Back 2 School Blog Tour 2019: Preschool Edition

                      Hello friends! I’m happy to be back again today (so much more time for blogging now that we’re home!) as part of the Back to School Blog Tour, hosted by Karly of Paisley Roots (be sure to read to the end to enter the giveaway- she’s got some great prizes!).

I usually try to sign up for a school-themed blog tour around the start of the school year, because it helps get me excited about (and on track for) our new homeschool year. Since we homeschool, I can set our own start dates, and without these reminders, we might just cruise through half of September before finally giving up the ghost on summer. So thanks for the reminder Karly!

This year is shaping up to be a little bit different though,  in part because we have an extra special addition to our formal (ish) school time: Miss Sophia, who is early awaiting the start of her first official day of Preschool.

Last year we casually referred to her being in “tot school”, which generally meant that whenever I had enough brain cells to rub together, I’d try and rustle up an educational activity for her, as a supplement to the countless hours we spend reading, coloring, and playing together (see last year’s B2S post here!). Having two big brothers, she actually picked up on quite a bit this way, and, as of the writing of this post. can count to 9, spell her name, identify most colors with accuracy, and sports a pretty impressive vocabulary for a three year old (though sometimes she just says “poop” over and over…).

As I watched her mature over the past year from a kid who could barely spend 10 seconds at the school table to one who begged for her own “learning time”, I knew that this year would be a great time to start some more formal schooling.

Don’t worry- we aren’t fans of pushing heavy academics at this age- but she’s craving, and will really enjoy, some more focused sessions this year. For us that means a weekly letter/phonics theme, along with plenty of time learning math, language, and science through play invitations that I’ll set up for her. If she doesn’t want to do it, that’s ok too- but I bet she will, and I’m looking forward to working with her, and discovering her own unique learning personality.

The other piece to her education will be in the form of social skills. My twins were always homebodies- they wanted to be at home, with mama, if  they could. I put them in some activities at Sophia’s age, but until around 6-7 years old, they took little interest in deep social friendships or interactions outside those of our extended family, and really preferred to be at home, in their own little world.

Sophia is the polar opposite- she thrives on social interactions, and made a new “best friend” at every campsite we visited. She really needs an opportunity to stretch her skills socially as well as academically- so I enrolled her in a 1-2 day per week preschool program. I’ll be honest- this was a bit hard for me. What if she gets her feelings hurt? What if she misses me? What if I miss her? I’m sure these “what ifs” run through every parents’ mind, but they felt especially poignant for me, as she is my youngest, and last child. However, I finally decided that I needed to let both of us give it a try- and she’s starting on Friday!

With a personality like this, I think she’s going to rock it!

Sending her to school with a me-made outfit, while I wore a coordinating one, seemed like just the right way to send a little part of myself with her, and keep a little part of her at home with me, so here we are. The colors are intentionally bright and cheerful- I want this to be a joyful transition for both of us, and the bold hues reflect that.

I chose the New Horizons Maui Tank for my top (tested here), binding the edges with my favorite technique (tutorial here).

The fit on this tank is just excellent, and it I love how the racerback version of the power bra peeks out just a bit.

This pattern has several views, but I seem stuck on this one- sometimes there’s no substitute for a well fitting basic! The fabric is really fun too- a faux knitted brushed poly print from So Sew English.

My leggings are the Greenstyle Inspires (with the no-side seam hack), and an added yellow zipper pocket for an extra dose of cheer.

The fabric for these is a heavyweight athletic from Boho Fabrics– it’s brushed on the inside, and super soft to wear. Unfortunately, it’s not very opaque (my dark undies showed right through!), so I’ll only be wearing these with nude colored underwear, or at least a longer top, but the quality is excellent, and the brushed back will be welcome as the weather cools.

Sophia’s dress is the New Horizons Tahiti, with the full back and curved hem.

It’s a bit long for her now, but assuming this dress doesn’t get assimilated in preschool, I plan to have her wear it at the end of the year for photos so we can see how much she’s grown! I bet it will be almost top length then- she’s really been sprouting up lately.

Since she loves dinosaurs, I thought she’d enjoy the fabric (from So Sew English), but in true preschool form, she hardly noticed it. I guess unicorns are more her obsession of the moment?

Oh well- I love it, and she did appreciate the softness of the fabric, so there’s that! This pattern actually has another fantastic view with a wrap sash, and while I didn’t make it for Sophia (knowing she would spend all day, every day un-tying it and then asking me to re-tie it…) I DO desperately want this pattern in a women’s version…

Her leggings are the free Bonny leggings from Made for Mermaids, with picot elastic used for the hem. I added 1″ to the rise and did a turned under elastic finish on the waistband (instead of a fabric band), because it tends to stay up better that way over her round  tummy and flat bottom.

Something else that I’m really excited for this year is our new mode of locomotion- a electric pedal assist bike. A Tern GSD, specifically! I alluded to this in my last travel post- but in addition to getting a new trailer in Denver (that could hold a bike!) I also managed to convince hubby to buy me this awesome bike! It can hold up to 600 pounds of cargo in the two panniers and front rack, and I’ve used it to haul two kids, a week’s worth of groceries, a few dozen library books, and on occasion, a bit of laundry around town.

The pedal assist function has four different levels depending on how much help I want or need, meaning I can get a great workout, but not have to worry that I won’t make it up the next hill. Most importantly, Sophia, who had hated her car seat since Day 1, loves it.

She can really look around and see the world, and it has transformed our commutes from tedious chores into an opportunity for bonding and learning. I plan to use it to take her to and from preschool, and also to encourage more family riding, as we now are able to get out more and ejoy riding to the farmer’s market, the boys’ activities, and our local parks. I’m able to go up to 20-25mph, so honestly, sometimes we even get there faster than we would have in a car!

Well, that’s it for my little part of the Back 2 School Blog tour- wish us good luck on our new school year, and please check out the other bloggers and be sure to enter the giveaway!

 

 

Giveaway!
10% off all patterns from DIBY Club with code: B2Sblogtour (expires Aug 25, 2019)
2 patterns of choice from DIBY Club (bundles excluded)
 2 patterns of choice from Rad Patterns
2 patterns of choice from Paisley Roots

 

1 pattern of choice from Sisboom

 

1 pattern of choice from Little Lizard King
1 pattern of choice from Titchy Threads

 

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42 Comments

  1. Randi Parton on August 13, 2019 at 7:45 am

    This bike looks so cool! And I love your mom- daughter outfits! I’m sure Sophia will do great at school!

    My big kids are wearing uniforms this year so I may do some outerwear sewing for them. My toddler is starting dance, so I’ll be making her a few leotards.

  2. Danielle on August 13, 2019 at 7:47 am

    Awesome blog post! Hope you all have a wonderful school year ❤️

  3. Jess Wilcox on August 13, 2019 at 7:55 am

    I’m sewing up stuff for me because we also homeschool and my kids have too many clothes already.

  4. Whitney Gealta on August 13, 2019 at 8:08 am

    I’m sewing up a bunch of dresses for my pre-school tot! That’s all she loves to wear! The tank and leggings you made your daughter are adorable!

  5. Amanda on August 13, 2019 at 8:31 am

    Fun sews! I have the same material as your top 🙂 I am planning on making coordinating outfits for my boys for the first day of school. My 10 yo on the autism spectrum loves his baby brother and I know the transition to being away from him all day every day is going to be hard. He takes a special liking to the baby unlike the rest of his siblings. So we will be making coordinating shirts for them to wear and think of eachother while they are away from each other 🙂

  6. Jessi J on August 13, 2019 at 8:38 am

    So great! Next year, my son will start Pre-K, and I’m planning to bike to school with him every morning. We could bike to his preschool, but it’s across a busy highway. You guys look great!

  7. Caitlin Krause on August 13, 2019 at 8:44 am

    What a great post! It seems like our littles would get along famously! He also likes to walk around yelling poop and is very into dinosaurs AND unicorns also!

    • Michelle Schuh on August 13, 2019 at 10:40 am

      I absolutely love everything about these 2 outfits. My back to school sewing needs to include long sleeves and cardigans but I will definitely put your daughter’s dress on my list for next summer!

  8. Alyssa Ramirez on August 13, 2019 at 9:10 am

    Love your outfits and your new bike!! I totally need to try the picot elastic on the hem for my daughter, such a cute idea.

  9. Jessica G. on August 13, 2019 at 9:13 am

    Milestones are always so exciting and a bit sad at the same time! I love the coordinating outfits, they are cheerful and perfect for a fun change!

  10. Brittany on August 13, 2019 at 9:20 am

    So fun! For back to school, we are sewing strides, maxxines, and Lexi joggers (but not until it gets cold enough in about 6 weeks!). For tops, we will be trying the Hey June Camden Raglan for my size 10 and Bella Sunshine Raegan for my little 3T and NHD Cascade tees

  11. Amanda on August 13, 2019 at 10:23 am

    Love the bike!! My kids wear uniforms to school so unfortunately not much back to school sewing for them. However, I take this time to focus on sewing myself some much needed basics every year instead!

  12. Leigh Thow on August 13, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Oh my I thoroughly enjoyed this blog and to be truthful yours is the main one I follow. I’ve loved following your summer journey and was really interested to read about your new bike as I recently joined the electric journey, although my MTB is limited to 15mph assistance! Great outfits and your daughter is very tall ❤️

    • Sarah on September 13, 2019 at 9:20 am

      Thank you Leigh! I hope you’re enjoying your e bike as much as I’m enjoying mine!

  13. Mandy on August 13, 2019 at 11:30 am

    I’m working on sewing for me for B2S. I might be starting a new job and need to sew some cardigans and ‘nicer’ shirts!

  14. Rosemary O'Koren on August 13, 2019 at 11:40 am

    Since I do not have anyone going back to school this year, I am making more tops for me and work dresses for my daughter.

  15. Madi on August 13, 2019 at 11:45 am

    I love the fabrics you used!!

  16. Tam Grant on August 13, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    The fabric of your singlet is cool!

  17. Tracy on August 13, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    Love your outfit! And that yellow zipper

  18. Bec Munro on August 13, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    We are in Australia, so it’s the middle of the school year for us. However, I’m planning to make more Brassies. With a maternity hack, they’re the perfect pants for the school run!

  19. Kayla on August 13, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    I’m planning to sew some leggings for my half marathon training. My boys wear uniforms to school, so I’m focusing on me!

  20. Alex on August 13, 2019 at 1:52 pm

    I’ll be sewing all the hoodies – they are my favorite! You two look ready to go!

  21. Mandy Sieger on August 13, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    I’m planning on sewing some shorts for my daughter. She’s 9, tall and thin for her age and all the RTW shorts are way too short on her.

  22. Alexandra Resch on August 13, 2019 at 2:40 pm

    I loveeeee this! That bike is amazing and I am obsessed with that knit tank fabric! Love that you’ll have pieces of each other while shes at school !

  23. anne b. on August 13, 2019 at 5:45 pm

    What a cutie your daughter is! I love both outfits – you did a fabulous job. The bright pink is so cheerful and that dinosaur print…I need to get my hands on that fabric! Enjoy the new bike (simply awesome) and back to school!

  24. Katie on August 13, 2019 at 7:33 pm

    That dinosaur fabric is so cute! No back to school sewing here, my oldest kiddo is only 2!

  25. N. MacGregor on August 14, 2019 at 2:39 am

    I don’t have any kids heading back to school but as a retired teacher I can appreciate how stressful this time of year is for parents. Fortunately for parents that sew back to school clothes for their kids there are many great printed kids fabrics along with amazing patterns to choose from when making back to school clothes or all year long.

  26. Charissa on August 14, 2019 at 7:54 am

    Love your matching outfits!

  27. Stacie Sawicki on August 14, 2019 at 9:15 am

    Sadly I won’t be doing much B2S sewing this year, my 9mo old doesn’t like to nap be herself so the only time I get is at night after she goes to bed which is usually spent getting caught up on cleaning
    But I do plan to at least make both of my boys a new hoodie to replace their favorite ones that they have outgrown!

  28. Pamela C on August 14, 2019 at 9:46 am

    What a wonderful way to commute!

    You do such a wonderful job with all of your sewing projects! I think it was another post that you asked about how you would look in a romper. You would look marvelous!

    • Sarah on September 13, 2019 at 9:18 am

      Thank you Pamela! Maybe a romper will make its way into my fall sewing plans!

  29. Pamela C on August 14, 2019 at 9:49 am

    I missed the question! I don’t have kids going back to school but I have grandkids and plan on helping my granddaughter learn to sew. No plans right now to make them anything. I am so looking forward to retirement when I will have free time to do more of what I want to do, which includes sewing.

  30. Stacey S on August 14, 2019 at 10:18 am

    I love how bright your top is! The material is beautiful.

    • Stacey S on August 14, 2019 at 10:18 am

      I’m sewing some simple hoodies since I am still a beginner!

  31. Alison on August 14, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    I will be sewing some t-shirts for my kids. Great job on your outfits!

  32. Marie Holmes on August 15, 2019 at 3:14 am

    I’m sewing a dress and a shirt and shorts for the grandkids.

  33. Amy on August 16, 2019 at 12:36 pm

    I will be sewing a just few things for my daughter. She’s 8 and very focused on one store for her clothing.

  34. Kelli on August 18, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    Love the makes and what a cool new way to get around town.

  35. Laura on August 18, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    Y’all look so cute! Love your outfits

    • Sarah on September 13, 2019 at 9:18 am

      Thank you!

  36. Stephanie C on September 15, 2019 at 11:01 pm

    Now that you’ve had your bike for a while, are you still loving it? You’ve piqued my interest!

    • Sarah on September 16, 2019 at 11:17 am

      Indeed I am! I ride it at least 5 times a week- honestly can’t imagine how I survived all the car time before I had it!

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