Back-to-School :: 2020-2021

by | Sep 9, 2020 | Back-to-School, Giveaway, Schultütes | 116 comments

“The spirit of adventure was rising in them all, and no one really wanted to be back at school.” – Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
… but they were all ready for their back to school treats! 

I was questioning my younger self yesterday, as I assembled this year’s Back-to-School Schultütes… “WHY did I start these little annual traditions all those years ago?!?” I just don’t have the energy I had when I was younger… However they really didn’t take that long to assemble, and the smiles on all my children’s faces made it worth the extra effort!

I’m in love with our new school supplies from OOLY. I happened to discover them at my favorite local store, Pilgrim’s Market in Coeur d’Alene, and had to get some for this year’s Schultütes.
 
 
I had to get her the little fox… 
Last week she chased off a coyote, saving all but one of our chickens. 

We also celebrated with Birthday Cake for our Blessed Mother ♥
..Back-to-School Pictures..
 

Twinkle Toes :: 12th Grade 
 
Chiquita :: 10th Grade


Snuggles :: 8th Grade  
 

Rose :: 5th Grade


 
Bud :: 3rd Grade  
Grace :: Pre Pre-School 😉 
“Mama! Where’s mine?!?” 

Our sweet little “Joy” was not too happy that her older sis wouldn’t share… 
A is for Angel (not Anger) 😉 
I also had a lovely new picture book for my children… 
… and a beautiful handmade wire wrap rosary from The Rose Picker to send to one of you! 
Update: For all those who are curios, the book, under the rosary, is my Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962)
To enter the rosary giveaway simply leave a comment on this post! 
I’ll randomly choose and then contact the winner on September 14th. 
Thank you to The Rose Picker for sponsoring this giveaway!
**Giveaway has ended – Congratulations, Patricia!**
P.S.  The Rose Picker is offering 10% OFF ROSARIES until October 1, 2020 
with coupon code: SHOWEROFROSES

116 Comments

  1. Rachel

    Such a gorgeous rosary! Looks like a very exciting first day tradition!

    2020-09-09 16:59:48

    Reply
  2. Nicole

    Beautiful! Prayers for a great school year

    2020-09-09 17:09:23

    Reply
  3. Amanda

    Beautiful rosary, beautiful back.to school traditions!

    2020-09-09 17:13:14

    Reply
  4. Jay Boyd

    Such a beautiful family! I’m so glad you give us peaks into your life! And that rosary is beautiful!

    2020-09-09 17:16:37

    Reply
  5. Krista

    Awesome new supplies. And that new picture book looks amazing!

    2020-09-09 17:19:47

    Reply
  6. Rachel Siebert

    Such a beautiful rosary. I can't believe how grown up the children are getting. I've been reading your blog for years, and the girls have really matured into young ladies in the last couple of years.

    2020-09-09 17:24:03

    Reply
  7. Brenna

    Would love this book!

    2020-09-09 17:26:53

    Reply
  8. Bethany PK

    Beautiful family. Have a wonderful and fun school year!

    2020-09-09 17:39:04

    Reply
  9. Sarah Mason

    Beautiful family! I've been following you for years and it is so neat to see all of your children grow. Thanks for the chance to win! I've been eyeing "A is for Angel" for the past few weeks. I pray that your school year goes well.

    2020-09-09 17:45:41

    Reply
  10. Mindy LaPointe

    God bless on your school year. We also picked up the A for Angel book, it’s so lovely!

    2020-09-09 17:58:18

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  11. Jolene

    I always enjoy your updates.

    2020-09-09 18:00:18

    Reply
  12. Roxanne M

    Such a beautiful family and rosary! All good things begin with Our Blessed Mother. I enjoy your posts and have borrowed many recipes, ideas, and suggestions. Thank you for sharing your faith and family.

    2020-09-09 18:02:30

    Reply
  13. Chrissy

    I love your site, please keep it up. You help me live my faith!

    2020-09-09 18:11:31

    Reply
  14. Missy

    Beautiful children! Have a great new school year!

    2020-09-09 18:14:52

    Reply
  15. Emilce

    Thanks for these great ideas on starting the new school year!

    2020-09-09 18:19:22

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  16. Mary

    I’ve heard great things about that book!

    2020-09-09 18:34:15

    Reply
  17. Charlotte(MotherOwl)

    Wow, I love that rosary. Shultüten reminds me of the year we spent in Germany, where I had to super-express make some, as it was a new to me tradition. – I think I'm not eligible for the giveaway, living in Denmark, but I just had to comment on this wonderful post.

    2020-09-09 18:42:00

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  18. Ali

    Blessed school year

    2020-09-09 18:43:00

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  19. Kristina

    Beautiful rosary! Also… those are some great ideas at the start of a new school year!

    2020-09-09 18:46:27

    Reply
  20. Meleanie Schafer

    So incredibly beautiful!! I also LOVE the school photos and the awesome gifts for each of the children! Beautiful family!! Love your blog!

    2020-09-09 18:51:44

    Reply
  21. Elizabeth A Leone

    Love your site. Your family is beautiful. Love the rosary!

    2020-09-09 18:53:38

    Reply
  22. Gina

    What a beautiful giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win.

    2020-09-09 18:54:38

    Reply
  23. Emily Snow

    Beautiful back to school pictures! The Rosary is beautiful and wire wrapped lasts forever. What a generous heart you and the maker have.

    2020-09-09 19:08:35

    Reply
  24. Kenya de Jesus

    So beautiful ❤️

    2020-09-09 19:11:08

    Reply
  25. Leslie

    Your blog is always inspiring to me. Have a great school year!

    2020-09-09 19:16:14

    Reply
  26. Gina

    What a beautiful rosary! Thank you for having these giveaways

    2020-09-09 19:18:27

    Reply
  27. Patricia

    I started giving Back to School schultutes to my kids a few years ago after reading about them here. My kids love that tradition. Thank you for showing that to me. I plan to start looking over your blog for ideas about St Nicholas gift ideas. Thank you for everything you do Jessica.

    2020-09-09 19:19:36

    Reply
  28. Virginia Sheehan

    Blessings on the new school year. 💗

    2020-09-09 19:22:42

    Reply
  29. Lisa

    Have a blessed new year of learning together! Would love to be blessed with such a lovely rosary!

    2020-09-09 19:24:43

    Reply
  30. Eva M.

    You had me at “no one really wanted to be back at school“ lol! – you definitely can’t tell by looking at their beautiful, smiling and eager faces! Have a blessed school year!

    2020-09-09 19:24:57

    Reply
  31. Jill

    What a great way to celebrate your first day!

    2020-09-09 19:30:14

    Reply
  32. Alison

    What a lovely rosary! I consult your blog frequently. You have the best gift ideas for my Godchildren. Thanks so much for sharing your life and beautiful family.

    2020-09-09 19:30:47

    Reply
  33. Teresa Brilhart

    What a beautiful rosary! Best wishes for a school year filled with wonder and grace!

    2020-09-09 19:38:39

    Reply
  34. Andre

    Oh wow, that rosary is gorgeous! I love your posts and inspirations.

    2020-09-09 19:40:19

    Reply
  35. Anna V

    Beautiful pictures & Rosary! 💖💙

    2020-09-09 19:41:37

    Reply
  36. Toni Onks

    Your children are growing up so fast – as are mine! Such a lovely rosary. Thank you!

    2020-09-09 19:44:45

    Reply
  37. Mary

    What a nice surprise for your kids. I homeschool my youngest three, but have never done anything like that. Wish I was a student like you. Your kids are growing up so fast. Your baby is beautiful. The rosary is beautiful too.

    2020-09-09 19:45:19

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  38. Melinda

    Blessings to all this new school year!!

    2020-09-09 20:05:16

    Reply
  39. Estrella

    Beautiful pictures. It’s nice to see all the joy. We are starting our 4th week of being evacuated from our house due to the devastating wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mtns on Aug. 18 (my mom’s 80th b-day). Just so, so much. But seeing you happy family bring joy and hope. 💕

    2020-09-09 20:07:32

    Reply
  40. Emily

    So beautiful! Deo Gratias! ❤️💕

    2020-09-09 20:13:39

    Reply
  41. Frances T

    You always have such great ideas for gifts! Thank you for sharing once again!

    2020-09-09 20:14:18

    Reply
  42. AnnieMarie

    You create such beautiful memories for your children, and what a lovely way to begin the school year. Sadly, our first day fizzled, but that's not to say I can't make the days to come special…just need to find my energy…it's there somewhere LOL! The rosary is absolutely beautiful!!! My soul would delight in fingering the beautiful beads while saying our family rosary each night. Blessings on your new school year.

    2020-09-09 20:18:39

    Reply
  43. Jennifer M

    I thought the "A is for Anger" book was a great follow-up to the little crayon war. : P I'd love to hear what your family is using for school this year. I think half of the things we use I first read about here on your blog. : ) I hope you all have a great school year!

    2020-09-09 20:23:45

    Reply
  44. Bridget

    Schultutes have become such a wonderful tradition in our home for the first day of school! It's such a fun way to start a new school year. The rosary is absolutely stunning!

    2020-09-09 20:33:19

    Reply
  45. Anne

    You have a beautiful family. I hope our school year goes half as well as your first day looks!🤣❤️ And what a lovely rosary. I’ve been trying to say the whole 15 decades daily. This world needs more rosaries!! Thank you for this giveaway. God bless you and your wonderful family. ❤️🙏🏼❤️

    2020-09-09 20:39:59

    Reply
  46. Barbara Anne

    What a beautiful family tradition, Jessica.

    2020-09-09 20:56:33

    Reply
  47. Melanie

    Beautiful rosary and book! Everybody is getting so big!

    2020-09-09 21:00:10

    Reply
  48. Mimi G

    It's these little traditions that the kids will always remember fondly. As they get older, they'll realize and appreciate even more the extra work it took.

    2020-09-09 21:07:39

    Reply
  49. Mary

    This is our first year homeschooling and I made a shultute for our daughter. She was surprised. The rosary is beautiful.

    2020-09-09 21:14:33

    Reply
  50. Sarah H

    Great pics! Have a wonderful school year!

    2020-09-09 21:18:15

    Reply
  51. Kimberly

    Jessica, I'm so grateful you blog/IG! Thank you for sharing!

    2020-09-09 21:19:10

    Reply
  52. Jazlyn

    We just started our first year of homeschooling and are loving it.

    2020-09-09 21:24:32

    Reply
  53. Courtney

    The book and rosary are both beautiful! I love the back to school traditions. So special! Do you have links for your older 2 girls dresses? They are so pretty!

    2020-09-09 21:25:54

    Reply
  54. Amy

    So lovely! Thanks for the ideas.

    2020-09-09 21:30:05

    Reply
  55. Melissa

    Oh I love this idea. I am going to have to use it next year. That book and rosary are beautiful.

    2020-09-09 21:32:13

    Reply
  56. Grace Gagnon

    I hope you have a wonderful school year!

    2020-09-09 22:07:20

    Reply
  57. Jamie Salvucci

    Would love that beautiful rosary! Blessings on a new school year.

    2020-09-09 22:22:22

    Reply
  58. Rebecca

    Jessica, you’ve inspired me many times over the years, Thank you for continuing to show how homeschooling is such a continual blessing!

    2020-09-09 22:39:06

    Reply
  59. Laura G.

    Thank you for the rosary give-away. So beautiful! I love the school photos of your children. God bless.

    2020-09-09 23:33:06

    Reply
  60. Jessica Gordon

    Thank you!

    The green floral long sleeve dress was from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fjv9Nd (Right now you can get some of the colors for only $9.99 – my girls wear the Women's Size S)

    Correction… It's the Short Sleeve that is really inexpensive at the moment: https://amzn.to/33gI1vJ

    The other is the Reese Floral Midi dress in Mustard from JessaKae last fall, but it's not currently available. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/82612974403345910/

    2020-09-09 23:34:26

    Reply
  61. Grace

    Oh! Those schultutes brought back memories! We just graduated our youngest (twins) in June, but I used to scramble around the night before school assembling schultutes for my kids. And yes, I asked myself the same question every year!

    2020-09-09 23:34:29

    Reply
  62. Laetare

    Back to school blessings to all of you! Enjoy those wonderful treats!

    2020-09-09 23:37:15

    Reply
  63. Kathryn B

    A is for Angel is a beautiful book! Thank you for sharing so many ideas!

    2020-09-10 00:11:18

    Reply
  64. Gabriela

    Hi ! Wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing! Just a question what curriculum, plan or suggestions do you have for pre-K homeschooling? Thank you!

    2020-09-10 00:30:17

    Reply
  65. Megan

    Beautiful rosary! And thank you for the ideas, I’m definitely going to start the shultutes tradition next year!

    2020-09-10 00:32:03

    Reply
  66. Frances

    The Rosary looks beautiful! You are doing an amazing job! Thanks for sharing, you are inspiring me.

    2020-09-10 01:18:31

    Reply
  67. Diane

    You have a wonderful family. Have a wonderful school year.

    2020-09-10 01:49:10

    Reply
  68. Elaine

    Beautiful back to school event. May the coming school year be very rewarding.

    2020-09-10 01:52:42

    Reply
  69. Christal

    Lovely.

    2020-09-10 02:01:54

    Reply
  70. Tess

    Lovely family! Would love the rosary!

    2020-09-10 02:24:11

    Reply
  71. Mary

    Have a blessed new school year. Thanks for offering the giveaway!

    2020-09-10 02:57:39

    Reply
  72. Melissa Sebestyen

    Best wishes for your new school year!

    2020-09-10 03:19:56

    Reply
  73. Jennifer Fagge

    You have beautiful children and wonderful traditions and make the Faith fun. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    2020-09-10 03:43:57

    Reply
  74. Molli McG

    The rosary is lovely! Thanks for sharing – I love learning about new Catholic shops to support.

    2020-09-10 03:58:28

    Reply
  75. Rocio

    It's nice to see another back to school post with your beautiful children. Your older two look so grown up now. This reminds me about the alphabet path 🙂 Good times.

    2020-09-10 04:10:34

    Reply
  76. Debbie F

    I wish a happy, healthy, and blessed school year to you and your children, with special intentions for your college boys.

    2020-09-10 10:12:45

    Reply
  77. Melinda

    Thank you for your blog, very inspiring!

    2020-09-10 11:09:24

    Reply
  78. Rosemary

    Blessings to you for a good school year!

    2020-09-10 11:53:29

    Reply
  79. .Elizabeth.

    Always an inspiration Jessica! To think of how many families you've encouraged to live our faith, it is remarkable. Have a blessed school year!

    2020-09-10 12:39:57

    Reply
  80. Susan

    I love your back-to-school posts! Thank you for sharing your family with us! Yours is such a beautiful example of a lovely Catholic family, and the work behind the vocation of motherhood. So many special traditions that your children will never forget! God bless your school year!

    2020-09-10 13:27:16

    Reply
  81. Jodi

    Many blessings for a fruitful school year! I always look forward to your posts because they are inspirational, and it’s neat to see how another Catholic family incorporates the faith in its daily living.

    2020-09-10 13:34:28

    Reply
  82. Lara

    I always look forward to your Back to School posts! We started the same day this year! May God bless your academic year and your children❤️

    2020-09-10 13:51:11

    Reply
  83. Sheril

    I love that you have these traditions and I’m sure you’re children will have fond memories of them when they grow up. You’re always so inspiring. The rosary is gorgeous as are you’re children. Have a wonderful school year.

    2020-09-10 14:28:12

    Reply
  84. Alexis C Ellis

    Such a beautiful family! Hope your school year is amazing. The rosary is beautiful!

    2020-09-10 14:35:02

    Reply
  85. Candice

    We just got A is for Angel as well. It's stashed for Christmas. I am in need of a new rosary. This one is beautiful! Have a good school year!

    2020-09-10 14:41:50

    Reply
  86. Jeannie

    Beautiful rosary and family. Prayers for a great first week of school.

    2020-09-10 14:42:28

    Reply
  87. Kimberly

    We have just started our second year of homeschooling. We are all enjoying the experience and blessings so much. Thanks for all you do, Jessica!!! You are a mentor to so many through your sharing on your blog.

    2020-09-10 15:28:29

    Reply
  88. Jessica Saucedo

    You have such a beautiful family. What a blessing! I love the cake you got for mama Mary!blessings!

    2020-09-10 15:40:03

    Reply
  89. Kathleen A Campos

    I laughed so hard when I saw "A is for Anger" lol. Adorable. The rosary is gorgeous!

    2020-09-10 17:51:27

    Reply
  90. Lily

    I thought it read "A is for Anger"! Looks like a lovely book and stunning Rosary! Thanks for sharing.

    2020-09-10 18:17:07

    Reply
  91. Marilyn

    Thank You Jessica for the chance to win this beautiful Rosary. Marilyn

    2020-09-10 18:35:31

    Reply
  92. Joan

    The Rosary is lovely. Thank You for the giveaway. Joan

    2020-09-10 18:36:23

    Reply
  93. Marion

    Have a great and successful school year . the Rosary is very pretty. Marion

    2020-09-10 18:40:33

    Reply
  94. Wanda

    The cutest family!!! Praying for you all to have a blessed school year. ❤

    2020-09-10 19:21:50

    Reply
  95. Marianne

    Lovely supplies! I added some to my Amazon cart. God bless.

    2020-09-10 19:35:56

    Reply
  96. Ethan

    The picture book and rosary look amazing! Praying for another great school year! Stay safe! 😊

    2020-09-10 20:32:31

    Reply
  97. Bernadette

    The children are growing up so quickly! I hope that they have a wonderful school year. God bless! 🙂

    2020-09-10 20:33:42

    Reply
  98. Sarah Grignon

    Such a beautiful book and rosary. Happy school year to your family. Everyone is getting so big!

    2020-09-10 22:29:12

    Reply
  99. Mary S Pinheiro

    Happy and blessed back to school! We started back up in July so I can take time off during Advent and Christmas with our new baby. I miss seeing your older boys in your photos. I hope school is well this year for them!

    2020-09-11 00:12:39

    Reply
  100. Anne in NC

    Thank you for this generous giveaway and for sharing your beautiful family!

    2020-09-11 03:43:57

    Reply
  101. Janice

    I came to your website when my boys were older so I have always thought I would try the Back-to-School Schultütes when I have grandkids…many, many, many years from now!!

    2020-09-11 15:43:54

    Reply
  102. Amy T

    Our family has been following your posts for years now. My favorite tradition your family inspired in ours is the Christmas book collection! We pray the rosary nightly as a family. Such a beautiful prayer!

    2020-09-11 20:15:39

    Reply
  103. Autumn Acosta

    Happy school year! -Autumn (missouri)

    2020-09-11 21:42:09

    Reply
  104. Barbara

    Beautiful family!

    2020-09-11 21:56:11

    Reply
  105. Jessica Gordon

    Congratulations, Patricia! You are the winner of the rosary giveaway! Please email me your mailing address and I'll get it sent out to you! God bless!

    2020-09-15 01:16:44

    Reply
  106. Elizabeth

    May God bless your school year and your family.

    2020-09-12 13:52:45

    Reply
  107. Shauna

    This is a lovely family tradition! Prayers for a wonderful school year!😊

    2020-09-12 21:35:50

    Reply
  108. Debbie

    I really love your blog… and I get beautiful ideas for my grandchildren… thank you so much!

    2020-09-12 23:12:28

    Reply
  109. Alyssa

    What a lovely rosary!! Also, i just want to say I love how your kids are dressed so modestly and stylish!

    2020-09-13 17:35:57

    Reply
  110. Susan

    Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas and inspiration! The rosary beads are very special… wishing everyone a successful school year 🙂

    2020-09-13 20:42:10

    Reply
  111. Adrianne Wieber

    Thanks for the inspiration. Please share where the dresses your older girls are wearing came from. God Bless Adrianne

    2020-09-15 16:41:58

    Reply
  112. Stacy Wenderski

    I so enjoy reading your creative ideas, but even more love seeing your beautiful family!

    2020-09-18 22:58:35

    Reply
  113. Demmma

    The Rosary is lovely. Thank You for the giveaway.

    2020-09-21 16:30:18

    Reply
  114. Debbie

    Each of your children are so precious. You always capture their expressions so well. I learned about the Schultutes custom when I lived in Germany. It is wonderful that you have this tradition for your children. I do this for my Grandchildren too. It is a sweet custom filled with excitement for a new school year.

    2020-09-24 00:59:54

    Reply
  115. Mia Del Rosario

    I came across your blog as I was looking for birthday cake ideas for my brother Joseph who loves the Hobbit. What I really found strange is that I saw the picture of Saint Therese on your page especially because today her Feast day (It's 12:08 Los Angeles time) I had just gotten off the phone with my Aunt to greet her in the Philippines. She is named after Therese (they are 16 hours ahead). We were in Lisieux a couple of years ago were blessed to have visited the Basilica as well as her home. I don't believe in coincidences. I'm so happy to have found your blog. It's refreshing to read about your family and something I really needed today. God bless you and your beautiful family.

    2020-10-01 07:11:53

    Reply

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Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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