It all starts with the pencils...

Today I ventured out to Lakeshore Learning. My intention was to just pick up some of those jumbo pencils that fit so well into little hands. There was so much stuff that was cool (and educational, says that little rationalizing voice in my head) , that over an hour later ending up leaving with more than just the pencils.

Our new school stash includes:

• Washable tempera paints in the primary colors (red, yellow, blue), black, & white. They had some nice paint holders that coordinates to the paint colors, but I'm planning on using some of the 8 million egg cartons I have stored in the laundry room. I just *knew* I would find a good use for them one day!
• 3 kid-size paintbrushes
• 2 Daily chore charts & 2 packs of stickers (N picked smileys, R chose hearts) from Creative Changes, Inc. The hippy chick in me likes the reusable factor.
• 'Tiny Transport' stickers--these were a total impulse purchase. N was so excited by these little stickers, so I knew they would become a great incentive for him later. Plus, he's so cute when he really, really likes something.
• A pencil sharpener, which somehow in all our years of marriage we have somehow neglected to have in our possession. Makes ya think we're bold, ultra-decisive pen people, huh? Nah, T is a pen hoarder so everywhere he goes he ends up bringing home a stash that could keep those ancient monk scribes busy for decades. Only a slight exaggeration. Really.
• 2 different styles of pencil grips to encourage proper writing 'posture'

Oh, and can't forget,

• 2 jumbo pencils!

I also hit up Target for their super back-to-school deals. It's crazy to me that it's not even the middle of July and back to school is in full swing here. That's a definite reminder of yet another reason why homeschooling rocks! Anyway, I can't fully berate our crazy 200 day school year that starts in the middle of the sweltering FL summer, because yeah, whatever it takes to give me some rock-bottom prices! We got 10 boxes of crayons (they were that cheap!), colored pencils, watercolors, and blank index cards to make flashcards. And against all my house- and hair-preserving mommy instincts, I bought the kiddos blunt scissors--cool flame ones for R and a blue pair with a blade cover for N. I tried to convince him to get the blue flame version but no go. I may go get them anyway for S to use in the future.

Now I just need to start planning how to utilize our new supplies with some activities that are fun (and educational, says you know who)! ;)