Out of Josh's LLBean bookbag and lunchbox, lol.

It is in perfect condition-- nothing wrong with it at all. The lunchbox needs washed out really well, and it's going to be fine too I think. They both have a small, embroidered lizard on it, so I'm guessing that first grade might be the last year that'll be acceptable. Grrr...

Matthew is going on year 3 with his bookbag and lunchbox. He has a critter lunchbox with a racoon on it and a camoflague bookbag. They match nicely.

When the critter packs were being discontinued, I bout Brady a backpack and lunchbox for a verrrry discounted price. I think he was a newborn. They're sitting in the closet all shiny and new.

What type of bookbag to second graders want? The kind that velcroes across the shouder? I am definitely getting an LL Bean one again, probably in some boring color. I want to watch for sales though.

We are required to have Mesh here. All of my kids have Nike brand and this is the 2nd year using them. Bright orange for Braedon , Blue for Brent and Pink for Brooke.

I am upset with myself and the kids. Last year we bought really nice thermos bottles that they are required to fill daily with water (hot here) and they all picked them out - Braedon - Star Wars, Brent - Iron Man, Brooke - iCarly. WELLLLLL this year that is so not cool so no one wanted to use them. They are perfectly fine and work wonderful. In fact you can put ice in it and water and leave in the 100+ temp car all day and come back and there is still ice in it. But I had to fork out $60 for new ones this year but I was smart and insisted on plain colors no character junk.

Mesh? I can understand not wanting something like wheels but why do they care what the bookbags are made of?

Too bad about the thermos bottles - I hate when that sort of thing happens!

Did you guys know you can wash backpacks and lunchbags in the washer? I'll spray the spots and put them in with a load of towels and hang them to dry.

The rules for the girls bookbags are no wheels and have to be big enough to fit a folder in it.

Kaitlyn used the same one last yr when she started preschool. Since Nicole just started last year, she couldve gotten away of using the same one, but my MIL bought both girls new ones this year...

Most of the kids in school use either LL Bean or Landsend backpacks and usually the traditional back packs. A few of the upper elementary girls use the messenger bags but not many.

I got each of the kids those "preschool-kindergarten" size back packs from Landsend and last year Ilijana outgrew hers mid-way through the year. I found a nice LL Bean one on sale and let her use it the rest of the year.

Of course Milo wanted a new one two, but I told him he had to wait until 2nd grade just like Ilijana did. LOL! So next year I'll have to get him a new one.

Those back packs are really strong, so unless it just is too small, or not cool anymore I don't think I'll need to buy another one for a long while.

I get upset with the character stuff too. I allow folders and other cheap stuff to be character. Anything big or costly and I'm not going for it.

The one exception was a Hello Kitty lunchbox Ilijana wanted for her birthday 2 years ago. She still loves that thing. I figure Hello Kitty was popular when i was a kid, is popular with a lot of little ones and teens, so it has some staying power. LOL!