Of course it's the first day of fall....

Ziggy, pictured here in happier, warmer times.

... because I had this conversation with my five-year-old son this morning:

Ziggy: Mom, I'm cold.

Me: Sure you are! It is cold in the kitchen this morning! That's why I'm wearing long pants, socks and a sweatshirt! You're wearing shorts and a tee shirt! Let me go get you some warm clothes.

Ziggy: Uh, I'd rather you didn't.

Me: But if you put the warm clothes on then you won't be cold!

Ziggy: Uh, instead of me putting on more clothes, I was uh thinking you could just make the air warmer?

I tried to explain the concept to him that adults try to delay putting on the heat for the first time of the season, but couldn't really come up with a good reason why.  But it does seem like you should wait at least until October 1 to turn the heat on, and I know some other (in my opinion, crazy) people like to wait until at least November 1.

So tell me, do you put on a sweater when the temperatures get cooler, or do you take Ziggy's approach and just make the air warmer? 

Back to School with Staples

It's Back to School time!

The first day of school last year

This year, back to school at our house was filled with change. I have three kids, and only my middle daughter, Kay, who is going into fourth grade would be back to her same school as last year.

My youngest, Ziggy, was starting kindergarten, and also his first year at our local elementary school. My oldest, Magpie, was headed to middle school.

It was a lot of change in a short amount of time, but we are now a little over a week into the school year, and I'm happy to say everyone is almost settled into the new places and new routines.

The first day of school this year

Every year our family shops at Staples for the usual back to school items like pencils and notebooks, so I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to work with Staples to also take a look at their other products for back to school, as I didn't realize Staples is a great source not only for typical school supplies but for backpacks, lunchboxes and much more, too.

For Ziggy who would be going to school for a full day for the first time and having lunch at school, I wanted to get him a lunchbox that would be easy for him to handle carrying and opening and closing by himself. I found the perfect one at Staples.com, the Kids Cooper Lunch Bag ($17.99). 

It's not too big for him to carry, it keeps food cool for up to six hours, and best of all, he really loves the shark pattern.

I also got reusable storage bags for his lunch items. Partially, because I am a big fan of making a "zero-waste" lunch, but also because I knew it would be easy for Ziggy to open and close these (Re)Zip bags ($12.99 for two that are sandwich size, or $14.99 for three that are a smaller, snack size).

I also got this turquoise backpack for my middle schooler ($35.72), and given it's hard to figure out what a tween is going to like, I was really glad to see her genuine excitement to use this backpack. In addition to having a lot of room for books, folders, her lunch bag, and other random stuff, it also has a small pocket perfect for emergency money, a water bottle holder, and a place for her cell phone.

I can't wait to see what awaits all of three kids in the school year ahead. Whatever happens, I know for sure we'll have a lot of stories to tell by the time it's June and the last day of school, and that with the exception of a few long days, that it will all go by so very quickly.

Magpie and Kay on their first,
last day of school, June 2008

Thank you Staples for helping us getting ready for the new school year!

I received the items mentioned here, as well as some other ones as well. There was no additional compensation and all opinions are my own.