A friend wrote on her Facebook wall something along the lines of, "I love my kids dearly but are the holidays over yet?" 

I heard her truth. Oh, I heard it loud and clear.

#gothefucktoschool

We're all feeling it. Well, most of us.

I am feeling it.

And though much of my desire for the school year to begin is selfishly motivated, I do think it's an exciting time for families.

This year, Luca heads into Grade 1 which is significant for the fact that he and his friends are no longer the adorable newbies. New teacher, a different mix of students in the class and more expected of my little guy as he ramps up his academic education. I can't wait to watch him grow and flourish as he did last year. 

And for Ziggy, 4-year-old kindergarten (preschool) begins. Like his brother, Zig will have new teachers to guide him through a program that has longer hours and a greater emphasis on structured learning than the 3-year-old program he attended last year. This year will prepare my little guy for big school.

And while my boys are busy learning, I get to enjoy some one on one hang time with my girl.

I really feel like we're standing on the precipice of an incredible year, full of promise, the starting point of a crazy adventure.

Our little family is growing up and I am embracing those changes.

The new school year also brings with it new stuff. As a young girl, I remember choosing and preparing supplies for the year ahead. Pink back packs with that unmistakable new plastic smell and shiny new lunch boxes. Carefully writing my name in black marker, personalising with stickers of Bros and Debbie Gibson.

It's possible I have said too much. It is possible I am getting old. 

It was certainly a simpler time choosing school supplies way back then. I guess you went to the supermarket and the newsagent and chose from what was available. Now, the options are endless.

In a world of choice, Stuck On You offers a simple and straightforward online service with some of what I think are the cutest designs around. Last year, I got their labels and they have been brilliant. Luca, being a little tack, will continue to wear his uniform from last year and I'm thrilled to find the labels don't require replacing. 

This year, we sorted Zig out with a new backpack which he is madly in love with and thinks is "huge!" 

 

Luca chose a new personlised lunchbox and is equally smitten. 

Not wanting to leave Harlow out, I chose this adorable Penny Scallan Junior Messenger kids bag which she has packed and unpacked a thousand times since last week. I also chose a wooden name puzzle because the boys both had them at the same age. I believe she has already lost "w" under the fridge. God help the person who has to retrieve it from under there (yes, I'm looking at you, Bren).

And I am so thrilled to report that Stuck On You also sent me two Penny Scallan lunchbox/drink bottle sets to be donated to St Kilda Mums where they will be gifted to families doing it tough. I picture a little person heading off to school proudly sporting their new lunchbox and drink bottle. No hand-me-downs. Brand new and just for them. A simple thing that can majorly impact on the dignity a family feels. Thank you, Stuck On You, for helping The Little Mumma to make it count in 2014.

 

Win one of 5 $20 Gift Cards

 

To help you out with back to school costs, five lucky readers can win a $20 giftcard to put towards any of the fabulous personalised Stuck On You products. 

To enter, simply head to the Stuck On You website and let me know what you would put your $20 giftcard towards. 

Conditions of entry: 

• Entrants must leave a comment below (not on Facebook) and  be contactable via email. One entry per person. Open to Australian residents only.
• Entries close: Friday 24 January 2014 at noon.
• This is a game of chance. Winners will be chosen by random.org, notified by email and announced on this blog post.
• Prize delivery will be handled by Stuck On You.
• Prizes are not redeemable for cash.
• Prizes are not transferable.
• The Promoter is not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner but please shoot me an email if you do not receive your prize within two weeks so I can investigate for you! 

 Promoter: The Little Mumma, PO Box 159, Montmorency, Victoria, 3094 

 Best of luck!

 

Disclosure: Stuck On You allowed the kids and I to choose products for back to school and also donated two lunchbox/drink bottle sets for St Kilda Mums. No other payment was received.

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~WINNERS~

Congratulations to Kate, Neatsiep, Hannah D, Kylie and Ladybird! I'll be emailing you shortly.

Thank you to everyone who entered! 🙂

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