"My hair is washed, my sneakers squeak, I'm so excited, I can hardly speak!

New things to do, new friends to meet-- Hooray! It's the first day of school!"

Is this how your kids are feeling??  Maybe not, but there is definitely excitement in the air.   First day of school activities include a new classroom, desk assignment, roll call from a new teacher, new subject matter, making new friends and of course sizing up the kids around you....who's got what, who's cute and who's not. 

The school and teachers have prepared you with a list of needed school accessories, trying to make sure everyone is prepared and on equal footing, but you know you want your child to have the edge.   Not only are you concerned with whether their personalized backpack will hold up, but is it cool enough for them to be proud of how they look heading into class?  Don't fool yourself, these things are of great importance to kids of every age from kindergarten right on through High School.

For the parent, first day of school can be very emotional.  Your little one is heading off to begin the next phase of their life.  You are not able to be there to pick them up when they fall or make sure they are understood, you always know just what they mean, but will that new teacher?    Many parents would love to get to know the teacher from the start, but sometimes you are not able to meet them for more than a second and from this chance meeting decide if this person will be the best for your child.  Scary stuff for the first timer, but it will get easier.  You've given your child the tools they need, they know how to interact, they know how to behave (hopefully) and now it's up to them.  Of course, it never hurts to "get to know the teacher" by having a special teacher gift for this person who will become such a big part of their life.

At Anything Joe's we help parents select the bags and accessories they will need for the upcoming school year.  But we also help the parents find items to help build memories.  We have Grade School Memory Books and our First Day at School Frame is one you will cherish for years.

Best of luck to all Mom's and Dad's sending their little ones off to that very first day of school this year.  Remember that we are here to help you with your child's school needs whether it's personalize lunch boxes or personalized backpacks or just hanging on to the first day of school memories.