back to school style

Hendrik starts school this week - 5th grade! This is seeming really old to me because this summer we kept reflecting on how we moved into this house a few months before Hendrik turned 2, and then we had Freddie turning 2 in August. Fun to think of what they've both been like in terms of personalities and activities in this same space (suffice it to say, we basically didn't have to childproof the house the first time around, but this time...). But also wild that the redheaded toddler I keep thinking about is now this long legged chatterbox (ok, that part hasn't changed) with braces. 

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Speaking of long legs, he's been outgrowing the shorts and pants and shoes again, so a good time for a little closet refresh - and since it will be hot for a while (+ elementary schools around here generally don't have a/c), a great time to grab some summery items on clearance. I always like Primary.com for both kids, but JCrew Factory is a favorite of mine for good sales and/or clearance kids stuff in classic/basic styles, and I've also been actually finding a bunch with Gap Factory - the "pull-on" jeans are key with the beanpole body shape...

Also, I know I'm not alone in this since something similar definitely got mentioned by the ladies on the Girl Next Door podcast once: I just feel like I can handle the antics or annoyances of a kid better if he's looking a bit more put together (and if his nails are trimmed, much to both of my children's dismay), so I really prefer he dress in "regular" clothes like solid/striped tees, polos and button-downs, and chino shorts, rather than sweats or character tees. And I feel like I should extend this courtesy to the woman who has to spend every weekday with a classroom full of 9 and 10 year olds... am I right?  

Luckily we have a pretty good understanding with each other that I can lay out H's school clothes, and he picks his day off clothes. So I still get to pick out the styles I like, and inspired by these great New Balance sneakers, I went for some more fall-like colors in items that will get us through the dog days of summer + back-to-school combo.