You know it's October when...

What do all these things have in common?

They are purchases I made today at Target, that bastion of cheap style, as I acknowledged that I am short on time, and running out of options.

The crockpot is obvious: on weeknights we get home between 5:45 and 6:10. We eat leftovers if we're lucky, or quick-prep meals if not. Last night we found ourselves sitting in the "dining" area of the local upscale grocery store eating pizza at 6:15, with a very overtired toddler. Enough is enough.

The orange toddler clothes, less so: apparently he wants to be a tiger for Halloween. Or thinks he does, because his cousin told him to. After looking in 3 stores over 2 hours yesterday for a tiger costume, I realized the smart moms have all bought theirs already - either raiding the stores early or going online, and still spending $20-30 for something their kids will wear once. (OK, ok, the little girls will keep their princess outfits for dressup as long as possible, but the boys?)

Screw that.

He's getting orange clothes, with a tail and ears sewn on, which will later be pulled off so he can wear them over and over until they're falling apart like the rest of his clothes.

And by God he's going to wear them, that day, too, and NOT try to go to school in his pajamas. again. like every other day... erm...