Last weekend, our family of 5 held our annual
Back to School Dinner
This is an evening for us to:
* Discuss our new family motto for the school year
{decided upon by Joe and I prior to the dinner}
* Eat spaghetti and meatballs
{a tra-dish and family favorite}
* Go over our goals as individuals and as a family
* And for Joe to give Father’s Blessings to our children.
Father’s Blessings = THIS
I really do love this special evening with my family.
I like to go ‘all out’ and let my kids know
how important this dinner is.
Decorations were quite simple:
*I used Kraft paper for the table covering
{which served as a dual purpose. More on that later….}
*12 x 12 striped scrapbook paper for the placemats
*Mini chalkboard signs purchased at Michaels,
stuck right into an apple for place cards
&
*Mini kraft bags with TomKat labels as utensil holders
We served my kids’ favorite meal:
Spaghetti with meatballs, green salad and french bread
Easy!
![]() |
2014-15 Coombs Family Motto |
Joe was in charge of coming up with our family motto this year and he based it off of THIS 10 minute video clip from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
{Such a sweet message. It’s an anti-bullying video with narrative from Pres. Uchtdorf. At the end, he says our motto and as soon as Joe and I heard these words – –
we just KNEW we had to imply it into our daily lives.}
We told the kids a couple of personal experiences that had to do with this very subject and then encouraged them to work on EACH of the things listed in our motto:
KINDNESS
FORGIVENESS
Speaking PEACEFULLY to one another
&
Doing GOOD to everyone around us
Now if you know me – you know I love a good pun.
Mainly because, puns can serve as a REMINDER of sorts about something you’ve learned.
Hence, the head of lettuce in these green vases with our
‘Let Us/Lettuce’ theme.
{P.S. These cute vases were scored on clearance last week at Hobby Lobby for $2.28!}
These now sit in our kids’ bedrooms
as a reminder of our motto.
The other half of our dinner was spent coming up with
ONE WORD that each of us wanted to BE this year.
The kids each wrote theirs down on the tablecloth/paper….
and then we cut them out.
They now hang on their bathroom mirror as a reminder of what they want to BE this year.
![]() |
Encouraging.
Kind.
Creative.
It was SO fun watching the kids think about and then decide upon THEIR one word.
It was SO fun watching the kids think about and then decide upon THEIR one word.
I sure do love these kids of mine.
And my sweet husband.
Our family brings me SO. MUCH. JOY.
Oh and one more thing – –
Our framed motto {used as the centerpiece at dinner}
now hangs on the back of our front door as YET another daily reminder to think about and never forget what we discussed.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT HERE for FREE!
You can see last year’s

I would love a copy of your motto! It would be perfect for my kids before they start school this week!! Love your blog and creative ideas!! finau11@hotmail.com
Thanks for this darling idea Marci. If you are sharing the printable motto I would love a copy. ljhess@msn.com
this is darling. if you are still sharing your printable, i would love a copy. this is perfect for our family motto this year. many thanks! lmncoleman@gmail.com
I would love the printable as well! its only a couple years later 🙂 mkchilds@gmail.com
I WOULD ALSO LIKE YOUR MOTTO FROM LAST YEAR! COULD YOU? WOULD YOU? dhkvale@gmail.com
I would also appreciate a copy of your motto. dhkvale@gmail.com
I would love a copy of your printable if you are still sending it out, I love this! Thanks! amypetermann@gmail.com
I'd love a copy of the motto also if you are still sharing. This is such a neat idea.
Thanks so very much!!!!
staciejk@yahoo.com
Id love a copy of the motto too if you are still sharing. jennluce85@gmail.com
Thanks!!!
Are you still emailing out this printable, I would love a copy! ticeyhadley@gmail.com
Thanks!!
Hello Marci! Are you still emailing this printable? I love it and would appreciate it so much to use for my family this year. Thanks for such creative, great ideas! boicefamily@gmail.com
I know I'm a year late, but I love this and am going to use it this year! Could you send a copy of your printables? Cfuhriman@hotmail.com Thank you!
I love this motto. Can I get a copy of it also? Thanks! michelleybarnes@yahoo.com
I have been thinking that we need to do something like this with my family. I'm so glad their are smarter moms than me who can teach me to be a better mom. If you aren't burned out on emailing out copies of this, I would love one too. My email is michellepippert@gmail.com. Thanks for being amazing.
Michelle
There not their.��
um, I would LOVE a copy of this printable!!! allen_jeni@hotmail.com
this is just what I've been thinking about we need….thank you girl!!!
Would love this motto printable as well please…. lexysnow@yahoo.com
I would love a copy of your family motto as well.
Thanks!
ericandjentexas@yahoo.com
I would love a copy of your scripture!
Thanks so much for your wonderful ideas!
wyler27@gmail.com
Could I please get the printable motto? Thank you! shupeohana@gmail.com
I would love the printable as well!! I love this Moto! So wonderful!! Also where can I get that big kraft paper to cover my table?? I feel like I've looked everywhere but haven't found it!! Thanks for all you do!!
Taykowallis@gmail.com
Wow, what a fun idea! I loved everything you did. Please if you wouldn't mind sharing, I would love a printable too! jb.eldredge@gmail.com
You are amazing! Could I get a copy of your printable as well? Thank you for inspiring so many of us!!! cwkelson@gmail.com
Could I get a copy emailed? Love this ericaroyer@gmail.com
I would like a copy too! Thank you! shawna.keyte@hotmail.com
Hi I would love to use your printable for girls Activity Days. Thanks!! tennis_duke@hotmail.com
I would love to use your printable for our YW back to school activity. Thanks! lcrosby7@tampabay.rr.com
Will you send me a copy of the printable too please?! jklippel@cox.net Thanks!
Can i please have a copy to tiffern@frontiernet.net i want to do this to we start school in just a couple days you are awesome!!
can I get a copy of this too!? It is awesome! kolstet@yahoo.com Thanks!
I am going to start the back to school dinner tradition this year, I know my kids will love it! If it is possible I would love to have a copy of the printable too. viehwegk@yahoo.com. Thank you!
I love this back to school dinner tradition! Thanks for sharing! You always have great ideas. I would love the printable too if possible.
Thanks! kimseeman@hotmail.com
Thank you so much! I got the printable. I really appreciate your kindness and sharing this! 🙂 I'm looking forward to framing it. This is just what my kids need to hear!
Me too!!! I would love a printable. Thanks for sharing all that you do! I visit here often for YW, VT, & family fun ideas 🙂 jodybgonzales@gmail.com
Just emailed it over to you! xoxo
I would love a copy as well if your sharing. I love ALL of your ideas. Everything you share is wonderful!!!
justinandnikkischwartz@hotmail.com
Just sent it your way! xoxo
I would love a copy as well, I love all your ideas! Thank you thank you!
jameyjeppson@gmail.com
Just sent it over! Enjoy 🙂
I love this!! Could I get a printable too?? (If you are sharing) cam-alicia@hotmail.com
Just sent it over to you Alicia!
this is the cutest thing EVER!!!! I'd love a printable too if you're willing to share 🙂 You're an awesome mom!! luckiestgirlalive@hotmail.com. Jill
Just sent it over to you Jill!
Hey Heidi! I'm happy to send you over the printable if you'd like. xoxo
oooooohh, Marci, I have thought.about having a family motto.for awhile this is so perfect, easy, and so.needed!!!!…if the whole world used this motto things would be great!!!!…did u make the printable????…im not wishing summer away, but I can barely.wait!!!!