Do you remember that old Staples ad? It was a back-to-school ad that showed a parent gleefully throwing school supplies into a cart with two glum children following along behind them. While I’m not thrilled with the glum child aspect, I still think the ad was amusing. Take a peek to refresh your memory!

I’m pretty sure I look a bit like that parent whenever I am shopping for office supplies. I’m not sending any children off to school these days, but I’m an office supply addict! Pens, folders, notebooks? They’re my jam!

So, last week, with great anticipation, I went to Staples for the first time this summer. I walked in feeling the excitement grow. What would I find this year? I lingered in the aisles, picking up and putting down various items. Considering this. Considering that. I kept Investigating all my options. Black pens? Blue pens? Red pens? … All!!! I dumped multiple packages into my cart.

Next, I debated about crayons. I don’t usually have individual crayon boxes, but I’d been considering it. They were on sale… I did the math. I could always add them to the community bin if I didn’t want to use them individually. Decision made! Twenty boxes of crayons were added to my growing pile.

After making many more decisions, changing my mind, trying to remember what I’d already ordered, reconsidering, adding, removing, etc., I finally made my way to the counter to pay. I piled up my tower of crayon boxes alongside the other items.

“Whoa! That’s a lot of crayons!” a small voice piped up from behind me.

I turned from the counter to see a wide-eyed young boy, standing next to his grandmother.

“Are those all for you?!” he asked, eyes bulging.

“No,” I smiled at him. “I’m a teacher and these are for my classroom. Are you getting ready to go to school, too?”

He nodded, holding tightly onto his own teetering tower of supplies. “I’m in precool.”

“You were in preschool last year,” his grandmother corrected. “This year, you’ll be in Kindergarten.”

“I’m gonna be in Kindergarten,” he said.

“Oh,” I said. “I teach second grade. But Kindergarten is pretty awesome! Are you excited?”

“Yes,” he nodded enthusiastically.

After a moment, he looked up at me again. “Will you be there?”

Kids and office supplies…best combo ever! No wonder I love being a teacher! 🙂