school supplies

Much to everyone's disappointment, it is almost time to shop for school supplies.

This used to be easy - a new notebook, and some sharpened pencils and we were done. Maybe some new markers for good measure . . . but we didn't need much else.

That is, until Kooka decided to take a swing at public school - last year's supplies for first grade alone (not counting clothes) set us back over $65. SIXTY-FIVE dollars! Sixty-five bucks worth of glue sticks, and tissues, and pencils, and dry-erase pens, and God-knows what else.

This year, both kids are going to a new charter school. Not that they didn't good opportunites last year - it was an important experience for both of them. Still, we think this school will be the next best thing to homeschooling.

But we haven't received our school supplies list yet. Based on what I know, it will likely be something like "a handful of river pebbles, one feather, and organic wood pulp so they can make their own paper."

Regardless - second grade should cost us less than first.