Back To School Shopping 3

CONCLUSION
I think next year will shop for our son's clothes on line. His sneakers at the store. School supplies at the stores.  I guess there is something to be said for doing things the old way and doing things the modern way. You just have to find what works for you. 

I can't believe Summer is over and another School year is getting ready to begin. Wow did summer go by fast.

Back To School Shopping Test Part II

This is the second part in a two part post about a back to school shopping test that I did.  Our son's school gives you the supply list for the next school year in June. After I hunt it down because I put it in a secure spot that I moved about ten times. After all I am "paper keeper" in our house. I am the keeper of lists, memos, newsletters, impotant paper to include mail, an any other piece of paper that comes into the home.(This also includes yellow post it shoved in ACU pockets that read bring home MILK which I get to promptly file in the circular file.)
List located I sit in front of the computer with my credit card, and my coffee in hand. I have high hopes of blissfully sipping coffee and getting everything on this list all in one place. As I really look at this this I am shock at what they now ask for! Ear buds for Ipads! Dry Erase Markers! What happened to the good old crayons and pencils. This list even tells you which name brand of pencil. Since when did teachers get so picky about Brand names of pencils!
To get the list complete I had to go to many stores on the computer which meant many shipping charges. I used a big superstore first which didn't have the prices that their store did.  They were out of many many many items. which was sad.
My Observation: You do not get the prices you do at the stores. The shipping charges can add up.  97 cent shipping is only on certain objects. Free shipping is on nothing  I need.  One stop shopping is not going to happen

Back to School Shopping Test Part 1

Every parent knows the dreaded task of sending your child back to school!  This year I am running a test.  Is it easier to shop at the mall or on line for school supplies? I split my list into two parts, clothes and sneakers, that I would shop for at the mall and School supply list that I wouls shop for on line.
The first day of the test was off to the Mall with our 6 year old and our Mother's helper to find clothes and sneakers for back to school. I was armed with coupons that had collected from online and various magazines.
Our first stop was Famous Footwear.  They still measure your child's foot and believe me give you great one on one customer service. Honestly I don't think I could get this kind of human service online.
We no sooner got into Abercombie when our son was hungry and becoming increasingly loud about the fact he was hungry.  Ugh the whole world has to stop and find My lovely son something to eat or you can't shop.
We continue our shopping spree at the Children's Place, JC Penny, Build a Bear,Bath and Body, and Target. 
After a long long day of shopping home was such a welcome sight!!!!!

My Observations:  I  did save the shipping charges.  Some of the online coupons didn't work and didn't get honored.  One lesson learned was the last place little boys want to be on a sunny day in August is the mall.

Who's Your Daddy ????

Only in New York City could you see this!An RV for testing DNA!! Who's Your Daddy is a Brown and White RV owned and driven by Jared Rosenthal which he operates for Health Street Clinics. The reason this RV is so shockingly special is a place where Father and Children can get their DNA tested.
I'm use to seeing the Ice cream truck,Fed Ex, and UPS come to my neighborhood but a DNA RV? I'm not sure how I feel about this.  Is this a sign of the times we live in? Do we really need a mobile DNA Unit to come to a neighborhood near you?

Before Summer Ends Why don't You...

Before Summer Slips away to Fall.  Why don't you do a few of these things before summer runs out of time!
1.  Catch a jar of Fireflies.
2.  Go to the Stadium and watch a baseball game.
3.  Eat at an open air cafe.
4.  Make a pitcher of homemade lemonade.
5.  Hike around a lake or a pond.
6.  Have a picnic.
7.  Take a long bike ride and soak in the sunshine.
8.  Build a campfire and make smores.
9.  Go swimming.
10  Play a good old fashion game outside like kickball, tag, kick the can or another childhood favorite.
11. Camp out with your kids in the backyard or the living room.

A Flavor Boost

Your supposed to drink water to stay healthy.  For me drinking plain water can get boring.  I like flavor in my water but I'm not a big fan of the additives some of the bottles and packets have.  I was browsing in Target the other day when I saw the coolest water pitcher. It is just called Pitcher sku #9200060238.It was 7.99.

It is made of plastic.  The middle cylinder comes out and you can load it with fruit of your choice to make fruit flavored water. The juices and water mix there the slats but the pulp and seeds never get out into the water.  When you are done you just empty the middle part. 

Some fruits we have used:
Lemon
Lime
Strawberries
Peaches
Oranges
Watermelon
Mangoes
Raspberries
Pineapple
Blackberries
Blueberries
Melons
A neat trick is to use frozen fruit as ice cubes in the water.

Spoil Yourself While he is gone

When your Favorite Soldier goes away whether it be for training or deployment, getting used to a new routine without him or her is difficult.  I  sneak in little presents in the coming days or weeks ( depending the length).  This way you are looking forward to something and not just counting the days until Your Favorite Soldier comes home again.

Some Suggestions for presents to add in to your day while your Favorite Soldier is a away

1.  Go to a nice Salon and get your hair cut.
2.  Start a workout routine.  Start doing that DVD ya bought with such good intentions but never took out of the clear wrapper.
3.  Have Spa night with your girlfriends.
4.  Have a chick flick night and invite a few girls over.
5.  Host dinner at your house and instead of you cooking have everyone bring a dish.  Have fun with this one.  You can pick countries, or best dish from childhood, there are so many ways to go with this.
6. Take a class you have been dying to take.
7.  Get a mani and or pedi
8.Take a hundred dollars to the mall and find little luxuries to spend it on, ie bubble bath, candles, makeup...
9.  Go for a hike.
10.  Have a slumber party with your girlfriends.  Let your hair down, have fun, play games, laugh!