Going to School

I am sure for most parents, the sticker shock of school registration, uniforms, and supplies is something that you get used to over time. I don't want to hear "Just wait until they get into elementary middle school high school college!" but I gotta say, this one felt like a labor of love and was an educational introduction to school, as I will know it be from here on out. I dutifully paid my fees to the school in exchange for a two page list of supplies each child needs to have. Considering my recent success with grease, I was up for the challenge of checking off the list. After two days of feeling stoned from all the fluorescent store lighting and being overstimulated from the business and roar of our local flea market, I finished!

Schools these days. They don't mess around. Amongst searching for things like puppets, hula hoops and very specific elastic blue plastic folders, I was also in need of roller paint brushes, play dough and memory games. Plus party supplies and of course books. Veterans of Brazil said stuff was expensive here, and for the most part they are right. So out of curiosity I decided to do some price comparisons inspired by The New Diplomat's Wife who showcases a few similar products within Denmark and the United States.  

For example Margo needed a backpack. I perused and found:

Brazil: 250.00 Reais = 105.90 USD
US: $25.00

Needless to say I decided she could use my existing messenger bag until our boxes arrive. I also felt very thirsty. That led me to wanting to drink a fine sour beer...

Brazil: 52.90 Reais = 22.41 USD
Europe: 4.30 Euro = 5.54 USD
US: 15.00

Ok- so maybe I bought the beer anyway. To be fair, I didn't drink it because it's Mark's "Welcome to Brazil" housewarming gift. Instead, I stayed the course and bought all of this instead: 

Grand total: 498.80 Reais = 211.74 USD
With haggling. 

I am not complaining one bit. In fact- I am grateful because our children are fortunate to have a great education and opportunity. Mark works very hard to provide for them and so far they love school. According to Deets they have "the coolest airplane collection ever" and he likes riding the bus like the big kids. Margo? Not so much. Once the fervor dies down I am told she enjoys music and dancing. She even gets a shower every day before coming home. It happens to be one of her favorite things (next to running around naked of course.)   

I'm not sure of hot pink shirts are allowed, but I had to pick my battle. 

Waiting for the bus. Margo's holding a bottle opener ready to help.