Butterfly Backpack

 

There have been some stressful situations in our home lately. To help relieve that stress, Noel and I indulged in a bit of retail therapy. We went to the quilt shop to buy material to make a quilt to replace the one she was givin when she was 2 and keeps going back to when she is given new blankets. Then, we went to Hobby Lobby to buy thread for that project and the curtains I started on Saturday. As we were leaving, she saw a child-sized butterfly backpack that was 50% off and fell in love. I couldn’t deny her when she looked at me with her hopeful eyes. We left with the things we went there for and a small, pink, butterfly backpack, and she had a huge smile on her face. 

Back to School Shopping

Noel is starting school Thursday, so today we did our back to school shopping. Knowing this is probably the last time we do this is bittersweet. On one hand, I hate back to school shopping. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’m ready for her to be grownup. Either way, I soaked it up today through four stores in two hours. 

We went to Target first thinking we would be able to find the supplies she wanted. We did not. They didn’t have much of anything left. We got a bit of make up and decided we would have better luck at Office Depot. 

On our way to Office Depot, we stopped at Kohl’s hoping they would have clothes that she liked and would fit. (She is quite small and has a hard time finding things her size.) Thankfully, she found a great first day outfit and a backpack. 

Our next stop was Office Depot. After some searching, she found the pencils she likes, a notebook, and a multi subject folder. We decided that if she needed anything else we would find it after she gets whatever lists from whatever teachers. 

As we started to leave the shopping center, I asked if she needed new shoes knowing full well that she has shoes. She has been talking about wanting a new pair for school for a couple of weeks. I basically talked her into going to Famous Footwear (it wasn’t hard). She picked out some shoes that go great with the outfit, and I was happy that they gave her a bit more confidence for her first day at a new school. 

I know we will have to go back to Office Depot Thursday or Friday, but I’m glad we were able to find what she needs for now. I hope this helps ease the nerves of going back to school for her senior year. 

Exhausted

Today has been an exhausting day. It all started with me having very little sleep last night. Then, I was reminded that Noel and I still needed a few things for camp, and we are leaving tomorrow. It was also necessary for both of us to get some laundry done. I also had to meet up with the other leaders at Costco to get the food for the next few days. 

I decided the easiest thing to do was get off at 1pm to start getting things done before I had to meet up e we it’s the others at 4pm. My boss was ok with it as long as I made up the hour later today. Thankfully, Chad installed the washer and dryer so we didn’t have to go to the laundromat. (It’s amazing how he sees the necessity when he is facing the possibility of having to go for the third time.). He also ran a load for me while I was running errands. In the end, I was not done running around until almost 9pm, and I still had to work for about an hour. It has been a long, tiring day. I hope I get enough sleep over the next few nights to be of use and have the patience I need to be around teenagers for three days.  

Thrifting

 

Every once in awhile, Noel and I like to go to the thrift store. We usually go with a specific purpose and come home with a few more things. Today, she wanted to look for a Disney inspired outfit for a dance she is going to tomorrow. 

We went in with the intention of buying a shirt and a pair of shorts or pants. One of the outfits she was thinking of, the one I liked the best, also would need a sash. We ended up also buying 4th of July shirts, another t shirt for her, a gag gift for Chad, a coin purse for my niece, and a rolling chair that she fell in love with for some reason. 

I love that I can buy that much stuff for less than $50, but I also just love going into a thrift store with my daughter and just playing around with her. We point out the ugliest things in each other’s size and tease them about wearing it and laugh about the gaudy shoes on the tables of dress shoes. Today, the chair she greatly desired brought us the most joy. After we paid for everything, she held our bag as I rolled her out of the store. The best part about it is that we can be as strange as we want because it doesn’t phase anyone. They have seen worse.