First Day of School!

Today was the first day of school for my eldest. He's in grade one now! Omgoodness, excitement!
But his new path gave us a huge wake up call. Back to school shopping.
*shudders*
Now I understand, now I am in the loop. Now I want out.
But alas, we are stuck in this continuing circle of back to school b.s. And what is worse, we have it times 3!!!
Just how bad can it be you ask? *snickers* Well, sit back and be terrified my friend for I have seen hell, and its not pretty at all.
Firstly, I have to admit that Eric's school did offer a package that you can buy. For fifty bucks, you get everything he needs. For grade one, French Immersion. At the time, I couldn't. But hey, I have all summer...right?
Hang on to that thought, I'll get back to it later.
Okay, so last weekend Dave and I decide that we are going to buy the kids some new clothes. At Wal-Mart. (I know they are evil, but I sold my soul for discount prices) Mother informs me that its insane, more so than usual, and that I should leave her my youngest. We drop him off, assuring her that I will wire her the money for his University and head out to battle.
Wow. So much chaos. But huzzah! I don't have to brace myself for the stationary aisle. I just whizz by while grabbing a backpack. And only after almost becoming single (Wal-Mart - What are you going to do with the money you save? Hire a divorce lawyer. Thanks.) in the middle of the parking lot, we return. We're ready. Bring it.

Wait a second though. It gets better. This is the prime example of why my mother always nagged at me to be more organized. On the eve of B.T.S, while prepping Eric's bag, I notice something on the 'money' envelope for the school package. In tiny wording it gives me this earth shattering news.
"Please return by June 26, 2008."
Wait. No. What? It didn't say anything about that on the notice. There was no due date, just a bunch of volunteer options.
"Please return by June 26, 2008"
*beeping* hell.
But its okay, or so my love assures me. We will go shopping the next night. They never do stuff first day of school anyways.
Fair enough. This is true. So off my little man goes to first grade. So adorable. So excited.

Now, to keep this blog from becoming a novel, I will quickly write that Dave did go out tonight and got everything on the list. Bravo Daddy-O. But while I'm packing everything for tomorrow, it got me to thinking...
Was school always like this? Did our parents have to buy everything from pencils to erasers to freaking scissors? I can't remember. I just remember it spawning out of a magical cloud. I know it was that way in High School. But for grade one?
And the list was so specific too. Dave had to go around town...well...I'll show you what I mean:
HB pencils with erasers (36)
Medium sized white vinyl (4)
Large Glue Stick - 40g (10...really? 10? umm...okay)
Box of 24 Regular Pencil Crayons (1)
Large Kleenex Box (2...ewww snotty noses!)
Box of 10 Non-Toxic Washable Markers - thin (apparently, they are against fat?)
Ziploc medium baggies
Ziploc large baggies
Scissors - primary 5" blunt (heh...they said blunt)
Portfolio -dual pocket - red
3 Duo Tangs -with loose leaf- in green, yellow, and purple
Large zippered plastic pencil case

AND IF YOU DON'T GET THESE THINGS BY THE NEXT FULL MOON, YOU SHALL CRUMBLE INTO DUST AND BLOW OFF INTO THE WIND!!! *muwhahahahhahahaa*

*ahem* Seriously tho...my goodness. I argued with Dave for ten minutes because he was going to get a different duo tang and skip out on the portfolio! Don't mess with the school board, hon. They will eat you!

So, to wrap things up, its over, its done. And just a last tidbit before I go...I asked Eric what he learned today at school. He replied with "I don't know."
Ahhh...love our education system.

*kissles*