My Baby is Going to Kindergarten | Back to School Outfits With JcPenney

Where oh where do I even start this post?! I’m typing it from a crowded airplane, so I’m praying that the close quarters limit some of my tears. In just 7 sleeps my big girl goes to Kindergarten. She’s got the sweetest countdown calendar that we crafted one afternoon next to her bed and she excitedly crosses each day off as she wakes up. Her enthusiasm is palpable and I know in my heart she’s ready, but I am most definitely not.

We’ve picked out a pink glitter backpack and all of her sweet school supplies are neatly placed within it. She’ll gladly tell you that her sequin pencil bag is her most favorite accessory. We’ve nailed down her first day outfit and she’s so confident in her brand new pink Nike’s. Everything is ready, except for me.

Landry’s Outfit: Bell Sleeve Top (under $10!) | Denim Skirt  ($9!) | Another Cute Denim Skirt (Under $10!) | Flats (Currently $7.50!)

My Outfit: Tie Front Top | Distressed Skinny Jeans (Under $40) | Neutral Heels (Under $30!)

This baby girl is something special. I’m still not sure why God called me to be the mama of such a precious soul but it’s a privilege that I never take for granted. In her 5 short years on earth I can say without question that she’s changed me. She didn’t just make me a mama, but she actually makes me want to be a better person. She’s got the kindest spirit, wears her tender little heart on her sleeve, gives compliments out to any and everyone, tells me she loves me no less than 100 times a day, prays constantly, and truly wants everyone around her to feel loved and special. She’s also silly and funny and loves to dance and is the absolute kindest big sister to Lawson. She makes both Dan and I want to do better, do more, and strive to be the best parents that we can.

I’ve spent 5 bittersweet years with her under my wing. I’ve poured into her as best I know how and I’d be lying if I said that I was ready to hand that job over to someone else. Sure some days are hard, but looking back in my rear view and seeing that precious face and blonde curls there as my co-pilot always calmed my heart. Now I’ll look back to an empty car seat most days and be left to wonder if she’s having a good day or not.

I’m mourning the loss of a piece of time that I’ll never get back. The time in life where I didn’t have to share her with the world. Where I could control what she saw and learned. The time in life where we were free to pick up and go on adventures. The time in life where we could snuggle in pajamas all day or have a late pancake breakfast or lunch date at Chick-Fil-A. I’m mourning the loss of a season that was so precious with her by my side. I’m mourning the loss of her needing me just a little bit less every single day. And I’m praying fiercely that I did it right.

Please let her remember these last 5 years with joy and happiness like I will. Let her remember the memories we made at the park and the pool and the splash pad. Let her remember music time at the library, play dates with friends and train rides up town to lunch with Daddy. Also, let her remember all of the times I went against my best judgement at let her have ice cream after lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Even on the hard days, please let her remember the joy that I found in her because these are some of the most treasured memories of my life.

Now I know that it’s time to let go of you a little, precious girl. I’ve spent 5 years crafting those wings and it’s time to let you test them out. In 7 sleeps you’ll walk into a big school where you know not one friend and I know you’ll thrive. I hope that you use your kind heart to make lots of friends and also use your intuition to befriend someone lonely. I hope that you excel academically because you truly love to learn. I hope that you learn new games, try new things and have the sweetest most nurturing teachers. I hope that you happily leave my nest each morning, excited to take on a new day but are still waiting for me with a smile when I’m there eager to pick you up. I hope that you never forget your faith and know that God is always with you each and every day.

Shirt + Skort Set (this exact one isn’t available anymore, but we both loved it so much that we ended up buying THIS ONE TOO!) They are great for for the playground since they have shorts already built in and they look so stinkin cute on!

And if you ever wonder what I’m doing- it’ll be thinking about you. Hoping that you asked the question when you needed to. Praying that you didn’t get lost in the big hallways. Pleading with God that this year is gentle on your heart.

I love and treasure you, sweet Landry Kate. I will be your biggest cheerleader this year and it’s one of the greatest joys of my life to watch you grow up. I’m excited for you to embark on this next chapter of life and will be here with you ever step of the way! 

Two weeks ago, I completely took off of work and had a sitter come stay with Lawson. When Landry woke up I surprised her with a “Mommy and Me” day and the excitement on her face was something I won’t soon forget. We started off by getting bagels (her favorite) and Starbucks (for mommy) for breakfast. We chatted about what was the most excited thing about Kindergarten and what our favorite Summer memories were. After that we went visit Daddy at his office and then headed over to her school for registration. We snuck through the Halls and imagined which one was going to be her classroom, what her teacher looked like and we took guesses at what her favorite game would be at PE. Finally we went shopping for back to school outfits and school supplies!

I took her to JCPenney to pick out 3 new back to school outfits for school and really let her steer the ship as to what she wanted to wear (very hard for me to do, by the way). It was such a joy letting her run wild and seeing what all she picked out. What was even more joyful were the prices of everything when we got to the register. Honestly I couldn’t get over it.

She was definitely drawn to their Arizona brand for girls and loaded up on their tops and bottoms. They are all super cute with very on-trend details, but still functional enough for her to wear to school.

Landry’s Outfit: Nike 2pc Set (around $20!) | Nike Sneakers

My Outfit: Off the Shoulder Top (on sale for $11!! YES, ELEVEN!) |Distressed Skinny Jeans (Under $40) | Neutral Heels (Under $30!)

Mama’s: You’ll LOVE what JCPenney has for you too! I got pretty carried away with THIS BRAND and had to really reel it in because I has about 10 pieces in my cart at one time. See what I’m talking about HERE.
Check out these prices + styles:

What to Wear for the First Day of Kindergarten | Back to School Outfits Made Easy at JCPenney:

Arizona for Girls | Trendy, affordable seasonal staples

Arizona for Boys | Durable jeans, shorts and tops for boys

Xersion for Girls | JcPenney’s in-house active brand. AMAZING prices and such cute athletic styles.

Xersion for Boys | JcPenney’s in-house active brand. AMAZING prices and such on-trend athletic styles. They have boys basketball shorts starting at $5!

Nike for Girls 

Nike for Boys

The have the best prices on socks! We stocked up.

Also, girl mamas! Don’t forget playground pals. They have awesome deals on multi packs of these too:

We were thrilled to partner with JCPenney on this post. They are a brand that means a lots to me personally and letting Landry choose her back to school outfits from there was extra special. Thank you for always supporting brands that make Style Your Senses possible.