It’s been a long time since the boys started kindergarten, headed back to school or even college. Wherever has the time gone?! Labor Day weekend always evokes happy memories of those days. So, I decided to set a back to school table to mark the occasion.
We are fortunate to live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, with a nationally recognized and award-winning public school district. In fact, the schools are one of the primary reasons Mr. Buzz and I decided to build our home here. We were just newlyweds at the time, planning for our future family.
It feels more like a town here than a suburb, with a historic commercial district we call, “Uptown.” Adding to the old-fashioned charm and ambiance is that we are both a Tree City USA and Main Street America community.
Children walk to school; along mostly tree-lined streets with sidewalks. There are no buses. Seven neighborhood elementary schools, two middle and one high school draw students from vibrant neighborhoods.
Seeing the kids heading out, hand-in-hand with their parents, wearing new backpacks and sometimes carrying little bouquets of flowers for their teachers, warms my heart. Come have a seat at the back to school table and reminisce with me.
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Cockadoodledoo: Rise & Shine for School
During the month of September, my kitchen area goes to it’s “normal” state; without seasonal or holiday decorations. Rooster Kitchen Decor and Tableware compliment the core interior design elements and color scheme.
That’s one of the reasons the back to school table starts with a rooster-decorated tablecloth.
Besides, getting kids up and going to school might be helped with a little cock-a-doodle-do, right?
I won’t name names, but one of my sons had a particularly difficult time getting up and going in the morning…
Did you, or do you have one of those at your house?
For a little more “rise and shine,” I also incorporated my favorite rooster luncheon plates into the dish stack. They work well with the color scheme of the back to school table and cloth.
Many people loved the plates when I first shared them in the Fall on the Farm Rooster Table.
A+ Centerpiece
What inspired the back to school table and centerpiece, were a few inexpensive items picked up while shopping (Target).
Finding the red miniature chalkboard and a set of ten blackboard blocks, also established the basic color scheme — black, white and red. Primary blue, yellow and green provide accents.
Muffy Vanderbear, dressed as a cheerleader, takes a turn at the blackboard. I love all the little details, including the plaid bloomers and adorable saddle shoes. Back in the day, this ‘ol rah rah wore black and white saddle shoes too!
I’ve had the bear and her bunny friend, Hoppy, for many years. Surprisingly, Amazon has a similar Muffy cheerleader available all these years later, as well as the outfit.
A number of different outfits in my collection allows dressing the bear and rabbit according to the season or holiday. You might remember them from Patriots Table With Betsy Ross and Paul Revere, or as pilgrims in Thanksgiving Figures Decorate Home.
Elementary Napkin-Folding Rules
Also found at Target, were several packages of cute tags for just $1 a package.
Aren’t they cute? They’d also make nice place cards. But, since the back to school table is only set for four, place cards aren’t necessary.
Instead, I used the tags as “rings” for the new buffalo check napkins.
Do you like the napkin fold? It’s supposed to resemble fleur-de-lis. Can you see it? The ancient fleur-de-lis symbol is said to represent a bee. Did you know that? 
I choose the fold bee-cause, kids are supposed to bee “busy little bees” while at school.
See French Inspired, Royal Bee Theme Table for a more elegant setting. And learn how to make your own by following the Easy Fleur-de-Lis, Bee Shape Napkin Fold Tutorial.
It was yet another easy, peasy napkin fold I found online — just like the bird of paradise seen in the Palms, Parrots & Paradise Tropical Tablescape.
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve really gotten into napkin folding when putting together tablescapes. For the recent Greek Tablescape, I even tried my hand at designing my own — an Olympic torch napkin fold. Many times, the clever folds can take the place of using napkin rings. See Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasions for more ideas.
Wait until you see the apple-shaped napkin fold I used for the Fall Harvest Table.
Have you ever tried napkin folding? What’s your go-to?
Take Your Seats Students
Underlying each setting is a black and white check placemat.
The oval shape works well on a round table. Other black and white check placemats and napkins made by mom were used on the Fall on the Farm Rooster Table.
I made my own pattern for the unique shape to accommodate the round edge of the kitchen table. And, they’re reversible, with a black fruit pattern that matches the kitchen valances seen in Remodeled Kitchen Design & Layout Tour (Part 1).
But, the ones on the back to school table are wipeable. They get heavy use too; nearly everyday for one meal or another.
Included in the plate stack are red, bead-edge dinner plates and large bowls (Pier 1 on recent clearance). I think they will mix and match well with Christmas season dishes too.
Flanking the dish stack is red flatware. These get a lot of use throughout the year; in Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Fourth of July table settings. Red flatware get near daily use during the summer, as they go great with my nautical and coastal tableware.
For beverages, I pulled out my smoked black goblets and football glasses. Both are from Dollar Tree. I purchased the black stemware recently for the more formal Greek Tablescape.
Seeing them late last season, this is the first time I’ve used the football-shape glasses. Hoping they carry them again this year, so I can buy more. I’d love to gift my now grown sons with sets to use while entertaining during Steeler and college alma mater football games.
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Elementary Memories
Our elementary school is an easy walk from the house; nested within residential streets — many paved with brick. It serves as the heart and soul of our neighborhood.
In the early years, walking the boys to and from school meant sidewalks filled with students, moms and dads, grandparents, siblings, babies in strollers, and dogs on leases.
Until recently, there were no full-service cafeterias in the older elementary buildings, and most kids came home for lunch. Now that most moms work, more children stay for lunch than in the past.
And before 9-11, in a more innocent time, the schools and classrooms were open. Parents would drop off their children, check in with teachers, and chat with the principal and staff. As a PTA officer, homeroom mom, and volunteer, I spent a lot of time in the school.
Now, there are locked doors, camera’s, and much more security. However, my heart warms when I see a new generation of children walking past the house and through the neighborhood to school.
Have your kids or grandchildren started back to school yet?
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
This is so cute Debbee! Love the extra details like the napkin rings and the football glasses!
I always associate back to school with high school football, as both our sons were in the drumline of the marching band. So, I was really excited when I found the football-shaped glasses. Thanks for stopping by Liz!
As always a bang up job. I have muffy too and love dressing her up
Val
Very nice of you to stay Valerie — I appreciate you stopping by. I have about seven different outfits for Muffy I think? Hard to pick a favorite.
This table setting “rules”!! Your story brought back so many fond memories of my own three marching off to school. We lived in a small village when my youngsters were in school, so we knew just about everyone; being a close-knit community added to all our days there. I think upon those happy times often. Great job on the napkin fold; I added it to my pinterest board. Hugs!
It was a fun table to set — even my husband enjoyed the nostalgia of it. Glad you had a similar experience with your kids growing up.
What a delightful table! I am a retired teacher and always get nostalgic this time of the year. I love the “primary” colors!
Ramona, teachers “rule!” Once in awhile I run into the boys’ elementary school teachers at the grocery store, gym, etc. I’m always amazed how they remember my sons’ names and me. They are all retired, but still live in our community.
Debbee,
This is an absolutely delightful tablescape!! Perfect for back to school!! Love those football glasses!!
And I see you mentioned Steelers…My husband is an avid Steeler and Penguins fan. In fact at the end of this month, Joe and our oldest son are going on their annual trip to Pittsburgh to see a Pens Exhibition game. The Baby Pens are here in Wilkes Barre and as season ticket holders, he gets 2 free tickets for a game in Pittsburgh at the beginning for the Season.
More than just our names and blogging in common then! My sons have been so spoiled with Steeler Super Bowl and Pens Stanley Cup wins when they were growing up. Because many of the Rooney’s live in our community, our marching band always gets invited to march in the victory parade — and both my boys were in drumline. Lemieux use to live here too with other Penguin players and they got to march in their parade too! Of course, my guys love the Pirates, win or lose too. Now, as adults, they frequently come home for games. Hope your husband and son have a blast!
You are the cleverested, fantasticalest getting ready for school person in the world. The WHOLE world, and that speaks volumes of spelling.
Dear Kem, you are like my mom — biased! Have missed your visits and remarks on posts.
As a retired teacher, this absolutely warms my heart!
Ann, I so admire those who teach! I confess that I didn’t have the patience required and was better as a PTA officer, committee chair and volunteer. My husband (a retired engineer) now helps underprivileged, city kids with their math and science program twice a week. He absolutely loves it. I sometimes think he should have been a chemistry or physics teacher.
Your table is adorable. My grandchildren started school several weeks ago. This is a fun way to implement the school year.
Thanks Rhonda! I sure am looking forward to the day I have grandchildren and little ones to celebrate special occasions with.
Awe, your back to school tablescape is ADORABLE, Debbee! I am featuring you this weekend at the Snickerdoodle party.
Thanks so much Marie! Unfortunately our district has postponed the start of the year until after Labor Day and elected virtual classes for the first 9 weeks. I feel so bad for the kids and parents. They had hoped to have in person, but would have had to hire 100 temporary substitute teachers to replace those who are taking a leave of absence. There just isn’t the money for that.
Another great tablescape! The only back-to-school decorating I have done is to put an ABC dress (a vintage 18 month sized one!) on my porcelain Shirley Temple doll (my only big one). Combed a few of her disheveled curls, too! Busy making cloth pumpkins when Al drives us somewhere!
Kathy, you must be working through some of my archives of table settings? How precious your ST doll must be! My mom is here for a month and just finished giving the 4 foot Raggedy Ann doll (she made me as a kid) some much needed repair and maintenance. That included filling in some bald spots with new yarn.
Very sweet table, Debbee!! Happy to feature your post this week.
Today was our kiddos first day of in-class and online learning. Our school invited 120 specific students (mostly those students who have parents who work and no one to watch them at home) for face-2-face learning. In two weeks, the others are invited to come. Right now, the other students are strictly online with many parents the first 9 weeks. A lot more work for teachers but for our class of Social-Emotional students, it’s actually a better year. Last year was mass fighting and chaos for the first two months.
I loved walking my kids to school, and volunteered at school, in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as a leader. Miss those days!
Enjoy your sweet rabbit and bear! I have a couple of those I made and still have the patterns to make outfits. A project for the coming winter. Hugs, Barb 🙂
Barb, I’m all a buzz about bee-ing featured! Much appreciated my friend. I’ve never thought about making outfits for the bear and rabbit — maybe because I have so many already, lol! Still wish I had purchased a pair of Christmas theme outfits though.
There’s so many moving parts and unknowns with this darn virus! Glad to see your local school is offering an option for working parents. Instead of school or college, we are moving our youngest into a “new” 100 year old row house over Labor Day weekend. I’m thrilled he wants us to stay and help with home projects, decorating, and gardening.
Oh, I just love this! I’ve featured it at the TFT party. Congrats!
That’s great Pam, really appreciate the feature! Always look forward to the TFT party.
Such a cute idea and way to kick off the school year in a special way!
Debbee, what a perfect back to school table. Love it. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. Hugs, Bev
Thanks again for the feature Bev! Although, I think it’s way too early for the kids and teachers in this heat. Locally, many districts aren’t going back until the end of the month or even after Labor Day.
What a cute tablescape! Our kids have already headed back to school. They always head back the first Thursday in August, which seems so early. I love your little bear and the chalkboard easel. From Target I also got a chalkboard in the same color, but it’s just a frame and not an easel. Wish they would’ve had the easels where I live. Thanks for sharing on Happiness is Homemade at LifeasaLEOWife.com!
Thanks Niki! Boy that does seem early for school to start. Perhaps you could use a little black frame stand for the chalkboard to turn it into an easel?
I love that back to school is an exciting event! Have a wonderful week!
This is such an adorable tablescape! I bought one of the football glasses from Dollar Tree a few years ago for my husband, and now I wish I would’ve bought a set to use on an Alabama tablescape. I also love the apple napkin fold! Thanks for sharing on Happiness is Homemade. Have a great weekend!
I had fun putting it together, and am delighted you enjoyed it! Those glasses are sure fun to use during football season and I wanted more too. Was disappointed DT only had them one year. Have fun rooting on your team! I’m looking forward to returning to my alma mater, Penn State, for homecoming this year.