I had a rare afternoon yesterday when I was able to get out by myself. I headed over to a local Lakeshore Learning store to buy a few journals for our school year. I especially like their "Draw and Write" journals which have a blank area for a picture, then lined areas for writing. I picked up 2 of those, 2 writing prompt journals (simpler one for N,) 2 poetry journals and 2 reading log journals. I also picked up lots of paper! Zaner-Blose writing paper, 12x18 drawing paper and 8x12 colored construction paper. I spent just under $50, but we should be good for writing and drawing for the entire year!

On the way home, I stopped at Barnes & Noble for a reading comprehension book for C. He had one last year at a 3rd grade level that he really enjoyed working in, so I picked up the 4th grade level. I also picked up a phonics workbook for N. At under $4 each, they're a pretty good value.

I picked up the last 3-pack of unlined moleskine notebooks there, too! I love these for nature journals. The ones we used for the last 2 years were full and it was time to replace them. These notebooks are so light and easy to carry -- plus they are a great size for the boys to record the nature around them. We use the ones that are 5x8 with a cardboard cover.

I need to place my CHC order and then we're ready for the year!