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Its the end of August and tomorrow means the start of September and the return to the school run. Back to School is something that is talked about by parents in differing tones, some will be starting new schools and have excitement and nerves, whereas I have seen other social media updates with parents who can't wait for the new term. Where do I stand? I suppose I am a little odd in that I don't really want my eldest daugher to go back to school. I love having her at home and seeing her grow and play and I can honestly say that during the summer holidays, I don't miss the madness of the school run one little bit.

So with the little one preparing for nursery for the very first time and my eldest going into year four (which she is very excited about) , I started looking at back to school checklists for surviving the first week back to school and here are my top tips.

1. Set the alarm clock 10 minutes earlier, you have the choice to snooze it (my choice) or get up 10 minutes earlier to make your morning less stressful.

2. Lay out the uniform the night before. This sounds so simple but seriously stops any debates with budding fashionista's who decide that they don't want to wear something you choose.

3. On the same subject, after a number of years of battling I have conceeded that trying to get a small child to wear something they don't like, every single day, for a whole school year is pointless and stressful for all concerned. Sometimes it is better to let them have their little victories (it is obviously best to let this happen whilst shopping, rather than after you have paid for said disliked item!)

4. Routine, routine, routine. My girls thrive on routine but during the holidays this tends to go out of the window, so in the week before the return to school, it is best to try and bring bedtime back in line by 10 minutes each day. (so the children don't notice and the grown ups reclaim their evenings). Thanks to Emma for reminding me about this one.

5. Keep shoes and bags in the same place. Both you and the children will always know where they are, so there is no rushing around looking for an odd shoe. This habit will enable them to develop their own independence and be responsible for their own things.

Back to School is another reminder that my girls are growing up but it doesn't need to be stressful (unless you count that I am getting older too!).

Would you add any tips?

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Dear Mom,

I don't often say this but I am grateful.

I am grateful that you worked hard, so I could appreciate the value of money.

I am grateful for my brother, so I could understand the importance of sharing.

I am grateful for that dad could moan about mowing the lawns, as it meant we had lovely grass to play on.

I am grateful for having to pay housekeeping, so I could appreciate the cost of living.

I am grateful for having to do household chores, so I could understand how difficult it is to keep a home

I am grateful for your strict rules, so I could learn morals and honour

I am grateful that you always made me write thank you notes, as it made me appreciate people's kindness.

I am grateful for your patience and as a mother, I now understand why you need it.

I am grateful for a childhood home, where everyone was welcome

I am grateful for you.

I love you.

From me x

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Room 101, we all remember that don't we?  I am sure those of a "certain" age will remember it but if you don't (well frankly you are clearly too young), Room 101 is where celebrities used to send things that frustrated, irritated and ultimately annoyed the wotsits out of them. Well I was tagged by the very lovely Lady Briggs in her Room 101 post, so here goes ....

Wire Coat Hangers

These are a particular pet peeve of the man on the Lilypad and consequently when I hear them being wrestled out of the wardrobe and flung on the bed in a rage, then I have a definate distaste for them. Wire coat hangers seem to get tangled with everything else in the wardrobe and we have clearly had too much dry cleaning done, as we seem to have an abundance of them. So they can go ....

Cereal Packets

There is a certain well known brand of wheat biscuits that are a delicious and fibre rich breakfast cereal. Unfortunately the packaging means that you have to tear it open and the crumbly bits of cereal go everywhere. Those with children know that the morning routine is akin to a military operation so crumbly wheaty biscuit bits all over the side and the floor is not helpful. Ever. 

Not finishing the job

This may sound a little random but I mean in movies, when the bad guy gets knocked over, for goodness sake, finish the job. Don't leave him in a state of concussion, ready to get back up again and start all his bad stuff again, (think Stephen King's "Misery" and you will surely understand what I mean!), finish the job.

So those are my pet peeves and I am tagging Andrea from Allyouneedisloveandcake, Donna from MummyCentral and Clare from Seasiderinthecity.  

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We talk alot about my shopping habits on the Lilypad blog and great deals for myself and the girls but what about the man on the pad? He certainly doesn't have the same desire to go shopping as much as I do and especially during the summer when shopping for last-minute men’s holiday clothes can be a nightmare at this time of year. High-street retailers are now beginning to get in their autumn/winter stock, sometimes leaving behind rails of un-wanted, misshapen clothing that do not belong in your suitcase!

However, if you’re budget-conscious now can be the perfect time to snap up a timeless piece to add to your summer wardrobe at a low cost. Depending on where you’re headed on holiday, whether it is a week-long cruise on the Mediterranean Sea or two weeks in Greece you’ll need to find appropriate clothing to take with you on holiday.

The main thing to keep in mind when shopping for men’s clothing is to find classic pieces that you can mix and match with several different outfits - there’s nothing worse than holiday clothing that scream ‘this is my holiday t-shirt’ (no, it’s not just women who are guilty of over-packing!) Top tip: staple shades of navy and tan or white and black are great against a summer backdrop in your holiday snapshots.

One versatile, staple holiday piece is a polo shirt. For example, this white and black polo shirt  is a great option for warm weather as it can be layered and accessorised without sacrificing comfort and practicality. My Dad would love this particular style! For a classic, understated look this simple polo t-shirt can be worn either during the day or even for a casual dinner with the family. I seriously only found out this week that the man on the pad likes polo shirts, after years of being together this was a revelation!!

The great thing about this look is that this doesn’t just have to be a t-shirt that you bring out once a year when you go on holiday but can be worn during the winter once you return to the UK under a jumper or hooded top.

A second item that is worth purchasing for your September holiday would be a classic shirt. Men’s short sleeve shirts are easy to come by in many retailers without having to purchase a garish piece from the sale rack. A simple short-sleeve shirt can often transform an outfit from daytime to evening and is a great alternative to formal, stiff long-sleeve shirts that you might wear for the office. Whether you wear it with jeans, a formal pair of trousers or tucked into a plain pair of shorts, a plain short-sleeve shirt is one purchase you should make this August.

So, if you’re heading to the shops this weekend to pick up a few items for your impending holiday, keep your purchases classic and simple and you’ll have a holiday wardrobe you’ll be able to mix and match for a smart-casual look, which is really the same principle we should all adopt but shhhh, that would stop my need to buy new clothes every month!