Wednesday, August 13, 2008

SCHOOL SHOPPING

Today I went to Target with Kristin and Stephanie. School shopping is not what it used to be. I remember going to the SCHOOL section of the store and spending a lot of time picking out folders, trapper keepers, notebooks, crayons, kleenex, etc... You know the drill because many of you have been there doing exactly the same thing! Now when we go, we make a brief stop in the SCHOOL section to pick up a few notebooks and immediately make a beeline for the HEALTH AND BEAUTY aisle and the DORM section. When did that change?? When did they stop looking for their favorite puppy, kitty or Lisa Frank folders?? It is kind of like trying to remember the last time your "baby" sat on your lap (and didn't crush you!). It just happens...sometime.

Well, as we made our quick sweep through the SCHOOL section at Target, I gasped at the realization that school was going to start whether my kids are here or not and if I want a chance to get the GOOD stuff- especially for Romeo and Rodrigo, I needed to get to work!! I frantically searched through the pages of school supplies trying to find the lists for my two boys. You would think that the list for Cambridge would be easiest to find since...this is Cambridge! Well, all I could find were lists for every other town around here. Finally, I found the 5th grade list for Cambridge! No luck on the kindergarten list, so I grabbed another Kindergarten list thinking that it would be about the same. At any rate, I started my school supply search for Romeo and Rodrigo. The dry erase marker, glue sticks, pencils and highlighters were easy choices. Basically, no frills school supplies. But when I came to the folders and notebooks, I was paralyzed with indecision. Should I go with the plain ones...or the fun ones with the pictures on them? Is it "babyish" to have a design or basketball player on your notebook (when you are 11-years-old)?? Besides all of that, I had no idea WHO the basketball player was??...or any of the other athletes for that matter. Is this guy a good role model? What kind of message would I be sending to Romeo to buy something with an egotistical sports figure on it??? Oh my goodness! I think I need some help. I decided to wait on the notebooks, folders and pencil box. It all worked out ok because the other two girls were about ready to move on to the HEALTH and BEAUTY section of the store. I will deal with it later.

New realization for today - My days back in the SCHOOL section at Target have returned!

2 comments:

barb Holmberg said...

I am glad to know I will recognize someone in the school supply isle as I will be there for many more years myself :)

barb

Anonymous said...

Mary, I couldn't resist! I had a "shocking" experience in the school supply section 2 years ago! (with the families who had come for nursing dept. at Grandview.) Some of the requests were very specific. I did not know there were so many types of markers and color pencils. My advice: Take someone with you who can translate the details. (like Barb). The children will be overwhelmed as I was related to choices! After they get "in the swing of things"next year they will be more excited for that shopping trip! rox