A Year Without Crayons

For the past few years I've blogged about the annual adventure we take buying school supplies.  This fall I didn't think that I was going to have anything to write.  Cassie wanted only a black binder and some spirals.  And, when Lacey downloaded her supply list, I was astounded to realize that she didn't need crayons for fifth grade.  I felt saddened and somehow cheated to realize that for the first time in 10 years I wouldn't be out shopping for crayons.

But, it seems that fifth graders have moved on to colored pencils.  So, we had the most boring shopping trip imaginable, shopping only for binders, notebook paper, spirals, composition books and colored pencils.  Regular pencils were also on the list.  But, during my summer house cleaning I had discovered a stockpile of about 300 pencils.

We deposited the supplies in the girls' bedrooms, absent the usual fanfare of, "Daddy, look at my pretty pencil case!" and "Mommy went to three different stores so we could find the cheapest crayons!"

Yes, I was feeling pretty blue.

Then, as I was cleaning house, I made a discovery.  I found a journal that Lacey was keeping.  The fact that she was keeping a journal was remarkable enough because I had been pestering her all summer to do some writing.  But, the contents of the journal were truly thrilling.  Take a peek.

In case you had any trouble with Lacey's handwriting, here's a translation:

"Clothes

tips:
-follow trends
(but only if you actually like them)
-try to dress like girl around you
-splurge on good quality staple items"

Well, my mind was really reeling.  Not only was Lacey writing and using words that I didn't think she understood.  But, she was writing about clothes!!!  I soon realized that these fashion ideas had to have come from the member of the family who can quote Coco Chanel.  Nonetheless, it seemed that Lacey was finally taking an interest in her appearance.

A couple evenings later, Les mentioned that since I had done the school supply shopping, he could help the girls shop for school clothes.   I explained that they both needed sneakers and Lacey could use a new hoodie.  That wasn't really all they needed.  But, I figured those were items that he could handle.  As the girls and I did the dishes,  we could hear Les pecking away at his computer.

"What size jacket does Lacey wear?" he called.

"O. . . M. .. . G. . ." Lacey mouthed at me, a look of panic on her face.

 "Quick," I advised, "Run and see what he's found!  Remember, he's color blind!!"

 I don't know what was funnier - the notion of Les shopping online for the girls' clothing or Lacey's reaction.  But, I did know that life as I knew it would never be the same.  

This year, instead of shopping for crayons we shopped for clothes.  And, what fun we had.  Check out these pictures of our mall action.