Backpack

On Xander's first day of preschool last Monday, he had a great time. But he kept on taking another boy's Lightning McQueen backpack and trying to claim it as his own. Xander loves Lightning McQueen and all things Cars related. I hadn't bought him a backpack at all, because really backpacks are preschool are pretty much useless. Still, to prevent further backpack theft, I figured I'd better go get him his own Lightning McQueen backpack.

We went to Walmart. There were no Lightning McQueen backpacks left. Of course. I flirted briefly with the idea of getting him a Lightning McQueen lunch bag, but it really wasn't the same as a backpack. Finally I found a small, plain black pack just the right size for Xander. I figured we'd stick some Cars stickers on it and call it good.

The stickers didn't work. First of all, Xander insisted on putting them on himself and they ended up in a big jumble in the middle. He loved it, but unfortunately, the stickers did not stick to vinyl well at all. The were falling off by the end of the next preschool class. I knew I needed a different solution.

I had a Lightning McQueen stocking cap that I bought for Xander one day to appease him when he wasn't getting the Lightning McQueen shoes he wanted. But he's never worn the hat. For one thing, it's way too big. Actually I think it would be too big for me even. Anyway, it had a great Lightning McQueen applique on it and I got the brilliant idea of cutting the applique off the hat and attaching it to the backpack. I used hot glue. Worked like a charm! Considering how totally non-crafty I am, I thought this was a major victory.

Cute, isn't it? You'll notice that one of the stickers remains. Now Xander has a snazzy one-of-a-kind Lightning McQueen backpack which he refuses to take to preschool! Ah, well. Maybe he'll decide to take it with him next week.