Shutter Sisters

The Sidewalk Says it All

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I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about a handful of words folded into a photo that takes the message to a new level.  Have you noticed this, too? 

This week my kids and I chalked little phrases of encouragement and fun all along the sidewalk leading from our house to the nearby elementary school for the first day of school.  We were delighted to be on a super secret mission to ease first day jitters and everyone enjoyed their role in bringing some joy to our neighborhood friends.  Taking the pictures of our adventure only added to my fun.  It made me want to share the happiness with you–the whole experience of writing the messages & then seeing the delight that followed was so incredibly gratifying.

Do you have a message that needs writing on a sidewalk sometime soon?  A few words of encouragement for a kid just waiting to be gathered from the pavement to your lens?   Let’s take this week to make some magic–not only with our words, but with the images we create from simple but kind experiences–like leaving a hope note on a sidewalk for the first day of school.

Comments

  1. I love this picture, but there’s a very real part of me that now wants to find some blue chalk and put a "n" right next to that a. My Wife says to me "Grammer issues much?"

  2. Yes! My kids and I are going to do this. They will love it. One phrase I am going to do is "Believe Big". It was the name of my first blog and it still makes me swell inside when I see those two words together.

  3. Wow, I wish I saw this a few days ago. My girls already started school, but this would have been so much fun to do. We would have gone to school the day before and done it at the playground (where the kids play before school starts) and up the walkway to that area. I’ll have to try and remember it next year.

  4. claudious–i hear you! we decided to forgo the grammar checkup and run with the enthusiasm instead, figuring that’s what school is for!! 🙂

  5. From a teacher’s point of view – it’s not only the kids who might need a little encouragement on the first day! Mine is Tuesday, and my wheels are turning, thinking about little messages to leave on the front sidewalk (and in the teachers’ room). Can’t wait to check back later for some ideas.

  6. This is such a great idea! I think I’ll try to surprise my kids with some encouraging words on our driveway since they get picked up by a school bus there. They are older (youngest starting middle school) but everyone can use some words of encouragement!

  8. Ah, will totally do this on my older son’s first official day of preschool on Tuesday. (This past Thursday was his orientation.)

  9. I was so excited by this idea that I’ve already got 4 moms and 8 kids that are going to show up along with me and my boys on Tuesday evening, the day before school, to do this on the sidewalk in front of the school. The kids are so excited! Of course, I will photograph it. I can’t wait! What a great idea Jen! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  10. Jenn, one question: Did you use regular chalk? The words are so bright and clear, unlike plain ol’ chalk. LOL. Just wondering…

  12. Jen we are on the same page so to speak!

    As I begin to fill my new lesson plan book for this year, the quotes on many pages spoke to me. I will begin "MondayMoments" on my site this week to share a quote and encourage those that are shaping our future…..much like you and your kids did on the sidewalk…

  14. This is a great idea! I agree it is fun to see words in a picture. I love taking shots of my writing in my moleskin notebooks.

  16. What a fabulous way to start the school year. I love it! My daughter’s best friend walks to school every day. I think we will go on a stealth mission and leave Cozette a little present for Tuesday morning.

  19. LOVING this idea! Tomorrow is the first day of school for my kiddos and I have a whole bucket of sidewalk chalk ready to start their day off!