Getting ready for Back to School

One included an annual trip to Freeport, ME, the home of LLBean. And while our purchase was larger than I need to share, a few highlights are in need.
Carson had outgrown last years’ bean jacket, which was hand-me-downed to Wes. So we started our shopping in need of a new windbreaker, and Carson selected the Casco Bay Jacket in red, a bit big, but it’ll fit him for at least a year.. And while I grabbed a few Double L Polos and Nana gathered vests as holiday gifts, the highlight of our Bean’s shopping was a backpack for big-boy school!
LLBean has a lifetime warranty that STILL hasn’t been necessary for my seventh grade backpack (21 years later, after middle school, high school, college… and beyond.) Our nearly-5-year-old tried on many bags, settling on the Junior Original Book Pack (nearly a replica of mine) — which made him such a big kid that it brought tears to Nana’s eyes, and a lump in my throat. The bag, measuring 14½”H x 11″W x 6″D, has a deep front pocket and the pack area is large enough to include his daily folder, artwork and a lunchbag. Both zipper shut. The padded shoulder pads sits comfortably on his shoulders, with enough growning room for this bag to fit well beyond the time that hard backed books will be coming home with homework assignments.
Because we have the LLBean VISA, the bag was personalized with his initials for free, and we added a coordinating insulated lunch box–beyond large enough to fit his daily needs. And no waiting for personalization was necessary. Another perk to the card, in addition to points and coupons, everything ships free. So, we left, with many packages heading towards home. And a few bags of clothing, gifts and can’t resist maple syrup candy, to smush into the car.
Of course, due to LLBean’s speedy service, the packages were all waiting for us at our door when we returned.