Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books

Last year when my son started kindergarten, my husband and I spent an afternoon with him eating lunch and shopping for school supplies.  It was just the three of us and it was a very special day.  We even let my son choose the restaurant.  The whole afternoon revolved around conversations with him and no interruptions from siblings!

This year we decided to do the same thing.  I think it is becoming tradition!  We spent last night eating dinner at the restaurant of my son's choice, shopping for school supplies, and looking for new school clothes.

My six year old was talking about this special night all week!  In a house with three kids, there are not many times when he gets mom and dad to himself, so he made sure he enjoyed every second of it!

On the way to the store, he was excited to have a new backpack to fill with school supplies.

He ordered macaroni and cheese at one of his favorite places to eat.  

He picked out some school supplies, 

but seemed more excited to fill up the cart with pudding!

We ended our evening out with some ice cream.

Now that his backpack is filled with supplies, we are as prepared for first grade as we can be.  The next night out will be with our three year old for his preschool supplies!

After our night of shopping, I chose to read the book Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books by Diane deGroat with my six year old.  Although this book was in our Back to School Book Basket`, I had never read it!  I am so glad I did because it was the perfect story for my son!

In Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books, a little possum named Gilbert is getting ready for first grade while his sister, Lola, gets ready for preschool.  The story follows Gilbert as he walks to school with his friend, meets his new teacher, doesn't know where to sit at lunch, and makes a new friend.  I really loved this book after reading it and can't wait to find others by Diane deGroat in the library.  Best of all, the book mentions the book Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel, and when we were done reading my six year old was anxious for me to take The Adventures of Frog and Toad off of the shelf so he could read the book that Gilbert read.

I think we will be reading this book many times before school starts, and maybe even after!  Be sure to check out Diane deGroat's website for some adorable coloring pages that go with this book and others in Gilbert's series!