My Pack Rat

Sarah was born in the Year of the Rat, and sometimes I think it must have been the "Pack Rat."  She holds onto everything and insists on carrying a lot of it in her school backpack.  Don helped her empty it for use at the Girl Scout campout a couple of weeks ago, and he couldn't resist taking inventory:

large outside pocket

• dry dandelions (4)
• rock - small, black
• rock - tiny (2)
• rock - chalk long (2)
• rock - black
• rock - white
• rock - chalk
• rubber band (2)
• Hello Kitty key chain
• mints in Hello Kitty tin
• lotion
• Post-It notes
• pink pen
• purple pen
• blue pen
• orange pen
• dark purple pen
• purple pen
• pink pen
• silver/purple pen
• small notepad
• larger notepad
• post cards

small outside pocket

• granola bar
• Kleenex
• lotion
• giant crayon (red)
• lip balm
• ball - red spikes
• brick piece
• picture of Nick (her cat)
• pen
• Dr. Seuss eraser
• scraps of paper
• lip balm holder
• crayon - small
• necklace
• rock
• chalk (2)

carabiner hanging off outside of pack

• turtle key chain
• butterfly key chain
• keys (4 - all for long-lost locks)

This is why her pack is heavy even before she adds her lunch, homework, and fifty magic markers that usually go to school with her.  And, in case you're wondering, every item went back in its proper place after the campout.  There was never any doubt....