Patch Picks: Five Ways Celebrate the New School Year

Last Hoorah

Pack all the great things about summer into one day to end the season with a bang. Start early at a playground park – try Let the kids burn some energy before heading over to the beach to swim for a few hours. Then have a picnic lunch at a to over look the city. Take a few minutes to point out places around town where you went together. Grab an ice cream cone for dessert at before heading to the for a late afternoon show. After leaving the cinema grab some pizza at . Once home for the night take out some family-favorite board games before putting some exhausted children (and parents) to bed.

A unique wardrobe update from Elan. Send the teens, tweens and kids back to school with some updated threads. Layers, prints, long necklaces and belts are the rage for girls and boys can’t go wrong with witty (but appropriate) screen-print tees and denim.

To go along with the new clothes, complete the updated look with a fresh hair style. Feathers braided into girls’ hair is popular and boys are rocking a sideswept bang look with highlights. Schedule appointments for the whole family at once at Fantastic Sams. 

Expand your home library and reference books at Chapter2Books. Bring the whole family to pick out books everyone is interested in and will pick up throughout the year to read.

Back to school means finally getting some alone or grown-up time after three summer months - plan a first-day-of-school parent lunch while your kids are at school at Urban Olive and Vine for the lunch special. Menu items include: sandwiches, seafood, salad and well-deserved lunch wine.