Shoes and clothes and school supplies--oh, my!

Today I bought went school shopping for my 4-year-old, who starts Pre-K in one week. I can't tell you how envious I am of her supplies list, awesome new shoes, and carefree disregard for my opinion on what is cool/pretty/appropriate. Yes, already we disagree on aesthetics, which means that by middle school I will have very little fight left in me for the "you're not wearing that" argument. Clearly, The Girl is a forward-thinking visionary. One with a really 80s-looking pair of tennis shoes, because I lost that argument.

As I wandered through the store, trying to find a four-pack of Play-Doh and an appropriate-size container of glitter, I tried to remember what I had to have for school all those many, many, many, many years ago. All I came up with was a) not glitter, b) definitely not Play-Doh, and c) eight crayons. Therefore, I conclude that school is far more entertaining than it was when I was there, and I demand a redo. I want to go! It sounds a heck of a lot more fun than doing laundry, paying bills, and making dinner.

On the other hand, the up-side to not being allowed in is a three-hour break from saying, "don't do that," cleaning up juice spills, and being thisclose to going insane. I think that's probably why we have Pre-K now, because I don't remember hearing about it when I was younger, and I'm fairly certain my mom would have packed me up and sent me on my precocious way had it been available. Whatever the reason, I am thankful for Pre-K, glad that glitter is on the official supplies list, and still a teensy bit envious that I can't sit in a couple times a week.