You guys. It was so cool yesterday that on my way to work, I actually turned off the air conditioning in my car. And my Walmart is completely sold out of backpacks. And, maybe not most importantly but – I’m not going to lie – very exciting, the fall TV schedule is posted on several websites.

It is almost time for school to start. As a matter of fact, a couple of the districts where I live are starting this week, and I saw a couple homeschooling friends post that they were beginning their years last week.

While I’m sure you’ve already bought your kids’ or your own school supplies, I found a few deals that might help you ease into fall (whether anyone in your house is headed to school or not)!

This summer I’ve had to start packing a lunch for Annalyn on the two days she goes to daycare. And this fall I’ll have to do it three days a week when she goes to preschool. So far, she’s been pretty easy to please, asking for a peanut butter (no jelly, thank you) sandwich every day with one fruit and one veggie. But just last night she said, “Mommy, I’m getting a little tired of peanut butter. Maybe I could take pizza next week?”

While I’m not going to start sending pizza in my kiddo’s lunch, I am on the hunt for new lunch ideas. Luckily, I remembered that Easy Lunchboxes not only sells great containers and coolers for lunches (that are environmentally safe and save you money in the end), but also has tons of great ideas – including photos of nearly 200 different lunches! – on its website.

And while I’m at it, I guess I’d better label all her stuff, too. I mean, writing on things with a sharpie has worked so far. But now that my almost-five-year-old is starting to be a little more concerned about what’s “cool” – and now that I’ve gotten to know Kiddo Tags through a few freelance projects – I know that custom name tags are where it’s at. I’m still not going to buy her the obnoxious Barbie backpack she’s had her eye on (the last-a-lifetime bag my parents got her last year from Lands’ End will work just fine!), but I can put her name on everything with the cutest (and most durable) Kiddo Tags.

And now for something completely unrelated to back to school, but still oh-so-relevant! The beginning of the school year also means the beginning of football season. Not that I’d even pay attention to that if I weren’t married to a football fan. But since I am – and since his team is joining the SEC this year – I bought this book for him yesterday: God & Football: Faith and Fanatacism in the SEC by Chad Gibbs. Based on the reviews I’ve read, you want to buy this, too, for the football fanatics in your life. (I’ll let you know for sure after he’s read it.)

My next Amazon purchase is one for Annalyn, and the fresh start of fall is a good time for it. I haven’t loved her Veggie Tales devotional, so the next one I’m going to try is Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young. Have you read this one? Is it good for a four-almost-five-year-old?

I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about Dayspring’s sale on school supplies. It’s buy two, get one free in Dayspring’s back to school department, so if you have teens or tweens, check it out!

But just in case you’re over school supplies and ready to get something pretty for yourself (or start your Christmas shopping now), I’m excited to tell you that several items in Dayspring’s Redeemed Collection are on sale this month. The wooden perpetual calendar is on sale for $29.99 (regularly $49.99), the metal bird feeder is on sale for $19.99 (regularly $29.99), and the Everything Beautiful wall mirror (my favorite!) is on sale for $29.99 (regularly $39.99).

And I can’t help telling you about What’s in the Bible DVDs again. We watch one of our videos at least once a week, and we listen to the CD in the car more than any other CD we have. No joke. We love these crazy puppets! You can buy each of the DVDs for $14.99 each, or you can get the entire Old Testament (9 DVDs) for just $109.99 (regularly $134.99). Buy them now . . . and then you, too, can walk around singing Bible songs in a puppet voice. (It’s way better than that sounds, I promise.)

Happy shopping and have a great weekend!