I wrapped up my annual back to school tradition with my kids this past week. Every year I try to take them individually for back to school shopping. It is one of my favorite times of year as I spend quality time with each of them doing what they want. We go to the stores they want to go to and eat lunch where they pick. It always amazes me how different they all are and what they are most excited about at the end of the day. Shaila definitely had different needs this year as she looks towards her second year in college. She didn’t need a whole lot and really enjoyed hitting Plato’s Closet to find some great bargains. Jacob was the most excited about a new bag he got for football. Andrew really didn’t care that much about clothes but was super excited to get pretzel bites from the mall. Maleigha enjoyed that the day was all about her.
One thing for sure that was different this year for the annual back to school shopping trip was wearing masks where ever we went. It really wasn’t difficult for my kids to adapt to as it is the expectation in our house. However, the younger ones haven’t really been anywhere for months so to wear a mask all day was a little different. It was nice to be able to carry on with our traditions even if modified to give us some much needed normalcy in our lives. I’ve had several conversations this past week about how the last five months have been very chaotic and we are all missing the sense of normalcy in our lives. We need to have opportunities to find joy and happiness in our lives. Although that may feel difficult right now, it can be the smallest things that make your day. Your challenge this week is to find something that brings you joy or makes you feel “normal” and go do it. Your soul will thank you for it.
