Family Calendar

Today, I wanted to show you a fun idea for the version of the Family Message Board that we've talked about before. This is my daughter's family calendar:

Her boys are still quite young (six, four and two) and so a full-on headquarters board isn't needed yet. But this calendar is perfect for them. She used a regular 20x28 picture frame and on the back of the glass, drew the lines for the calendar with permanent marker. She used vinyl lettering for the days.

Each month she draws in the numbers with white board markers and uses simple pictures to help her boys know what is happening. She erases the days past so they know what day it is and how many days until they go to the zoo, or it's Dad's birthday.

It's fun to ask the boys because they know when t-ball practice is, when it's Sunday (indicated by a tie) and when they're coming to my house for a splash party! Great way to keep the family organized!

Lunch Baskets

Over at Christine's Corner we've been talking about how to make lunches more enticing and nutritious (here and here). One thing that will help you with these new ideas is a Lunch Basket. This basket (or box) if filled with things that go into your lunches. This is especially great if your kids are filling their own lunch boxes. They can choose one of anything in the basket. You can have bags of chips, granola bars, fruit rolls -- whatever you want them to have. You can also have one in the refrigerator for things that need to stay cold. Kids love to pick things from their very own basket!

Finish It Friday

Tomorrow is Finish It Friday --- a perfect day for catching up on all the loose ends you have laying around, completing those errands you've been meaning to do and beginning the weekend without anything hanging over your head.

Don't you have those few little things that you need to do, but you just keep putting off? Every time you walk by the glue gun that you mean to return to your sister but don't, you're draining energy. It just nags at you. Sitting there. So does that baseball cap that is dirty and disgusting and you put it buy the laundry room sink to wash, but just haven't done it yet. Energy drain!

So, make your list today and grab a cute basket (that ALWAYS makes Finish It Friday more fun) and start to put things in it that need your attention tomorrow. I'm going to put away the baby blanket I lent, exchange the shirt I bought for another size, take some jam to my sick neighbor, return the book I borrowed and get that DVD in the mail.

What are you going to do on Finish It Friday?

Twas the Night Before, Part 2

Last week we looked at three ideas (Twas the Night Before, Part 1) for getting things ready the night before to make the mornings run more smoothly. With a little preparation before, everyone can be dressed, fed, ready for the day and out the door ON TIME -- all without tears, fears and head-explosions! Here are the final four suggestions for making an easy-breezy morning:

4. Prepare lunches the night before and have them waiting in the refrigerator for quick grabbing. (In future posts we'll examine just what you can make and pack early for delicious, creative lunches.) If you have to leave before breakfast, pack some granola bars, fruit and even peanut butter sandwiches to give you a good morning start. My daughter keeps some of things in her desk drawer so that she can eat when she has a morning break at work.

5. Write a list of things you need to grab in the morning right before you leave such as water bottles, lunches, potluck salad. Put the list with your bag and keys so you will see it in the morning.

6. Empty the dishwasher. How does that help in the morning? With the dishwasher empty, everyone can quickly load their breakfast dishes before leaving so that you aren't coming home to a sinkful of dirty dishes.
7. Set up for breakfast prep. Remember that every few minutes counts in the morning. The night before, lay out bowls, spoons, cereal boxes, sugar and whatever else you can do for the morning. Set the coffee maker, fill the tea kettle. Check to make sure you have the milk or eggs that you need.

A little bit of preparation the night before will make for a smoother morning and prevent unexpected disasters. Try it and see if things don't run a little easier for you.

Twas the Night Before, Part 1

It's almost Back-to-School time and the pressure is heating up. Getting everyone out the door in the morning to school, to work, to the sitter can really be a challenge. But whether you're trying to get started on a school day or a weekend with soccer games, picnics and trips to Grandma's house, the key is THE NIGHT BEFORE!

Before turning in for the night, spend a few minutes preparing and you will save hours of valuable time in the morning. You'll leave the house calmer, on time and even with breakfast in your tummies! There are seven ways to achieve this easy-breezy morning, the night before. Here are the first three tips. Next week, we'll examine the other four secrets to a smooth morning.

1. Set out your clothing. This way you will know if jeans need to be washed or if the sweater you want to wear is still at the cleaners. Find the missing shoes and make sure you have clean socks. Need a jacket for an evening activity? Set it out, too. Kids love planning out their clothing and you will love fewer (and maybe no more) meltdowns over what to wear. You might even want to try this clever clothing bag geared to set aside clothing for the whole week. Great for kids!


2. Prepare your bags: Fill your diaper bags, briefcases, backpacks, and purses for the day. Make sure to pack the reports, forms and school assignments or sunblock, hats, cameras or whatever else you need for the day ahead.
3. Don't forget your keys. . . . and your phone and other valuable electronics. Lay them beside your bags (or pack them inside) so you won't spend valuable morning minutes looking for them.

Come back next Thursday for the final four secrets to make leaving the house a breeze.

A Backpack Place

We're soon to be starting school again and that means bags and backpacks. Do your kids' backpacks always seem to be all over the place -- the couch, the floor, the kitchen table? Much as you may want them to, kids just usually don't take their bags to their rooms, so why not create a place for them to go that the kids might actually use.

Shelves with hooks or pegs are a great place for bags and packs. A simple shelf can be hung on walls near the door that the kids use or even placed directly on the door.


Over the door (wreath) hangers make a great place to hang backpacks on any door.

If you have the space, create shelves or cubby holes for the backpacks to go in.


Individual hooks -- decorative ones, can be hung on walls

and Command Hooks by 3M work well just about anywhere


Whatever method you use for hanging your bags and packs, the most important thing is that they are in a place that is close to where the kids come in and out of the house, they are at a height they can reach, and each person has their own hook.

You might even like one for yourself.

Gunk Goo Gone

Today's post isn't so much about organization as cleaning, but I want to share this tip with you anyway. Do you get this gunky black stuff on your outside windows and doors? I hope it's not just me, but over the years, it just seems to grow and nothing I've tried gets rid of it.

Until now! I bought Goo Gone for when I was trying to remove scout badges for a shirt. It smells nasty and I've avoided using it much, but it occurred to me today, while cleaning the exterior windows and doors, to try it on this gunk.

I sprayed it on, let it sit for several minutes (that's key, you have to let it sit a bit) and then loosened it with a rag and soapy water. Then, blasted it with a hose on full force. Whalah!

Gunk is gone! Now, some of the gunk on the caulk, didn't fully come off, but I'm pleased with the results. The Goo Gone is really oily and you have to thoroughly wash the doors and windows afterward, but this really made a big difference! If you have gunk, try it!

P.S. If someone tells you to use that Magic sticky stuff to hold your scout badges on the shirt -- grab your Goo Gone and run! It's TOTALLY not worth it!