| Nothing demonstrates more clearly how much your | | | | show the four different backpacks your son couldn't |
| children have grown and changed than starting a new | | | | decide between, and let your daughter model all (or at |
| grade. As they walk off (alone!) to first grade, you | | | | least some) of her new clothes. You might even |
| can't help but remember one year ago, when they | | | | include those school supply lists in your layout. |
| were four inches shorter, had all their baby teeth, and | | | | - The morning of. Some night-before organization will |
| strutted off to school as proud as little peacocks at | | | | free you to take pictures as your kids get ready for |
| the new phase in their life, officially becoming "big kids." | | | | school on the first day. Consider a picture of their first |
| It's the same every year, when parents hastily wipe | | | | 1st grade breakfast, their first 7th grade hair-do, or |
| away tears and remember the changes that have | | | | climbing into their first car on their way to their junior |
| happened in just 12 short months. | | | | year. |
| School pictures can show the differences in face and | | | | - Dates. Make sure to include dates on or near every |
| hair, but nothing beats your own photos of the big day. | | | | photo you take. Have your kids pose while holding |
| The following are some tips that will help you select | | | | signs with "August 2008" or "8th Grade," on them. |
| and create the best back-to-school layout for your | | | | Make a banner with the year and drape it across the |
| memories. | | | | dining room table as the kids eat. The last thing you |
| - Start early. Getting ready for school to start actually | | | | want to do after all this work is to confuse the first |
| takes weeks. You and your kids shop for school | | | | days of a child's 6th and 7th grade. |
| supplies and new clothes, for example; these are | | | | After you take such great pictures, you can then place |
| yearly rituals that change even while they remain the | | | | them into the layout of your choice! |
| same. Take pictures of your shopping expeditions, | | | | |