Just before school started last month, we took a family day trip up to Maine. Along with a stop in Wells to negotiate the Maine Diner gift card Bobby Law won when he went there last summer, we were searching for backpacks.
Naturally, we headed to the flagship LL Bean store in Freeport.
Naturally, we couldn't find any backpacks in the right color and size combination for any of the 3 kids for under $80.
Naturally, we left empty handed.
Eventually we made our way to the less crowded and less expensive LL Bean outlet. There they had backpacks by the boatload (literally) and priced from $18-$35.
That's more like it.
Of course there was a catch.
All of these first quality backpacks we returns. Not just any old returns. Backpacks that had been monogrammed with a child's name or initials--and then returned. Gotta love a generous return policy.
We began digging through the backpacks with great amusement. In fact, we ended up buying Ebby a backpack named Heidi.
Not to worry, it's even cuter now that I ripped out the name stitching and replaced it with an iron-on bird applique. For $26 for a durable, long lasting LL Bean backpack, you can't go wrong.
In the meantime, Cuyler told me he was really hoping to find a backpack with his name of it. Now, you know as well as he does, when you go the the rack of personalized stickers or souvenir license plates, you can find Elizabeth, you can find William, but you can't ever, nope never, find Cuyler.
I laughed and told him I'd be "very, very surprised" if he found a backpack with his name on it.
And then he found out this.
Are.You.Kidding.Me??????
So funny, and so close.
Close, but no Cuyler.
So, for the forseeable future, Cuyler will continue to use his Target backpack he's had since 2nd grade. Maybe next year we'll have better luck.
