Air-Brushing Up for School

Backpacks are a very important decision in this house. This is partly because it is the first time my children are going to be responsible for the transportation of their own belongings to and from school. It is also a way to demonstrate their personality, amidst a sea of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, or Frozen paraphernalia. I guess, what I am really trying to say, is that for Bryce, at least, this is their first experience carrying a handbag or purse, and that in and of itself is a milestone, in my opinion.

I fell in love with these bags when my sister-in-law took one on the plane for her son as a carry-on. It was black with a skull emblem air-brushed across the front, and his name generously displayed on top. It was not too serious, which made it appropriate for a child, but still a bit mature and edgy, which made it a long lasting (and not too pricey) investment.

After my obsessive display of affection for this bag, including trying to carry it around myself, she gifted them to Bryce and Brody for their first birthday. The company is based out of Buffalo Grove, Illinois but willing to ship on short notice, and what I love most about their designs is that they will basically do anything to accommodate the child (or adult’s) interests – including characters, themes, sparkles and crystals if you have a daughter like mine, and very specific color schemes if there is a particular team or event you are targeting.

In addition to being Bryce and Brody’s camp and school backpacks this year, they are also my go-to first birthday gift for just about all my friends. It has been great to match up the bags with the passions of both the children, and the parents. They are big enough to schlep towels and clothing to the beach, or books and lunch boxes to and from the classroom. They may be the size of my children right now, but they happily drag them down the hallway to the classroom each day, and they look nice clipped to my stroller during our morning commute.