Back to School

The distinct scent of a freshly-opened box of crayons sends me hurdling down memory lane to my early childhood years.  I love this time of year–when most school supplies are dirt cheap, and we can stock up on arts and craft goods for the year.

An additional bonus is that August 5th – 7th marks a tax-free holiday on school supplies and clothing in the state of Virginia.  Check out the Virginia Department of Taxation website for more details.

With my preschooler, we have fun cutting out pictures in magazines and pasting them on construction paper or creating personalized cards.  With a handful of other fun crafty items from dollar stores, we can make anything we imagine!  Mostly, we imagine foam whales and sharks with google eyes . . . but, the possibilities are endless.  My son loves to draw monsters and dinosaurs with Pip-Squeaks Markers by Crayola–they’re stubby and short–perfect for little hands.

What are your favorite school supplies?

What crafts or activities do you enjoy creating with your child?

For older children and adults, don’t miss this post from Spinal Health & Wellness on backpack safety–before you purchase that backpack!

Although we’d planned to homeschool preschool our son for the upcoming year (in other words, keep on doing what we’re doing without significant family schedule changes)–those plans all flew out the window at the end of last week, when we learned that our church’s preschool had a sudden opening for our son.

Also–my husband is going back to school for a more advanced master’s degree.

In September, we’ll have not one, but two members of our little trio family going to school. So, we’re thinking a little more seriously about back to school purchases.

DIGS

Umi Shoes introduces great new shoe styles for kids each fall.  My son’s enjoying the chocolate colored Reeves boot that’s great for girls or boys sent to us for review from Umi.

The flexible rubber sole is great for his developing feet, and the leather upper looks great after a refreshing circuit through the playground.  With the elastic around the ankles, my almost four year-old can slip the boots on by himself.

I think he looks pretty spiffy all dressed up in his boots (with the tangerine bow tie I whipped up for him).

Exclusive to Traveling with Baby readers, Umi Shoes offers 15% off any purchase at UmiShoes.com plus FREE Shipping and Returns! Use code Link15 at checkout!

WIN IT!

One (1) lucky reader will win his or her choice of a pair of shoes from Umi. To enter, visit UmiShoes.com, and leave a comment about which style and size shoes you’d prefer. This giveaway is provided by Umi Shoes, and it is open to participants with a U.S. shipping address.  The giveaway ends on September 1st at 11:59 P.M. (EST).  One winner will be selected via random.org and notified on this post and via e-mail after September 1st, 2011.

GROOVE

So excited that Chris Ballew of Caspar Babypants has released his fourth album under the Babypants label with–Sing Along!  It’s Americana and African Folk rollicking with mod licks and grooves.  ”Weird” Al Yankovic brings his accordion to “Long Long Dream” while Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam played the bongos on several songs in the album.

The crafty cover was designed by Ballew’s wife and collage artist Kate Endle–with whom he’s co-authoring two children’s books out next month.

Living in Virginia, we appreciate the nod to appalachian music that is so hearty and full of hope and soul in Sing Along! Not only will you and your little ones croon along to the catchy and familiar tunes, but soon you’ll find yourself dancing a spontaneous jig and twirling the do-si-do in your living room.

After listening to 46 minutes of Sing Along! twice in a row, my son convinced me to let him run the (once forbidden to touch) CD player whenever he’s in the mood for music.  About every other time a CD is played, he selects Sing Along!

Get your copy of Caspar Babypants Sing Along! due on August 16th, 2011.  The full album ($12) or downloads ($8) will be available for purchase on Babypantsmusic.com.