack, shoes and lunch pail to start the new school year!
10 Tara Bucci August 30, 2009 at 7:31 am: I know moms tell me not to rush it…but I can’t wait for these days! I always get so anxious for the next big step!
.-= Tara Bucci´s last blog ..NESCAFE Tasters Choice Coffee =-.
11 Pam T. August 30, 2009 at 7:52 am: When they are younger I like to send silly knock knock jokes in their lunch box or backpack for the first week.
12 Pam T. August 30, 2009 at 7:53 am: I am a follower!
13 Stephanie August 30, 2009 at 11:17 am: I am starting the first year of school (preschool ) with my boys, so I don’t really have any tricks up my sleeves yet. I’d love to start collecting some great ideas, though!
14 Stephanie August 30, 2009 at 11:17 am: E-mail subscriber
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Headed to the Beach! =-.
15 Stephanie August 30, 2009 at 11:20 am: I have your button on my blog.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Headed to the Beach! =-.
16 Nikki August 30, 2009 at 7:01 pm: I make a homemade breakfast and take first day of school photos.
17 Nikki August 30, 2009 at 7:04 pm: I subscribe!
18 denise August 30, 2009 at 7:11 pm: I put a special note in my kids lunchbox.

denise_22315(at)yahoo(dot)com
19 Amanda August 30, 2009 at 7:53 pm: The traditional picture!
20 Chastity August 30, 2009 at 8:47 pm: I LOVE to take a picture of them walking to the building and one with their teacher. I think its more nerve racking for moms than kids:)
.-= Chastity ´s last blog ..You know your THRIFTY when… =-.
21 lavette August 30, 2009 at 11:26 pm: Hi! I am a subscriber!
22 Angela August 31, 2009 at 7:02 am: I let the kids pick out which outfit out of their brand new school clothes, they want to wear! fun_lovin_girlfriend@yahoo.com
.-= Angela´s last blog ..125+ Coupn Giveaway! =-.
23 Renee Rouse August 31, 2009 at 9:59 am: I think my kids favorite memory was when I did a scavenger hunt the day before school started. I hid all of their school supplies and gave them clues as to where they could find them. I also included a little treat for each of them to find.
.-= Renee Rouse´s last blog ..Combating High Diesel Fuel Prices =-.
24 Sharon J. August 31, 2009 at 10:05 am: We try to have a calm morning. We make sure that everything was done the night before so everyone is ready early and can eat something before school.
25 Sharon J. August 31, 2009 at 10:05 am: I am also a subscriber.
26 Cait August 31, 2009 at 10:48 am: Hello, I’m a college instructor, and I think it’s incredibly important to make the first day of school special – even in college! I arrive early and make sure I greet each student. I also assist students with finding their way to classes and with scheduling difficulties.

Thanks for hosting this contest!
27 jay August 31, 2009 at 11:17 am: We are new to this but we took pics. and let him pick out shoes that he was needing anyways-not necessarily b/c of school.
28 Laura August 31, 2009 at 11:52 am: My kids aren’t in school yet, but if they were, I’d go all out that day. Special breakfast.. and a surprise when they got home!
29 Veronica L. August 31, 2009 at 12:35 pm: I always try to take as many photos of my boys before leaving to school, but I also love to make their first day of school breakfast extra special which is cooking them anything they want (Pancakes!) Thanks for a great giveaway
.-= Veronica L.´s last blog ..Free Betty Crocker Potato Sample =-.
30 Tracey August 31, 2009 at 6:22 pm: At breakfast on the first morning of school, we give each of our daughters a small, memorable gift to start off the new school year.
.-= Tracey´s last blog ..Yellow Squash Casserole =-.
31 Ashley August 31, 2009 at 8:33 pm: Favorite breakfast, new outfit, mini photo shoot and hugs!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Beautiful Mom of the Month =-.
32 Kathy Rambousek September 1, 2009 at 10:37 pm: As homeschoolers, our first day is a bit different than most. I try to start the day off well with a special breakfast and morning snack.
33 Kathy Rambousek September 1, 2009 at 10:39 pm: I’m a new subscriber
34 Jessica-MomForHim September 2, 2009 at 11:28 am: I am a subscriber.
.-= Jessica-MomForHim´s last blog ..The Bermuda Triangle of Internet Service =-.
35 kari September 2, 2009 at 2:20 pm: We celebrate! Hurray for another year of learning adventures.
36 Sherry September 2, 2009 at 2:44 pm: Well, this was many years ago for me, but…

Each boy picked out their favorite outfit, we took photos at home and school. Always had a big breakfast as a “party” before they went off for the day.
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..Clean+Green Pet Cleaning Products giveaway =-.
37 Sherry September 2, 2009 at 2:47 pm: I’m a subscriber

slcremer at gmail dot com
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..Clean+Green Pet Cleaning Products giveaway =-.
38 Annmarie W. September 3, 2009 at 11:08 am: My children love school, and couldn’t wait to get back this year. They wear their new outfits that they picked out to wear on the 1st day. And I have cookies waiting for them when they arrive home.
39 Annmarie W. September 3, 2009 at 11:09 am: I subscribe!
40 LaVonne September 3, 2009 at 2:27 pm: My daugther is not quite school age yet, but to make it special, when she does go to school, I think I would help her pick out her outfit, make her favorite breakfast. Get her a special treat for after school and scrapbook the day on a page.
41 Melinda September 4, 2009 at 7:00 am: I prep the day before having them pick out their outfit, have a nice breakfast get them up early enough to be nice and early for school and I always take pics of them on their first day!!
42 Melinda September 4, 2009 at 7:00 am: I’m a subscriber!!
43 Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy September 4, 2009 at 10:36 am: I walk her into class on the first day of school. She thinks thats really special

crystal_reagan at hotmail dot com
.-= Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy´s last blog ..Friday Frenzy =-.
44 Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy September 4, 2009 at 10:36 am: I’m an email subscriber.

crystal_reagan at hotmail dot com
.-= Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy´s last blog ..Get Over $35 In Savings With Proctor & Gamble Coupons =-.
45 Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy September 4, 2009 at 10:36 am: I have your button on my blog.

crystal_reagan at hotmail dot com