I take them CLOTHES and backpack/lunchbox shopping, but this year I seriously am thinking of going to buy the supplies ALONE! It stresses me out to be searching for the million things on each of their lists, (and this year, I only have FOUR lists!) keeping up with what the kids are doing (or what they are adding to the buggy!!), AND fighting crowds at the same time. I think I am just going to get dh to stay at home with them on Saturday while I run to WalMart, Office Depot, etc. all by myself!! Then, I can bring them back to pick out the other stuff on another day...a day Mom is not so frazzled! LOL

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Clothes and backpack shopping is a must that they have to come with-clothes especially since it seems they're growing fast than we can keep up with! When I'm shopping for school supplies, I usually bring them with me. I try to hit WalMart and Target early in the morning before the 'big' crowds get there to get their supplies. My kids lists are pretty specific-this many green folders or this many blue notebooks, so it makes it pretty simple what they can and can't have.

this is the first year i will have to take a kid with me...ds has grown so much he will have to try pants on.
for supplies themselves...NO i do NOT take my kids!!!!!..they stay at home.....

the stores are insane enough without them there too.

thi year I will probaby get them there school supplies when they are at gymnastis (I do my target run at that time since they are there for 2.5 hours)
plus I will need to get things done earlier to make sure since I need to be prepared just in case this baby comes early!

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http://tickers.bump-and-beyond.com/34/3431/343117.png

For the basic essentials no they don't come with, but for backpacks, lunchboxes and clothes they do.

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for clothes yes for supplies no since they have a specific list and can't have fancy folders in such its no biggy.

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SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

I don't do back to school clothes shopping and actually, I rarely have them with me in general when I buy them clothes. I've lucked out in that I rarely have to return things. I just buy all year round. We don't have school specific clothing. My kids are really good about their clothing, they don't get them ripped, stained or ruined so anything they own is school appropriate.

I do take them with me for supply shopping...they like it and want to participate! It's a fun tradition in August for us.

As soon as my kids could read, I gave THEM the list and we stuck together in the store. Each child had their own basket located in the cart to add their things to as they saw them on the shelves. They marked off the list what they found and I'd help along the way as well.
This made it an adventure, a learning experience, and it made them VERY excited about going back to school!
Good luck!

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I do it myself. Maybe when ds is older and enjoys that kind of thing (I used to LOVE getting school supplies when I was about 9 or so) but right now ds is 6.5 and really doesn't give a hoot.

If they need new backpacks they pick them out.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24