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Back to School, family, Ireland, irish summer, kids, motherhood, parenting, school, summer
As ”back to school” time approaches next week, I finally got my act together today and went shopping. I bought the last few books, pens, pencils and other paraphernalia required for the new school term.
My two excited and willing helpers got very distracted by the fancy erasers and pencils which the bookshop kindly put on display right in front of the checkout. So much so, that a fancy or two found their way into my shopping basket, despite my better judgement.
I hope DD2′s teacher realises she will be expected to admire the super-duper not at all cheap eraser (centre of the pic below) when the first deliberate mistake is made!
Still reeling from the cost of the books (not to mention the weight of them), this time every year I wish I lived in the UK where you lucky people don’t have to buy schoolbooks. Oh to live in such a Utopia!! Alas, I don’t, so I just have to take the bill with a whiff of smelling salts and carry on.
Now with the necessities done, we are going to enjoy the last few days of the girl’s school holidays by gallivanting around the countryside, pretending to be tourists, admiring the scenery and taking a wrong turn or two due to the poor signposting.
Gone Fishing (no, not really). Back soon!!
Love books! That’s the english teacher in me – sorry.
We love books in this house too. Often the english reader books are fully read before the girls ever go back to school!!
Beautiful.
sorry you have to buy books – we have to in high school and university
The cost of schoolbooks is an annual debate on radio and TV here. A small price to pay for education though I suppose.
that is a good way to look at it
Don’t you love those at the cash register displays? They suck you in every time.. I’m looking forward to back to school. I think the kids are too, at this point.
I think we all need to get back into routine here too. The girls are looking forward to going back and catching up with their friends.
What??! You have to buy your daughters’ books? Seriously, half of the US population would be uneducated if we had to buy ours. Oh, the people who just don’t care enough. We only have to pay for college books, an perhaps for private schools.
Now I am doing a “What?!” You get free books too?! How did we draw the short straw in this country??
Well, I’m sure you make up for it somewhere. Good health care paid by taxes? Roads without potholes?
Well done for getting it done and enjoy the last few days! I’ve got so much to do when we get back to Dubai on Thurs – 2 different schools so 2 uniform shops, labels, new lunch boxes…agh! Kicking myself for leaving it til the last minute!
I’m a bit in shock at the cost of supplies here and weirdly our friend in the public system has nothing to buy. Our fault for leaving England
There are advantages and disadvantages to everything I suppose!!
Nothing better than gallivanting around the countryside to prepare one for a return to school. Thanks.
Nice to have the book buying behind you, Ellie. Enjoy the time left.
Yes, Ellie, at least all the books are there now and you are ready to go! And that is a super duper eraser! I usually get caught out at the checkout displays too!
There really is nothing more exciting than to see young children getting ready for the next school year. Getting new school supplies. Getting new clothes. Anticipating meeting new friends and greeting old ones.
Nothing more exciting for a mom than sending off her kids after a hectic summer of fun and kids. lol
And then there is the teacher awaiting the new school year…….Well, she is pretty excited too. I was excited for 25 years.
I’m rather enjoying ……..not so much excitement now.
We’ve done school supplies in my house and it’s nuts! School starts for my kids Wednesday the 22nd and for me the next day. Hope you have a great last few days and an amazing year for your kids!
Once again, I see your post reminds me we share a universal similarity in life…and back-to-school is no different! Hope your kiddos have a great first day….we are on Day 3 and the novelty is fading fast!
Happy back to school. I don’t know if I loved this time of year so much when I was a kid, but I do know. The fresh new notebooks, the change of seasons and having more of a schedule. Although I’m a bit sad that this year because my oldest starts her last year of high school *sniff*
Ellie this is one thing I don’t miss having to do since moving here. We don’t pay for the kids books either here. We only have to buy their school supplies like pens and folders but no big bills for books. Must say having been a teacher in Ireland I do prefer the school system here…am I allowed to say that out loud. Oh and the bus is also free too,Enjoy those last few days, I know we intend to do so here.
Oh yes you are allowed to say that!
I think every system has its good points and bad points. Hope your boys have settled back in now.
Oh wow, you have to by all your own books? That must amount to quite a lot each year. Twenty years since leaving school and I’m still a sucker for fancy stationery. Every September, I often wonder whether I can get away with buying a new pencil case and lovingly displaying it on my work desk.
And dont forget the fancy eraser too. You’re nobody without one of those!