School Supply Shopping Fun?

“Okay, so here we go,” I said, unfolding the crumpled piece of paper that I pulled out from the bottom of my purse. I really needed to clean out my purse. It currently was home to receipts, straw wrappers, change, gum, and what was that brown stuff? Oh, right. Natalie had tossed in a cookie stating she’d eat it later. Only it was crushed by all the change and was turned into a pile of crumbs.

“So we need….what is this? 12 glue sticks? Are you guys going to be gluing together a replica of the Eiffel Tower or what?” I joked.

Natalie didn’t get the joke. She just stared at me.

“Four boxes of crayons. And I like how they specified Crayola in bold,” I continued.

It was time to go back to school shopping. This would be the first year I’d have to shop for two kids in school. Kudos to the people who have to shop for more than two kids at a time because yikes, expensive.

“I like this Angry Birds folder,” Natalie said, holding it up.

“Er, you don’t need a folder,” I explained.

“I like,” Natalie repeated, teeth clenched, “this Angry Birds folder.”

“You don’t,” I mimicked, “need it.” I took it from her hand and put it back. Yes, she was insulted.

I started putting stuff into the cart. Tommy needed specific folders. And weirdly, crayons. Fifth graders still colored? I guess for art class, maybe.

I always follow the brand that is mentioned on the list. I figure teachers know what works best so I don’t always go for the cheap stuff. If they ask for Clorox wipes than Clorox wipes is what they get.

Technically I could have gone to this program they offered where they give backpacks and school supplies for free to military members—but I feel if I can afford to go out to eat and shop at Target, than I can afford to buy them myself.

“One ream copy paper. Ha, ream,” I muttered to myself. I can be so incredibly immature. But I had to do something to makes this trip fun.

“Mommy! Can I get these beautiful flower erasers?” Natalie asked, holding a package up.

“You need two pink pearl erasers. I like how they add the pearl in to make it sound fancier,” I snickered.

“I like flowers better,” Natalie pouted.

Why couldn’t Tom have the day off? Why? It would have been so easier going shopping without Natalie.

“These pink erasers are just as exciting,” I promised. “Plus, they’re your favorite color. Pink!”

Natalie dropped the flower erasers back where they belonged. “My favorite color is purple,” she sniffed, but took the pink erasers.

By the time I was finished I was poorer, crankier, and the proud owner of a Hershey’s chocolate bar.

(Hey. It was my reward! It’s not always easy to find 1 package of plastic dividers with tabs in a specific brand.)

(Or to figure out what pair of pointed scissors will work best.)

(Yes, I went for the cheapest since nothing was specified.)

(Scissors are scissors, right?)