I bought a box of pencils yesterday. We don’t need them; we could build the world’s tallest Jenga game with the pencils already overtaking our junk drawer. But that chemical they pipe into the Back-to-School aisles (they do that, right?) wafted over to me, and suddenly I had an urge to buy pencils–not cute ones, definitely not mechanical ones (the horror), but the classics, their long hexagonal bodies painted that sleek school bus yellow that perfectly matches every back-to-school accessory. Pencil Yellow against Marbled Composition Book Black? On point. Pencil Yellow with Eraser Pink? A pair made in heaven. Pencil Yellow complimented by the pleasure that is Faded Sky Blue Lines Against Crisp Notebook Paper White? Fall fashion inspiration, if you ask me. Googling Pencil Yellow Sweaters stat because my weathered blue jeans are begging for the color of the season to pair them with, and if I can’t satisfy the express-yourself-in-pencil-yellow craving, I will be tempted to wear this, and I’m not even kidding.
Wait, I found this. Whew. We’re good. And because my literal interpretation of seasonal fashion needs to wave its flag, I’ll add these. That’s a half staff flag, down from the full-flying alphabet cardigan, thank you. Moral of the story? I’m August Nesting, a bit like prenatal nesting but the school version. Because sending kids to school is a lot like having a baby–you prepare for new routines, you buy little clothes, you pack a bag, you get all excited the night before “due date” and then you push them out into the world and you cry about it. And, for the record, I take nesting to the moon. If you need an example, I suggest you read the brussel sprouts and wall-painting episode, pre Dash, 2013. I needed an intervention.
We’re in similar territory now, illustrated in a conversation this past weekend that went like this:
Me: “I’ll be right back. I’m going to run to Target for a drawer organizer.”
Brett: “I thought you just bought a drawer organizer yesterday.”
Me (spoken fast, fluid and without a breath in true Vince Vaughn monologue fashion): “That was for Nella’s underwear drawer and this is for the girls’ hair stuff, but I think I’ll get one for Lainey’s sock drawer too because she wears socks on P.E. days and remember how awful those mornings were when we searched for socks, and SOCKS! Oh my God, I need to order more socks and P.E. shoes, I should probably wash those up or do you think she needs new ones? And speaking of P.E., what do you think about tennis lessons this year because you know if we’re going to do lessons we’re going to need to get things lined up now and ballet? What do we think about ballet? And Nella, should we try it again? She needs new tights, we need a better place for Lainey to do homework, I should line up some dentist appointments, I need school lunch ideas, where’s the pencil sharpener, and oh my God are you sorry you married me?” Cue long gasp for more breath. Exit stage right.
And the weird thing is, I love it. I love this crazy feeling. I love sniffing pencils, I love running my hands over smooth pages in new notebooks, I love using my most perfect handwriting to fill all the dates in my August calendar, fully aware I’ll never look at them and show up late. I did the same thing packing perfect diaper bags my kids’ first week of life, knowing weeks later I’d just shove a diaper in my purse, wet some paper towel for wipes and call it a day. But the nesting! We’re mama birds! We must nest!
Who cares what happens in November. In August, our drawers are full of socks, our lunch Thermoses are mold-free, our designated homework spots do not include shoving stacks of bills aside and scratching week-old peanut butter off the counter.
We will face the motherhood ritual of sending kids back to school fully prepared, wearing cute pencil yellow sweaters that will soon be buried under mounds of laundry. But not today.
Here’s a fun hint. Give the big teacher gift up front. First day. Don’t wait for Christmas or Teacher Appreciation Day (do it again then). Attach it with a note that says:
In case our enthusiasm and preparedness withers over the year (it will), this is to remind you that we are still in the game. We may lose homework folders, forget money for the Book Fair and make up the lower quartile of the Annual PTO Wrapping Paper Sale Contest, but we already appreciate what you do every day and are committed to trying our very best to support you. Feel free to remind us if we need to step up our game. Also, please fill in the following and send home so we know how to occasionally make your day a little brighter throughout the year.
Favorite Starbucks Drink:
Favorite Candy Bar:
Favorite Online Stores:
Favorite Candle Scent:
Favorite Lunch Spot and what you order there:
Favorite Magazine:
2 Things You Need for Your Classroom:
P.S. Please make note of our daughter’s clean backpack today, her organized desk and the fact that we are on time and ready to go on the first day of school. We are those kind of people regardless of how we may or may not slip up. Remember that.
Two weeks until game time. You know what that means? Today’s back-to-school craze is just Braxton Hicks.
This little one is going to be doing a couple days of preschool this year, and he’ll be facing it with ferocious shoes that screamed “Dash.”
And for those who’ve asked, Nella is moving up a level at her preschool and completing another full year there, a decision based on the same criteria we use for all of our kids–what we as her parents feel is the best place for her to thrive. We are excited to learn more and grow more, and next year we’ll be equally excited to take that learning and growing to kindergarten.
And one more flap of the festive back-to-school flag. I bring you cool lunch boxes! Shop away. Don’t forget the drawer organizers.
1. Cat Pack by Little JJ Cole
2. Bright Stripes by Wildkin
3. Waterproof Dishwasher Safe Personalized Labels from Minted (LOVE these and just ordered them for all three kids. We lost a couple Thermos cups last year and got someone else’s cup sent home once.)
4. Road Trip Zippee Lunch Tote by Sugarbooger
5. Log Cabin, Birdhouse and Diner Lunch Bags by Jane Jenni
6. Insulated Thermos Drink Cups
7. Unicorn Lunch Bag by Skip Hop
8. Vintage Alphabet Lunch Sack by Sugarbooger
9. Iguana Lunch Bag by 5 Sprouts
10. Police Car Lunch Kit by Thermos
11. Newspaper Lunch Bag by Good Bag
12. Fox “What’s For Lunch” Bag by Hanna Andersson
I love back to school shopping! I’m in the final year of getting my Masters degree in social work, so I don’t need to buy crayons or things like that, but I still get excited when I see them!
Kelle, that was hilarious and awesome! Thanks for making me smile. PS. I’m also a teacher and if someone ever gave me that note at the beginning of the year I would flip my lid! What a wonderful suggestion and thank you for supporting your children’s teachers. We are so much more effective when we have that support!!!
Back to school shopping is the best and I’m just a college student! No where near shopping for little ones. The idea of a freshly organized backpack and being prepared for whatever the school year throws our way is just a wonderful feeling! No shame. Enjoy the first day!
Kay
Love that note for the teacher, we’re so doing it!!! Our youngest did two years of preschool and Transitional Kindergarten before entering Kindergarten, best decision ever! Some questioned it but like you said it’s what we felt was best for her and it has made such a difference. She’s entering first grade this year! ????
Every fall I have to watch “You’ve got Mail”, bouquets of sharpened pencils and New York at it’s best. It catches a moment in time that fills my little book loving, school supply coveting heart with joy.
Is it weird that I felt giddy just reading this post?! I’m 30, out of college for eight years and out of high school for twelve (!). My son is a wee 4-month-old with no need for pencils, backpacks or new school clothes. But I still feel an expectant hush fall over me in August, remembering how I was dying to wear my new sweaters for our first week back despite the 90-degree heat in Maryland, and how important it was to have just the right folders, pens and decorations for my locker when the big day came.
School is such a huge, all-encompassing part of your life for so long: the place where you make friends, feel disappointment, learn to get along, make memories. It’s so strange and abrupt when it’s just . . . over. I miss it. (And maybe should have been a teacher. Look at this long ode to education!)
Coming from a schooling family–father was a principal, mom a music teacher–September has always felt more like New Years than January ever has! My baby is starting Middle School this year ???? so huge transition for both of us! We’ve got around 4 weeks to go still, but I’m slowly starting to “nest” (off to Walmart today for pencils! ????) and trying to push us both gradually back into the routine. Love Back To School posts!! ????
I’m going to sound like a cranky teacher but please don’t send that note in the first day of school. The beginning of the year is incredibly stressful and full of paperwork. The last thing I want to do is fill out a “survey” of my favorite things and get it back to the proper family. We don’t need Starbucks, or candy, or muffins. If you truly want to show your appreciation, a sincere email or card is much better.
As a former teacher of 32 years, I will have to respectfully disagree. I would be thrilled to get a note like this!
As a teacher, I agree back-to-school week IS crazy. That’s why this note is perfect! I would be so touched that a parent was thinking of ME as they were in the middle of getting their child ready for another year. As a parent, I’m stealing this 🙂
As a teacher I must disagree. I would love that note and feel appreciated from day 1. Send away Kelle!!
I am a teacher on the please-send-me-that-note! side. Show up with my favorite coffee or candy? I can forget a lot of disorganization and tardiness!
Oh, Kellie… you just *get* me! For the first time in 22 years, I am not preparing to go back to school as a student or as a teacher, and it has me feeling lots of things. I still can’t avoid the pull of the back to school aisles, though. You’re right… those colors… the nostalgia… it just pulls you in.
Gahhhh, sorry for the name typo. My fingers got a little too keyboard happy!
I wasn’t always crazy about going back to school when I was younger, but I always loved back-to-school shopping! I loved to get organized, get Lisa Frank folders and get everything just so in my Trapper Keeper. 🙂 I almost feel a bit guilty in this regard since I homeschool and we don’t need as much of the back-to-school trappings… but I still get to pick out fun stuff for the kids.
Sending my son off to college this month… the back to school shopping is way more expensive and emotional.
(I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your blog, but I read blog posts regularly and I love it here!)
I LOVE back-to-school shopping! I always have, and even though I don’t have my own kids to shop for yet, I have found a great way to curb some of my excitement. My community has a donation program this time of year, to collect new school supplies and distribute them to children who need them before their first day of school. I’m sure most (all, I’d hope!) towns have a similar program!
So today I went to target, filled a basket with all the new nostalgia-smelling notebooks, pencils, and colorful classroom necessities. And I’m glad my desires to shop went towards something good 🙂
I felt so sad when Kaish stopped taking lunches and got school lunches. There was something wonderful about knowing he could feel a little part of home midday.
You are a great mom.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the beginning of the year teacher survey. As a teacher turned stay-at-home mom I know how much blood, sweat, tears and love goes into teaching and I am hopeful that I will be able to convey my appreciation to my kids’ teachers once they start school.
Haha I love this! I am exactly the same way, and find myself randomly organizing my kitchen and bedroom and all sorts of things as the school year approaches. And as a teacher, I can testify that we sure do love presents (especially ones the include school supplies. Sad but true).
Oh man I totally understand. I’m graduating from graduate school in 2 weeks and I’m going through back-to-school-shopping withdrawals! I was at Target today, in fact, on a completely unrelated errand, and I stood in the school section trying to figure out how I could justify buying my 10-month old son a cool backpack.
Is it sad that my child is NOT in school yet and I have already been skulking down all the “back-to-scool” aisles checking out my soon to be future. I like imagining what my son will need. And yes, why do pencils smell so good….its gotta to be the chemical you mentioned. I think you might be Kathleen Kelly in the flesh!
I am a teacher, and agree with the comment above- no survey note. The best way to show support for the teacher is to have your child there on time every day, have the book fair money there every day, have the homework done and the permission forms handed in on time. It’s not so hard, really. We LOVE all the effort you put in to make your child feel comfortable, calm, and ready to learn each day. You are an amazing mama, and going the extra steps to help your child feel organized are a great example to all the mamas out there!
You got it right–send the survey note!. Yes, we teachers get bombarded with paperwork, health forms, bus notes, etc. etc. but hey… that is our job.. I loved knowing the first day and all the rest were ones where I smiled, encouraged, and had fun with my students as we all faced each challenge in our school year. Please send it… I am just retired after 35 years and I never got that kind of note… which is okay.. my students were awesome, and so were their parents but I would love that kind of note.
P.S. There is a pencil shop in NY I discovered and those pencils are awesome-CW Pencil Enterprises.. owned and run by a woman.. Pencils are special!!! Follow your heart.
I just have to laugh because I was perusing those very same aisles of the very same Target in Naples today! It was lunchtime, and the baby was tired, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the cute notebook dividers and pencil bags. My older four children were equally excited about their new school supplies. It’s definitely a disease, but I love it!!! Happy back-to-school to you and yours! 😉
My kids go to a school that doesn’t require us to do any back-to-school shopping. While my friends are all grouching about completing those lists and I’m secretly a little jealous. To offset that feeling I have a mother/daughter date planned with Ada to do some back-to-school clothes shopping, which will include Zara. Maybe they’ll have something in pencil yellow for her? My pregnant belly won’t fit into that cute sweater at the moment 😉
Check out Planet Box for lunch boxes. Indestructible. Have a look at the hashtag #planetboxlunches or just #planetbox for lunch inspiration.
Kelle, you hit the nail on the head so often in this post that you just about drove it right through the other side.
I don’t have kids, but I am a teacher, and I do have calendars written in green fountain pen ink which I forget to look at, expensive lunchboxes that I allowed to get a little mouldy on the seal during one hectic week last term, and I really enjoy yellow pencils.
Thank you for cracking me up, and thank you for letting me know that I am not alone in my constant breaking of new resolutions!
I wish one of your kids was in my class with that darling note on the first day! How adorable is that?!!! Also, teacher-moms feel this exact same feelings, but intensified!! I have two kids + 25 kids to prepare for on the first day!!! My B2S (Back 2 School) feelings don’t begin until about 3 days before, after I’ve mourned the loss of summer!
xoxo and hugs to you on the first official day!