I took my small people school supply shopping today.

This is both good news and bad.

Bad because I find it a painful, hectic experience. Bad because it means Summer is winding to a close.

Good because Summer is winding to a close. (what?) I will be honest:  Summer is my favorite season.  And not by a small margin.  I think the temperature should be at least 85 degrees year-round. However, I cannot have my small people home with me year-round. As much as I love and adore them, they are chipping away at my sanity.  And at each other’s.  So school starting in just less than three weeks will be a good thing.

We need a return to structure.

The other good news? Well, the dreaded school shopping is DONE.

Now, I just need to make sure Coop and Delaney are presentable for that first day.  And for Coop, that will definitely mean a haircut.  He has gorgeous, blond curls.  I always hesitate to cut them at all, but last year, on his first day of kindergarten, he came home nearly in tears.  A little boy in his class was repeatedly asking him if he was a girl.  That same boy continued to harass him for months, until my small guy decided he wanted it all cut off.

It broke my heart.

He’s been growing it back out since then.  And he does need a trim. But we aren’t cutting it all off like we did last year.  Coop has decided ‘the ladies’ like his hair a little longer.  So, my baby Rico Suave is going to keep some of the curls.

If you have Back-To-School haircuts in your plans, I have JUST the place for you:

JCPenney.

For the entire month of August, kid’s haircuts are FREE.  Yes, FREE.  Appointments are first-come, first serve for kids between kindergarten and 6th grade.  They are doing this at more than 900 salons nationwide. Why are they doing this?  To get kids styled and ready for Back-to-School and to tie in to the newly launched Caress Philanthropy.

And because I know you LOVE to give back – especially when it is this easy… if you get your child’s haircut on Wednesday, August 1st, not only will the haircut be free, but JCPenney will donate $1 for each cut to the Boys and Girls Club of America and 4H Club.  And it gets better: they will also MATCH the money raised, up to $50,000.

Be sure to schedule your appointment NOW at your local JCPenney salon before they are completely booked!

Disclosure: I am working with JCPenney to share the information about this month-long campaign.  As always, all opinions and experiences are mine alone,