Different

This is the time of year when we feel different. Most of the time our "homeschooling-ness" isn't a big deal and we just go along living our life without feeling particularly weird or out-of-the-norm. (Not that weird or out-of-the-norm is a problem, in fact it's one of my goals [she said slightly tongue-in-cheek]).

But not in the week or two before School Starts.

Monday the girls and I set out for the mall because older dd wanted to use a gift card to buy some earrings at Claire's and the only Claire's is at the mall. While she perused the options a few doors down, younger dd and I shopped for sneakers at the Rack Room. (OK can I just mention my Bad Parenting and note that my dd's new sneakers are 2 1/2 sizes bigger than her previous pair?) As we were paying for the pink & purple sparkly beauties, the store employee asked Caroline if she was "excited about Friday?" Blank stare and questioning looks aimed at me. Of course store employee didn't really want an answer from my child, and when she didn't get an immediate response she went on to tell me how happy all the "moms" were going to be now that Friday's Coming. I'm so over this particular line of thinking. Made polite noises about how my dd doesn't start school until "after Labor Day" and we excused ourselves. (In my wise old-age I'm learning to give out very little personal information to strangers and I'm almost getting to where I don't get bothered by people's usually-innocent but annoying comments. Such maturity on my part.)

Yesterday I went out in search of water guns. Finally found them on a clearance rack (6 small for 75 cents, woohoo!) at the Bad Store (see below) but had to wade through oceans of spiral-bound notebooks, lined paper, glue sticks, and waterless hand-cleaner (?!?) in order to get to them.

Sing with me now, "It's all about Schoooooolll, It's all about Schooooollll..."

We'll venture out next week to buy some new #2s and a few pink & purple sparkly items to support our homeschooling adventures.