Friday, August 22, 2008

School Days

We've been busy getting ready for school to start. We've fought our way through the massive crowds near the school supplies isles. (Elderly women think their helping me by taking my fighting and crying little ones OUT of the cart. Thanks, but that doesn't really help.) We've bought our new school clothes. We've packed, unpacked, and repacked the backpacks. We've written our names on our supplies. Now it's time to sharpen the pencils.
Have you EVER seen so many pencils? Alyssa had to have 36 pencils. What on earth does one kid need 36 pencils for?

THIS is the sharpener we have. After 6 pencils, my poor arm was too cramped to do anymore. We used to have an electric pencil sharpener, but it always ate the pencils or sharpened them crooked so that the led fell out. This little sharpener came home in a kids birthday loot bag. It's my favorite one, but 40 some odd pencils is a bit much for the mini ghetto blaster.

And of course, any left over and extra supplies are quickly claimed. (Don't mind the chocolate all over her, she just ate an ice cream sandwich.)

15 comments:

Miki said...

I have to go edit something I wrote to you....I'll be right back.

Unknown said...

I totally agree with you on the whole supply list...ridiculous how they have to have so many pencils. I am to the point that I don't send as many as they ask for, I keep them at home and my kids can get them when they need them! It's fun checking out your blog, BTW! Thanks!

The CEO said...

Seriously...36 pencils. That's a heck of a lot of standardized testing! :)Shanna

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

36 pencils? That's like one a week for the school year. Yeah, I don't think so. We have an electric sharpener (get yourself one pronto!)...but it still took forever to sharpen them. And we had bought some "colorful" ones - and they were too fat to fit into the sharpener. Luckily my hubby has a sharpener at work that he could get them to fit into...

Elise said...

36 PENCILS!! What?!? Does that teacher just love pencils or something? I don't know why, but Tom's school provides all of their supplies, so we haven't had to do that whole shopping thing. I can see the frustration of the other mothers in the stores, though, so sorry for that. Your girls look so cute!!

"The Queen in Residence" said...

We alsways start out with that many but the pencils that my kids end up using are the ones that I would trow out, about 2 inches long and tiny.

Miki said...

Okay....that was a long, "I'll be right back!" lol...

Anyway, back to school!!! YOu're doing so great. I love back to school time, and I love shopping along the school supply section. So many fun goodies for so cheap. I can't believe crayons are only 50 cents. That's just too temptimg. This time of year is so much fun. Enjoy!

p.s. I'm wondering if the teachers ask for so many pencils as they try to account for all of the parents that can't afford any?....hmmmm. You supplied enough for one per student at least! With two or three parents willing to fork over the buck or two, you've got the class covered for at least the first month. shheeshereee...

;)

Lee Ann said...

Wow! I think it's all crazy. Love the ladies trying to remove your kids. Cracked me up. Better buy a new sharpener before next year....she may need 72 then :-)

Jennifer P. said...

go go ghetto blaster pencil sharpener :)! I understand that they don't want every kid needing to sharpen a pencil on the first day, but they really wanted all #^ sharpened?!?! Crazy!

Cutie Kate! She's lovin' those pens :)!

And I laughed at the picture of old ladies taking your kids out of the cart. NOOOOOOOO! LEAVE 'EM IN THERE!!!

becky ward said...

that poor ghetto blaster! i love new school supplies. it always made me excited for homework (but that wore off quickly).

Mama Williams said...

You are crazy!

Emily said...

OH SCHOOL! Monday is the big day for us. They didn't ask for 36 pencils though, just 3 packs of crayons which I think is an abnormally large number. And also a dry erase pen. Since when do the parents have to buy the teachers dry erase pens... and do they really need one from every student?

I love your pencil sharpener!

Brenda said...

I can't believe how much work it is to get these kiddo's ready, but oh so worth it! Love the pghetto blaster! I had a similar problem a year back, I bought an electric one, but it was terrible and we threw it away, I have learned that already sharpened pencils form Walmart is $2 well spent! (Unless, all 3 of your kids each need to bring 36 pencils:))

The Wood's said...

I did it are you so proud of me. I don't know how to add people. i will have to call you and find out how. Speaking of kids growing up your kids are so big.

Anonymous said...

All those pencils remind me of 'You've got mail' and Meg Ryan says something about a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils...since then I've always wanted one. You're girls look so pretty in that picture.