August 5, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

DIY Personalized Bag Tags and Printables for Lunch Box and Backpack

It’s Back to School time and that means fresh lunchboxes and backpacks. I made some Bag Tags you can personalize and download. The floral backgrounds I chose were from The Lilly blog.

How to Make a Bag Tag:

Supplies:

Cardstock
Printer
Hole puncher
ribbon, rope, or shoelace
laminator (optional)

First download the desired pfd from the end of this post. Personalize with your child’s name.
Print on Cardstock.
Cut out tags from cardstock
Laminate – My current obsession is a $24 Thermal Laminator. I use it to laminate photos, kids’ artwork, soccer certificates, recipe cards, place-mats, bag tags and more. It’s highly addictive and so simple that my daughter uses it.
Trim away excess laminate with scissors or cutter.
Punch a hole and insert ribbon
My boys are not ribbon people, so I used some rope and a shoelace

You are done. Printable templates at end of post.

You can use them on:

lunch boxes
backpacks
diaper bags
suitcases
sporting bags (tennis racket bag)
gifts

Here are the Printable Templates – PDF download

Red & Blue Chevron

Lilly Floral

Green & Pink Chevron

I had several questions about where I got the lunchboxes.

Green. Turquoise and Pink Lilly Lunchbox (old pattern called: later gator)
Navy, Red, Green Quilted Lunchbox
Pink Floral Quilted Lunchbox – This is an older pattern called Raspberry Fizz, so here is a current style.

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July 1, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

The Last Day of School

If there’s one thing I love, it’s the heart of a teacher. I have been blessed with a school where my children’s teachers have quickly become my most treasured friends. It’s not because I’m that mom who’s always there with wonderful crafts to enhance the classroom, because I’m not. Nor is it because I volunteer for every field trip and class party…because I usually don’t. I’ve learned I don’t have to be everything for everybody all the time.

But what I do give my teachers, are hugs that speak volumes. They dedicate their days to shaping the hearts of our babies, often spending more waking hours with them than we do.

When I entrust my child to their teacher, our relationship is turbo-charged. You see, my kids are my soft spot. You can’t mess with them because I have a HUGE mama bear within. With a teacher though, I want them to know my child’s weaknesses and struggles upfront. It’s humbling and makes me vulnerable. A teacher sees my heart exposed and raw, and in turn I get a glimpse of theirs…patient, comforting, full of compassion, and wise.

I imagine I am not the only mom that has cried during parent-teacher conferences or year end celebration. Where there is deep love, there is even deeper emotion. There is an unspoken understanding between a mom and teacher. I love my teachers, and their heart and passion for children is an encouragement to me.

I want to share part a letter my son’s 1st grade teacher read to her class on the last day of school, her beautiful heart so clearly evident: (click here to read the entire letter)

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June 28, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

Kid’s Driver’s License and Test (for bikes)

We were at Legoland this week and my children wanted to ride the electric cars. Before a child was allowed in the car, their picture was taken for a “Driver’s License”. Upon receiving this Driver’s License (which was nothing more than a business card with some blanks), my youngest son’s entire demeanor changed. He felt responsible and trusted. He wanted to make sure he obeyed each and every rule because he had been entrusted with this license. This small card was the highlight of his day and really boosted his ego.

You never know what is going to click with children. This license did, so I decided to use it for my benefit. I created a “Driver’s License Safety Test”.

If a child passes, they will be rewarded a “Driver’s License for bikes and scooters“. It’s proof that they know the safety rules of riding a bike/ scooter. They understand the license can be revoked if a rule is not followed. To have your very own Driver’s License can be a rite of passage, a step up in responsibility which develops confidence.

It is a great tool if a child is receiving a new bike or scooter. The license can represent the responsibility that comes with it. It is exciting. The expectations are clear. Happy Riding!