The Great School Supply Breakdown

Those of you who know me well, and maybe those of you who just have picked up on a few things between blog posts and Facebook statuses, will not at all be surprised to learn that I love school supply shopping.  I love the lists, the organization, the labeling, did I mention the lists and the organization?  I take the "steady supply" part seriously having a handy container with all the extras at the ready.

I loved watching as a younger Gabriel would pick out a Transformer Thermos, a Star Wars lunch bag, a super hero backpack, Disney Cars themed folders.  As he entered 2nd grade, he started moving away from the themes and more to colors.  I loved this too because who doesn't love the green folder with the green themed notebook for the same subject?!  Coordination is the Type A person's dream.  Gabriel enjoyed finding as many different colors as he could. Picking out his backpack was a science:  he would compare each style and color weighing the pros and cons. I would patiently wait enjoying all the options and his mind processing it all.

Then came Third Grade. 

He picked out a black Adidas backpack complete with a laptop space, a bag more appropriate for college than 3rd grade.  I blamed his father.  

A paperbag was all he wanted on days he decided to pack his lunch.  A great joy was found in my heart on days I got to put soup in the Tranformers Thermos. 

Half way through the school year, Gabriel made a rule that I love yous had to be said before he opened the car door and all the windows had to be up.  What choice did I have?  I had to comply.  Some days he would say I love you back while standing on the parking lot pavement and shutting the door leading me to giggle at the rule breaking.

While in my naive mother mind,  I didn't think 3rd grade would be such a year of change, I definitely was not prepared for what would happen next.

Gabriel and I attended the "Getting Ready for 4th Grade" week long program at his school.  While I knew it would be a year of change and challenge, I didn't expect to be sitting in a school desk when my son's childhood would flash before my eyes.  That week Gabriel and I spoke a lot about 4th grade expections.  Gabriel understood that this may be his first year of real classroom challenge and he definitely understood the homework change.  "Mom, you will help me learn how to study, right?"  Gabriel asked as we went over how tests would work and that this year books would be coming home daily.  "Of course.  You are very smart this will be a good year for you, but it will be more work than before"  I replied.  Gabriel said he knew and he felt prepared. 

I felt like crying.

Which I did, a few weeks later while standing in Target.  By the school supply section.  Looking at an Angry Birds lunch box and a little girl carrying a Barbie bag.  I looked away only to see them:  the Disney Cars folders.  Stupid Mac and Sally, I thought, as I dried my eyes hurridly walking towards sporting goods.  I'd get erasable pens and reinforced college ruled paper later. 

About two weeks ago, Gabriel attended soccer camp at St. Ignatius High School.  As we were in the car talking about how camp went, he said "ya know, mom, St, Ignatius isn't that far away really.  I mean I am half way to high school now.  I will be there soon." he added, as he smiled.  I saw the excitement in his eyes, he really does like it there.

Today I sorted school supplies while thinking about how my child was right.  High school is around the corner.  My days of buying Disney Cars products are over.  My days of helping my child reach his full potential in school, are just really beginning. Thankfully, I layed a great foundation full of flashcards and awesome twist Crayola crayons.

My First Time

My first time on an airplane I was around 13.  My mom and step dad took my brother and I to Disney World.  My mom bought me an entire new summer wardrobe for the trip. I packed it all carefully, keeping all items for each day together - I was anal retentive even as a child.

We had taken vacations prior to this trip, but this was the first airport needed mode of transportation vacation.  As soon as I boarded, I was in love with air travel. My mom always said she can't take me anywhere without me seeing someone I know, and crossing state lines was no exception.  I saw a girl I knew from softball, Jessica something.  It was a great vacation, and the one where the phrase "you got a mouse in your pocket?" was coined by my step dad whenever my mom said "we".  My brother and I use this phrase to this day.

A little over a decade later, I had a child.  As I had written in my graduate school application essay, I needed to work hard in order to provide the same, let alone better, for my child.  I want him to experience all life has to offer and expand his boarders: his understanding of different cultures, his understanding of different socioeconomic settings.  I could write an entire blog about what I want for him. Maybe stay tuned for that one...or those five...

Yesterday, I booked our air travel for Gabriel's first trip via air.  We are going to San Diego.  We wanted to do something special for his10th birthday.  I can't believe he is 10 already. While he did not get a new wardrobe, he did get a new suitcase, a big kid suitcase - one he will hopefully use on many more airport needed vacations. I hope by 13, one he will earn a passport stamp for, a stamp from a country not on our continent.

Today, Gabriel and I were discussing our trip.  We broke out maps so he could see exactly where he was going.  We have a connecting flight in Atlanta, an airport I visit frequently, but a city I have never actually visited.  Gabriel asked if we could stay a night, and I said not this time, but in my head I was thinking what a great trip it would make, some day, a stop over on our way to my beloved Savannah.

Gabriel went on to play on the chalkboard that was mine when I was a child.  He is making a list of superpowers. If only he knew...he is my superpower, my motivation every day.