I’ll be honest. I’m not usually a fan of the summer holidays. Last year I ended up working every evening after IJ had gone to bed and it was an exhausting and stressful six weeks. The day the school reopened I went to bed for the day.
This year it’s been brilliant. I’ve loved every minute of having her at home. And because we decided to go with the flow for once, we ended up doing so much more than we would have done if I’d tried to draw up some sort of schedule.
The difference this year is that I took most of the summer off. This month is going to be incredibly busy so I’ve enjoyed a brief period of relaxation and we’ve both benefitted from it.
We visited good friends, holidayed with family, spent the night on a yacht, LolliBopped, took a trip on the London Eye and built a den in Sherwood Forest. All in all, it’s the best summer we’ve had in years.
I’ve been so relaxed in fact that it came as a shock to discover that the schools reopen tomorrow. Apart from buying school shoes in early August (I’m not exactly sure why), I’m been totally disorganised.
No name labels have been sown on, I’m not sure where IJ’s PE kit bag is and I haven’t seen her tie for over six weeks. It’s much the same as the situation we found ourselves in this time last year.
Thankfully there are some items IJ does have after Tesco kindly delivered a box of goodies to our door, the favourite of which is this fabulous school coat.
IJ loves it and has been insisting on wearing it in all weathers since it arrived. I’m impressed with the quality and I have to admit I’d never considered buying a school coat in Tesco before. I didn’t even know they sold them.
The rest of the uniform is great too. I’m also surprised at how cheap they are – £4 for a cardigan, £5 for a pinafore, £18 for a coat, and £12.50 for a pair of school shoes. I’ve never seen school uniform this cheap but the quality seems to be very good. Obviously they haven’t been put through the wash yet but I’m confident we won’t have any problems.
And because a large parcel that just contains school uniform can be quite disappointing when you’re nine, Tesco also sent some paint, a space hopper and Plasticine too.
In about five days’ time I’ll be able to tell you if this stuff washes off and if their school uniform range really is as good as it seems. I suspect it is.
And on the subject of Tesco and all things parenting related, there’s still time to nominate an inspirational mum in the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards 2013. Simply head over to the Tesco Magazine website for full details. You have until 21st September 2012 to nominate someone special to you.
Disclosure: Tesco kindly sent us a selection of uniform from their Back to School catalogue for the purpose of this post. I am also an official blogger for the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards 2013.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love those shoes and the coat. I have to admit that I went to sleep for 2hours in the middle of the day on DD’s first full day at kindergarten last week. I’m finding quite hard to get back into the swing of working though.
They are great aren’t they. We’re really impressed with them. IJ won’t take the coat off! I think it’s going to take me some time to get back into the swing of things too. I doubt much will be achieved tomorrow, and I’ll miss her.
Loving the coat! Very grown up indeed. We buy school uniform in Tescos as our school isn’t that strict about logos etc and it does last well. Great value I’d say! And as for a stressful summer holidays, well let’s just say I’m happy with the peace and quiet today!
The coat is fabulous, Jen. We’re really impressed with it and everyone has admired it. I agree, great value, and you don’t have to worry about them losing a cardigan now because you haven’t paid an absolute fortune for it. I have to say I’m enjoying the peace and quiet too!