Every year, without fail, I have found myself scrambling the first few days of school picking up supplies. The first year was a container to include all of her lunch in with one lid only please. The second year it was a 1 1/2 inch binder with a clear plastic front- in the color white only please. This year, it's been a conglomeration of empty containers. An empty Pringles can for a time capsule? Oh, all right... like I can't eat a can of Pringles in a single sitting. An empty Capri Sun box. Ummmmm......would a shoe box work? We like Capri Sun boxes to keep them uniform, I was told. The kids create an "All about Me" box ; which is just a gift wrapped box with pictures, stickers, etc., and these are then wrapped in clear contact paper to become the boxes for the building block corner. Gotcha.
Oh, yes, and also, we like the kids to learn to do things for themselves this year, because next year in kindergarten you don't want to find out that your child is thirsty because they can't put the straw in their juice drink. Hmmmmm... Am I supposed to be sending juice drinks? Is that what all the other kids are getting? Is my child deprived? I've never bought juice drinks for my kids. Not because I'm diametrically opposed to them, we've had them at parties and such, but I'm frankly to cheap to spend the money on them, too lazy to add them to my shopping list, and would prefer not to add the packaging to the landfill. But, I'm not going rock the boat over this one, so off I go to purchase some Capri Suns. I'll send them for special treats every now and again. I have also decided that if my child doesn't master the "dull dart at over-filled juice package" game, I'm okay with that. I haven't either, and I have a degree from an orange university.
In addition, I've been told that all the children need two drinks sent to school every day. Another problem. See, I've had the same THREE Nalgene Grip n Gulps for Mad since age 1. They've been great, are a breeze to wash, and outside of beaver teeth, have held up beautifully. But, they are technically a no-spill cup and I was a little embarassed to send her to school with these. I could hear all the teachers saying, "Ah, the poor little girl, no juice boxes AND still drinking from a sippy cup. We'll need to schedule a conference!" All of my own insecurities re-incarnated in my child's school days.
See the non-beaver version below.
(Sara's of course)
I had to get at least one more drink container,
and then I remembered that replacement lids are sold for Nalgene products.
Surely I could just buy some of those?
Perhaps lengthen the life of our beloved grip n gulps?
Help my Fab 5 save face amongst her juice box buddies?
My dear husband ran around to the local outdoors stores and found a copious amount of water bottles at River Sports on Sutherland (for you locals).
He bought the Camelbak for a $1 (I think it was a loner) and the Nalgene lid for $2.50.
Both were a perfect fit.
Bring it on Kindergarten!! This Fab 5 is ready!
