I’m not entirely certain what happened to the last two months. Is it just me or does summer seem to get shorter and shorter every year? My girls start school tomorrow and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m not ready. My weekend has been dominated by school supply hell. Our state is having a tax free weekend on all school supplies, clothes, shoes, etc. which means the stores are a zoo. And of course because of conference I waited to the last minute to prepare.
I made the mistake of taking the girls with me to do a little shopping and ended up spending way more than I’d anticipated. However, I am now the Best Mom Ever thanks to Justice. My living room looks like a Staples exploded and I think I have enough 2 pocket folders, notebooks and paper to have killed an entire forest. I searched all over town for Fiskar scissors and made in the USA pencils until I finally gave up and just bought the first package of plain old number 2 pencils I could find. I tried. Really, I did. But the teacher will just have to be okay with what they bring in.
My girls have new backpacks, lunch boxes and tennis shoes. They are now fashionably attired and my oldest even has an adorable purse she can take with her to school. Is anyone else in the middle of school supply hell with me?
Kira
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I am not because for the first time since I started kindergarten, no one in my family is in school, either attending or teaching. We’ve got one headed into a master’s program in January, but until then, nobody is in school. Just for old time’s sake, I went to the dollar store and bought a desk-pad sized 16-month calendar so I can put my deadlines on it. It turned out to be only 12 months, so I’m guessing that’s why it was in the dollar store. :-S
I always forget about the dollar store. I bet I could have found a bunch of the stuff I needed much cheaper! Oh well, next time.
Kira-
I have been doing a little shopping here and there over the past month. Since 4th of July I have been watching the sales in the ads and slowly been buying what is needed. I have two to buy for this year and have been doing the best on getting it all done before the state tax exempt too. I have everthing ready to go, except I make my boys art shirts, so I have those to s=cut and sew. I have two more weeks to finish, so I have enough time. Good Luck with the start of the new school year. I will be heading back to school shortly after my boys, so enjoy. I do every year.
Every year I tell myself I’m going to start collecting supplies early. Every year I don’t. I was spoiled for awhile though – the girls’ old school had a program where we could just pay a certain amount and their supplies would be waiting for them on the first day. I really think someone needs to start this in the public schools…I know i’d pay. If I had the time I’d do it myself but we all know I can’t seem to get MY supplies, let alone everyone else’s.
Hi Kira,
I have an 11 year old daughter who is starting Middle School next month. She will be in Sixth grade. This weekend was our tax exempt weekend in NC. We bought her a lap top! (Hubby has been hogging it all weekend!) Now that she is older, she will need a computer. The pencils, notebooks, backpack and the like were all purchased last month. Everything gets picked over very quickly here, so I never wait to save a few dollars in taxes. I tried to buy her shoes, but the stores were too crazy. She can still wear her current shoes for awhile. As far as clothes. she needed a whole new Fall wardrobe this year. Nothing from last year fits her. Justice is also her favorite store and between her Aunt and me, she will look very stylish this Fall and Winter! My husband thinks we bought way too much, but we were also going for the Best Mom and Best Aunt awards! (and they do have some cute clothes)
They do! I’m such a sucker. And my oldest doesn’t usually care too much about clothes (youngest changes her outfit 3 times a day) so when she shows an interest I kinda have to buy. DH just rolled his eyes. He’ll get over it. (H)
I have three boys (soon to be kindergartener up to fifth grade), I didn’t have to buy a single school supply! Before school ended, I ‘preordered’ the school supplies through the school. I figured it out and what they were charging is about what I would have paid if I had done the ‘loss leaders’ in the ads (and bought the supplies slowly, not even figuring in the babysitter money that I’d have to pay to actually GET to the store). Plus, there’s no stress. I admit, I did buy a few things to have around the house to work on projects throughout the year and frankly, I just love new pencils, pens, etc. LOL. It’s the teacher in me.
I LOVE this idea! The girls’ old school used to do it and I really think the new one should implement the idea. It would save a ton of time and I’d gladly pay a premium just o have it over with. Good fundraiser for the school…better than selling the same cookie dough that everyone else is already selling that’s for sure.
Hi Kira! My two oldest start school next week. I cant wait!!! LOL! ANd next year I will have all three kids in school. Its going to be weird. As for school supplies, Im going to get them this week. I should have done it weeks ago, but what can I say I just lost track of time.
Have a great day! (*)
You’re going to love it when the kids are all in school. I remember for the first couple weeks I walked around feeling like I was forgetting/missing something but I quickly filled in the time with something. It was a little sad but I’ve loved seeing my girls grow and learn.
I have just one starting Kindergarten this year, and next year both my boys will be in school. I’m a little disappointed with our school, since I’ve gotten like NO information on what they’ll actually need. And since this is the first time I’m going thru it, I’m more than a little lost. I wound up getting supplies last week, just the basics I remember having. But I’ve yet to get new clothes. My son’s first day is the 30th … so I’ve got another couple weeks to procrastinate.
I felt the same way last year, Kim. The girls were starting a new school, my youngest was starting kindergarten. I didn’t even get a notice about the open house where they were supposed to meet their teacher until the day after it happened. I was so afraid that we’d moved from a good school to a bad one. But we ended up LOVING the school! Both of the girls had great teachers, made wonderful friends and learned so much. I know you guys are going to have a great year!
Check the website, if your school has one. Our school posts all of the ‘school supply lists’ online (along with information). Also, at the bigger stores (like a Target), they usually have in the school supply section, a list of the supplies. I remember growing up (back in the deep dark ages), never getting a list and then the first day of school (after all of the sales were over), getting a list. It used to annoy my mom to pieces! Also, you can maybe call the school ‘secretary’ and ask her to put you in touch with the kindergarten teacher (they have to be back a little before school starts). They should be able to help you
Kira, glad it worked out for your guys!! I’ve heard a handful of not so great opinions about the school from mom’s in the neighborhood, and in my case they’ve made a bad first impression. My biggest complaint is that they’re just lacking in giving out information … hopefully it’ll change once he’s in class and bringing papers home with him!!
Katie, thanks for the tip!! The website doesn’t have any sort of supply list, even for the higher grades. School starts on a Monday, and they’re having an open house the Friday before. So I do have that weekend to get whatever I might have forgotten …