The smell of construction paper, Elmer’s glue and freshly sharpened No. 2 pencils still give Bag Lady and Shopping Siren butterflies.

Maybe it’s an ingrained, knee-jerk response after 13 years of public school and four years of college each. Maybe it’s the hype surrounding back-to-school sales.

Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s still summer. Because we are so not ready yet for fall. Or snow. Definitely not ready for snow.

But those butterflies remain, a fluttery-excited feeling that says something between “New beginning!” and “Ooh, pretty crayons!” There’s no ignoring it. Especially when we’re in Oxford for Oxford Road Trip II: The Return.

New Balance Factory Store, Ocean State Job Lot and Walgreens, here we come.

Winter, you stay back.

* Enchantmints’ “Breman Town Musicians” metal lunchbox, Ocean State Job Lot, $5

Old school lunchbox with an older-school theme: a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. With all the charm and detail of a 1950s children’s book illustration, this depicts two scenes from the story about an unwanted donkey, dog, cat and rooster who travel to Breman to be musicians. Not Shopping Siren’s beloved Disney lunchbox, but it’ll do. Bag Lady considers herself schooled; she’d never heard the tale.

* Cool Gear EZ-Freeze 16-ounce bottle, Ocean State Job Lot, $2

This squishy, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe bottle has a freezable core to keep drinks cold, even during the warmest of school days. The fact that they come in cool, kid-friendly colors that might entice your little one to drink from it during lunch and not have, say, a boring old soda? Even better.

* New Balance kids’ running shoes, style KU572BBG, various sizes, New Balance Factory Store, $29.99

Black and blue running shoes that look pretty standard until you notice those laces don’t tie at the ends. They Velcro! So you get the convenience/ease of Velcro without its dorkiness. Whoever invented this deserves a medal. 

* Assorted child’s backpacks, Ocean State Job Lot, $7

In skulls and a tattoo pattern with the word “love” or in sporty lime green and aqua blue with pockets and mesh pouches galore. SS would go for the sporty, BL for the skulls and tattoos. Diversity, it’s what makes the world go ’round.

* Crayola dry-erase crayons, 8-pack, Walgreens, $3.99

What we love about this column: always finding something new. We had no idea these existed.

Pair with:

* Doodle Time dry-erase learning books, Walgreens, $1

Oh, the paper you’ll save! But if you need a paper fix …

* Construction paper by Maybe, 96 sheets, Walgreens, $1.59

For cutting out jack-o’-lanterns, drawing Thanksgiving turkeys and making Valentine’s Day cards. We’re doubtful you could muddle through a school year without it.

* Bert and Ernie sneakers, New Balance Factory Store, $10

These were all over the discount bins in a range of kid sizes and bright primary colors. We spotted one pair with Super Grover for $20. No surprise there’s a premium for Super Grover. He’s so worth it.

* “The Night Before Big School,” written by E.J. Sullivan and illustrated by Donna Catanese, Walgreens, 2/$8

Adorable storybook with darling illustrations. SS was annoyed the story “borrowed” liberally from “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” BL was willing to cut them some slack.

BL: It’s a kid’s book! It’ll make them smile.

SS: It’s ripping off a classic! The author should be ashamed.

Clearly, you don’t want to get in a literary tangle with Shopping Siren.

* Magnetic locker wallpaper, pack of three sheets, Ocean State Job Lot, $5

Where were you, magnetic locker wallpaper, when we could have lined our lockers with pink camo, flowers or leopard print without invoking the anti-sticker wrath of the administration? It’s like our version of walking five miles to school, uphill, both ways. When we were your age, we didn’t have fancy magnets, no sir.

* Brite Write highlighters, 30 pack, Ocean State Job Lot, $10

A lifetime supply. Really. Twelve “pocket” size, 6 “mini on the go” and 12 “deskpro.”

Best find: Leenie kids’ insulated lunch bag, Walgreens, $3.75

Thin and round, in dog face or monkey with little floppy ears. Floppy ears! OMG.

Think twice: Big Flats 1901 beer, six-pack, Walgreens, $3.49

We couldn’t help but question the prominent display of a 4-foot-high pallet of sale beer located smack in the middle of the back-to-school shopping section. We imagine an exchange that goes something like:

Mommy, why’s that here?

I don’t know, Jimmy. (Whisper to husband) Grab a six pack. School’s almost here. Let’s celebrate!

Bag Lady and Shopping Siren’s true identities are protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who barely remember obedience school. Sadly, it shows.) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach them at baglady@sunjournal.com and shoppingsiren@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link