It’s the time of year that many people are dreading, back to school and back to crazy schedules. While I daydream of having the summers off, my schedule doesn’t change much at all. But I am amazed that each and every year, I am reminded of the fun of back to school shopping. Remember Sanrio Surprises? The “Hello Kitty Store,” as my dad affectionately called it. It was the equivalent of a three day shopping trip in my world today. I absolutely wanted everything in the store, including the overpriced circular suckers on the thin clear plastic sticks. (Why were those $3 in the 80′s?? Was sugar hard to come by back then… just playing.) The only thing I had to do was decide what I was going to “need” for the school year. Each year I got a new pencil box, backpack, and lunch box…yes, I realize I was spoiled, but then again I am the baby in the family.

While, it’s been quite a few years since I got to pick out new stuff for the upcoming school year, I can still smell the erasers. Their smell is unique and there is just something nice about starting fresh for the year. I still remember lining up my new pencils and if I was lucky I would have a few new Lisa Frank pocket folders to stick in my new bag. So hopefully if you are rushing around getting everything for the children in your household, you will take a moment and remember that you are in the midst of making memories. And maybe not all your children will be nostalgic like me, but maybe there are some young “paper product lovers” out there just getting ready to embark on their elementary school years.