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Can you believe it is already almost time for back to school? As much as I was looking forward to Summer, the girls and I are certainly looking forward to getting back to the routine and structure that comes along with back to school. We are looking so forward to school starting in fact, that we have already begun getting ready for the upcoming school year. Hey - being prepared is important for girls! The Teen has a particularly interesting school year ahead. Being in her third year of the veterinary academy comes long days of labs followed by longer nights of interning at local vet offices and shelters. She will be inside and outside, handling large and small animals, performing everything from shots to surgeries - all while needing to look and feel her best no matter what may be going on with her.

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The girls and I headed to Walgreens to start our back to school shopping. Not only do they have a great selection - but we can get just about everything in one place - without the chaos we have found in other stores. We also love the Balance Rewards card which helps us save a ton of money on stuff we have to buy anyway - that is always a perk. You can get school supplies, medical stuff, after school snacks - and of course cosmetics which are a "must have" for any teenage girls bag. I was most concerned with getting her a bag for those particularly long days when it was "that time of the month" - since she will be on her feet for hours with few breaks, and will not have time to come home between school and her internship. I put together a Cycle Survival Kit for her to just grab and go and have everything she needs in one place.

We started with the most obvious Cycle Survival Kit necessity - U by Kotex CleanWear® pads. The Kotex CleanWear pads have new technology to make them cleaner and more comfortable for long term wear. Since The Teen will be in scrubs having to crouch and stoop down a lot to pick up small animals and such, I wanted to make sure to get her something that would move with her - so she wouldn't have to worry having embarrassing period stories to tell to her kids later... like her mother did. *cough* 

Next it was time to start filling the bag with all of the Cycle Survival must haves. We perused the store for a while - finding all kinds of great stuff. We picked up a pack of Bic razors and her favorite EOS Honeysuckle Honeydew EOS lip balm. Right now Walgreens is having a promotion  when you buy $15 of participating U by Kotex, EOS, and BIC products, you get 3,000 Balance Reward Points! Those will come in handy when we shop for all of Midge's back to school necessities in a few weeks.

We also grabbed some other period essentials - just in case. I think we packed her little bag perfectly. Besides the pads, razors, and EOS we also picked up:

• a little package of tissues - for when those little emotional moments hit
• some makeup remover wipes - in case we need to touch things up
• a mini deodorant - for the days she is working outside
• a mini hand sanitizer - because you can never have too much of that stuff
• a little tub of lip balm that says "Happy Thoughts" - to remember to always choose happy
• TOOTSIE ROLLS!!! Because you know you want chocolate when it's that time.

We put everything together in a colorful little makeup bag so it is quick and easy to grab and go, and can be tossed in to her backpack when she needs it. I know The Teen is very much like me, and there is so much peace of mind that comes with just knowing that you are prepared for when things happen - like starting your period. She says she now feels confident about that time of the month, even with her crazy schedule and workload. Less stress for her - means less worry for Mom! It is a total win-win.

Fix-It Chips

The Cycle Survival Kit is a must have for any teen age girl heading back to school, but I have one more tip for "fixing everything." Whether your girl is suffering from a broken heart, dealing with that time of the month, or stressing over upcoming finals, the Fit It Chips are the perfect little indulgence. Just a few ingredients and a microwave, and you have the perfect solution to all of life's little inconveniences.

Ingredients:

• Your favorite potato chips - we used Ruffles because they are nice and strong

• 1 cup Caramel bits

• 1 cup Milk Chocolate Morsels

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 2 tablespoons whipping cream

• Pecan pieces

Start by laying out your potato chips in a single layer either on a cookie sheet or wax paper.

Melt your caramel bits in the microwave - stirring often to prevent scorching. Add in two tablespoons of whipping cream and mix slowly until nice and smooth. Using a spoon, drizzle slowly over potato chips - making sure to get some on every single one.

Do the same with your chocolate morsels - adding in the oil to make the chocolate nice and smooth. You want to work quickly - the caramel and chocolate will set quickly. When you have finished drizzling the chocolate, use your hands to sprinkle on pecans. Let chips cool and then gently break apart and enjoy!

These chips are quick and easy to make - and give you the perfect sweet-salty-savory-crunchy-chewy deliciousness that you crave when you are feeling puny.

How are you helping your girls get prepared for Back to School Cycle Survival?