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Not just pencils, 'Desk Enhancements'. (Back-to-School: best school supplies)
Published 08.31.2006 | Permanent Link | Comments (13)
It seems even the kids in my little group of friends are ready to go back to school. My children are punching each other in the face, not because they're fighting, but because they're so bored. My girlfriend's three daughters spent the other day laying on the floor with their new backpacks on asking if it's time for school yet? My other friend's kids are acting like an old married couple, finishing each other's sentences.
It's time for school. It's also time for pencils! When you're attempting to master writing the alphabet, you're going to want something in your pencil box to make you smile.
My sister in law sent along these personalized pencils for my kids one year. Not a lot makes my kids happier than seeing their name on just about anything. I might even get them to eat chicken if I could find a way to tattoo their names on it. Hmmm...
These pixel pencils aren't likely to get lost in the dark reaches of a first grader's desk. But don't take that as a challenge.
Scented pencils? In my day we only had scratch and sniff stickers which always smelled the same (like strawberries) and we liked it.
These dessert shaped erasers will ease the pain of erasing all your hard work.
I'm honestly not sure how I graduated without this gummy bear pencil sharpener slash eraser I made it through without it, but maybe it explains all those years of angst. Or not.
Tomorrow we conquer, or at least look at, back to school anxiety.
PS: We escaped backpack shopping with no characters! The Fairfax for Madison. With her name, see my point above: 'all things are better with your name on them.' We also got the Collegiate for Max. Someday they'll be in therapy because I wouldn't let them have character backpacks but for now we're all happy.
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About
Melissa Summers was one of five Melissa's throughout her schooling, in her everyday life she is the only Melissa who folds laundry. The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word for Honeybee. The Buzz Off is published weekly on Tuesdays. She writes almost nearly everyday at Suburban Bliss.
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Melissa's Buzz Off is a collection of pretty much anything Melissa wants to buzz about. Sometimes what she wants to buzz about is also what you'd like to buzz about. The Buzz Off is a collaboration so you can tell her anything at You can email me at melissabuzzoff@gmail.com
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Comments (13):
Sara said:
Yeah! So glad to see this column.
I love that the picture of Madison's backpack on the Pottery Barn site actually has an example with her name on it.
Posted on August 31, 2006 11:22
Teresa said:
Our school supply lists this year decided on our pencils for us - down to the brand. There will be now colors or designs or scents for my group. Their teachers required yellow standard No 2s. So sad.
Posted on August 31, 2006 12:18
julia said:
What's wrong with character backpacks? You're wound just a wee bit too tight. I'd hate to see you put your anxieties on social status put on your children.
Posted on August 31, 2006 16:36
melissaS said:
I just think they're tacky. It has nothing to do with my "anxieties on social status..." just a matter of personal taste.
Viva La Character Backpack...on your kids.
Posted on August 31, 2006 17:44
pixie sticks said:
And you'd be and right. Character backpacks are tacky and stifle the imagination (mine and theirs) and probably cause other horrible things - like tooth decay.
Posted on August 31, 2006 18:17
Becky said:
I allow the character backpacks, but I draw the effing line there. No characters shoes in this house, ever. My kids can join yours in therapy.
Posted on August 31, 2006 20:42
madge said:
AHHH! No characters!
But, of course, my kid isn't even three years old. So, you know, I could be eating my words. Soon.
Posted on August 31, 2006 21:56
melissaS said:
madge: character items are an inevitability, thus my joy at avoiding them this year.
Posted on August 31, 2006 22:18
amy said:
My cunning 4-year-old talked me into buying the Hello Kitty shoes just last month, knowing full well that I never let her get the character shoes. And now she's the proud owner of a Dora backpack. And I no longer have any standards.
Posted on August 31, 2006 22:46
melissaS said:
Four is late onset Amy. You fought the good fight.
(We had Hello Kitty tennis shoes and a pair of Barbie sandals before.) (Also a Fantastic four backpack, an elmo and grover backpack, a Hello Kitty backpack, a Batman lunchbox....etc etc etc.)
Posted on August 31, 2006 23:14
pixie sticks said:
I'm extra mean. I won't even let my kids be "characters" for Halloween. bwaaahhh. Of, course, they're only three and one at this point so it's not really a fair fight!
Posted on September 1, 2006 13:24
Isabel Kallman said:
Julia,
Thank you for visiting and I see that you have started an interesting exchange.
However, I must share that I know Melissa very well and one of the many reasons why I and many others admire her is because she would be the first to admit if she were 'passing along any social status anxieties to her children.'
The reasons why I hired Melissa were because she is incredibly insightful and a wonderful writer to boot. In addition, she has great taste, is a complex woman (which many of us are), and is refreshingly honest.
I hope you will visit again and see why she is so beloved.
Isabel
- Alpha Mom CEO
- mom to preschooler with Spiderman backpack
Posted on September 1, 2006 21:34
Paula said:
Oh my gosh, I'm so jelly, Melissa has the CEO of Alpha Mom getting her back! You go girl.
I fought but lost the battle with character items. We have darth vador shoes, dora purses, spiderman shirts, spiderman rolling backpack...I just couldn't deal with the screaming and whining. At least Barney is still banned from this house.
Posted on September 8, 2006 08:32