back to school shopping

It's crazy, but as we hit the middle of July I start to plan when I'll be heading back into my classroom (yuck) and how Patrick and I will spend our last few weeks of freedom together.  I'm still planning a trip to the zoo, a trip the aquarium, a visit to Kelley's Island, a beach day and many more summertime snuggles.

Along with this "back to school" itch that I don't want to think about yet, I get in the mood to shop.  It doesn't take much, right?  Like, back-to-school shopping for my child that doesn't go back to school.  Remember going back-to-school shopping?  It was the best.  My mom kind of spoiled us.  Well, she really spoiled us.  First we would head out of town for all kinds of school clothes and then we'd go to Staples or some other overpriced office supply store to get all the supplies we would need for the upcoming year.  And yes, we had to have all new.  Brats.

So even though my child doesn't attend school, I still get the urge for new things (and these new things must be saved for).  I guess it's because I'm a teacher so I still like that "fresh" feeling in my home before the school year gets started.  Here's what's on the list.

New shoes.  What would a new school/babysitter year be without a new pair of kicks.  You guys know how I love Stride Rite (they're all I buy for Patrick) and he has already trashed the two pairs I bought him for the summer.

preschool declan

preschool payton

New diaper bag.  With Patrick going to the babysitter a few times a week along with the impending birth of our second, we'll need a new bag.  I threw away the Vera Bradley I used with Patrick months ago.  You just get sick of looking at those things. 

This is the Classic Mom diaper bag from PB Kids and I am completely obsessed with it.  I don't take my diaper bags lightly - they must be perfect.  Perfect color, perfect size, and perfect practicality.  It's only $149 plus personalization costs.  ::sarcasm::




New work clothes.  I'll be prego the first couple months of school (or that's what I'm planning on at least) and will be in desperate need of maternity work clothes.  Enter:  Asos maternity.  I love you.

Obviously I need each and every outfit.




New baby stuff.  My mother-in-law is amazing and always uses her diaper coupons on us and sporadically drops off packages at our house.  Well yesterday she dropped off two packages of size ones.  Come on, I almost cried.  But on that note, I keep putting off those purchases I should be making ahead of time, like diapers. 

I've said this a million times, but I have to have a couple packs of these swaddles from aden + anais.  They're perfect for everything and even though they stay in great shape, I just want new ones because I live in America and we like new things. 

I'm thinking about getting a swing for this baby - I never had one with Patrick and we survived just fine, but now that I have everything else in the gear department I might as well go for it.  I like the shorter ones, nothing too fancy.  This is just a basic Graco from Target.

Other things I'll need for a new little one:  washcloths, baby wash (love mum & bub), basic cloth diapers to use as burp cloths, a new bulb syringe, and possibly a video moniter.




New lunchboxes.  Seeing as I have a serious problem about eating the high-calorie meals my school serves in the cafeteria, I need a cute lunch bag to force me to pack a lunch every single day.  Especially while pregnant.  What baby in a uterus wants school-grade ravioli?  Sick. 

Guess where I found mine?  PB Teen.  Such a kid at heart.

And for Patrick...PB Kids.

That's it for now.  The list usually accumulates more items, especially when I factor in the needs of my classroom but that can be saved for my August brain.  Right now, it's hot and sunny and I need a Jimmy John's sub.