When School Supplies Offend

So my kids went back to school on Monday. August 4th. So early, don't you think?

July 31st was my last night in the States. Where do you think I was? Spending the last few hours with family, looking out over the beautiful mountain view as we sipped lemonade on my in-laws' porch?

Nope.

I was at Target, frantically shopping, of course. And I'm not too proud to admit that as I was jamming my rental car's teeny trunk full of things I can't possibly live without, I was crying. I just don't know that you can fully appreciate Target without living without it 11 months of the year. Maybe you can.

Anyway, my last trip was dedicated to foodstuffs and school supplies. Margarita's list had on it "4-ring binder". I had only heard of a 3-ring binder, so I figured it was a typo and purchased her the 3-ring binder of her choice at a cost of $5.99.

When she got to class on Monday, it turns out that, sure enough, there is a 4-ring binder and she must have it unless she wants to be punching holes all year. So, we head off to the local papeleria (paper products store) where I purchase 5 dollar roles of scotch tape when I am desperate. She tells me that's where all the kids in her class bought theirs.

The cool one, the one that "everyone" has, costs guess how much? Just take a stab in the dark.

If you said $75.00 USD you are correct!!! (I'll have you know there is nothing special about this notebook-it would cost MAYBE $10.00 in the States. MAYBE.)

The less cool, but still acceptable, 4-ring binder will set you back $60.00 USD.

And then there was a junky plastic one that Margaritia obviously didn't want that cost $10.00 USD.

Guess which one she got?

Yep. The cheap plastic one. I have to give her credit though, she didn't even complain. She's a good girl.

(oh, and one other thing, I bought a stupid toothbrush today for $7.00. Ouch.)

Target withdrawals are painful... (and expensive)