Weekend Review: Back To School Shopping/ Visit With Nana And Pa-Pa/ First Day Of School

This weekend the kids, The Husband, and I headed to Atlantic Station. This was the last weekend of their summer vacation. So the goal this weekend was to do some back to school shopping and have some fun while we do it. We headed off to Atlantic Station. I read about a Back To School Bash Event being hosted by Radio Disney on the blog Yeah Let’s Go! Atlanta. I wanted to go check it out so off we went.

We got to the event a little early so we walked around. I love Atlantic Station. I enjoy walking around there. One of the things I really wanted to do but we didn’t get a chance to do was check out the new playground that I heard about. Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to. We played some of the games that were there. The kids got a little bored after a while so we headed off to do some shopping. The great part of this shopping trip was we only spent $10.43 on the kids clothes thanks to Viggle and Kita of the blog Say What U Wanna. These two combine made for an awesome and affordable shopping trip. We started our shopping trip at Old Navy the kids were able to get a total of 2 pairs of pants and 3 shirts each after The Husband and I traded in Viggle points for a total of $75 worth of Old Navy gift cards. I turned in 50,000 points and The Husband turned in 100,000 points. The kids were thrilled with their purchases. This is where we had our $10.43. We had a few extra items but it was okay since we weren’t spending a ton of money. After Old navy we headed to DD’s discounts to use a $50 giftcard that I won from Kita of the blog Say What U Wanna. Thanks Girl!! That card helped out a lot. The kids were able to get two more pairs of pants and more shirts. This time there was no overage. All in all it was a great day of shopping. I was thoroughly happy with the results.

After that we still weren’t ready to go home. The Husband surprised me and drove to my parents house. We hadn’t been to their house in months. I was so thrilled to see my parents and so was Princess S and Private J. We were even more happy when we found out that my brother and his kids were their as well cause we hadn’t seen them in a few months either. We sat around and talked. It was so much fun. I always enjoy visiting my parents. I love being around family. I enjoy the time when we go see my parents because they live 45 minutes away and with the price of gas we don’t get to visit very often. After that we headed home. It was all in all a great day. Sunday was spent preparing for the first day of school.

Yesterday was the first day of school for my kiddos. They were excited. Private J was a bit nervous because it was his first day of middle school. I told him that he kind of had an advantage because he went to two schools and both schools go to the same middle school that more than likely he would know a lot more people. It can be daunting to move up in school, but as long as you have done your research and checked out the best ones in your catchment area, e.g. middle schools in the Bronx, then you will find the best for your child, and I know Private J will find his feet in this new school, it just takes some time. The night before and actually all summer we talked to the kids about what we expect from them and what we want to be different from last year. We let them know that both of them are in different ball games. For Private J things will get a little tougher and his teachers will expect more ad so will we. He will have to grow up some more. With Princess S we reminded her that this is her last year of middle school that this year is really crucial for her as far as her moving on to the next grade. Basically, we told them that we expect more of them this year and let them know that our expectations are the same but they are going to have to began to make sure they meet them on their own. We will always be there for them but their work is their own and they have to take on more of the responsibilities to make sure they get work done. They are to the point now that they know what is expected of them and we expect them to carry it out.

The Husband has a tradition with them where he takes them in for the first day. He hasn’t missed a year. The kids love it. So he drops them off and I pick them up. I couldn’t wait to hear about their day. When I picked them up from the bus stop I was ready to hear about their day. They were disappointed to have homework but they were happy to see some of their friends. From what I heard they had an all out good day. Of course they came home with a gazillion papers for me to sign. I can’t wait to see where this school year heads. I’m excited to find out.