Even though it's just the beginning of July, school prep is in full swing. You know the routine...have your kids try on their school uniforms, shake your head and then forehead slap yourself because they've outgrown EVERYTHING AGAIN!! Now for the rat race to find more uniforms before your kid's size is all sold out in the local stores; or maybe get lucky and find them online and cross your fingers and say a little prayer that they show up in the mail on time and aren't back-ordered.
Of course, then you have to start gathering the school supplies. As usual you go through the pain staking trouble of marking the list the school supplied, for which supplies your kid's grade is required to have. Then you put it on the counter/table so you can grab it on your way out the door.....then you walk out the door WITHOUT IT and miss yet another opportunity while you're running errands, or on your lunch hour from work, to get the required supplies.
The shoes.....don't even get me started on the shoes {{sigh}}. They must be black shoes, with black rubber soles with black shoe laces. But of course 99% of the stores are sold out of your kid's size already and when you order them online the store ships you the wrong shoes or the wrong size. I've threatened to buy a can of black spray paint and call it a night!
During this whole process we're pondering the idea that our kid is another year older, another grade higher and we find ourselves counting how many more years until they graduate. By the way, I have one entering the 7th grade and I have one starting her Junior Year of COLLEGE. So when you're counting how many more years until they graduate, relish in the time you have left before they "leave the nest"; you'd better also be taking account of how many years you have to start saving for their Senior Year in High School....let me tell you first hand....it's NOT cheap. EVERYTHING costs and you'll be forking over cash almost every single week of their entire Senior Year.
While you're freaking out trying to get your kid's prepared for the quickly coming school year, enjoy this time. I know that sounds insane but really.....enjoy this time, enjoy having to go through the trouble, because that means you're kids with be home this school year. We are seeing our college student less and less each year, and in a couple years she will probably be moving to another city/state for work after she graduates.
So....forge on and get your kiddos ready for school and good luck checking those needed items off your list!