We’re so glad she’s home safe and sound now and we’re all adjusting to the new family situation so easily.

I’m ready for it!.I love this time of year.

It’s like a mini New Year celebration and a chance for fresh starts, big plans, all that good stuff.. Just for fun, and for a little decorating project for Kennedy and I to do together, we decided to put together this little fantel display.Fantel is short for fake mantel, for those of you just joining us around here.. All the back to school cliches are there!Apples, rulers, bright yellow pencils, chalkboards, books, a globe.

We’ve got them all covered.. One day when I grow up, I hope to be one of those moms who have the whole back to school celebration planned out to a T for months in advance.Cute lunch pail printables, back to school outdoor decor, special back to school dinnerware, you know the type!.

For now, this is a fun little baby step to try to make this time special for Kennedy..

The little chalkboards were 33 cents at Michael’s!Not this time though, this one actually works!.

We started out with a basic air-dry clay recipe.I used a cornstarch based one and it worked like a charm!.

1/2 cup cornstarch.1 1/2 cups salt.