FALLing Back Into a Groove

Playgroup Tips

Keeping the kids busy and happy is a very important part of my day.  In addition to preschool and extra activities, we have a weekly playgroup.  Over time, we have gotten our rhythm and now it’s a great morning activity for everyone.  Here’s what works for us…

Rotation

Each week we host at a different house.  It’s great to entertain, but it’s also nice to come home to a clean house after a morning of play.  By rotating houses, no one person feels burdened by hosting too frequently.  During the summer months, we often met at a playground or had a backyard picnic, which was a great way to get some fresh air!

Lunch

Typically, the person that hosts provides the main lunch dish for the kids, while others bring a veggie or fruit.  We also bring something for the adults to snack on (usually something sweet).  The kids are now old enough to LOVE pizza, so we have been making that our meal for both kids and adults.

Clean up

Personally, I don’t impose a clean up rule at our house.  We still have some little ones in the group and with teething babies comes toys in the mouth.  I like to take the Lysol wipes to everything I can before I put it away.  At most friends’ houses, we do take time to help with clean up before leaving.

Social aspects

This is a great time for the kids to interact with their peers, learn to share and respect others, and enjoy meals together as a group.  In addition, it’s a great time for the moms and caregivers to talk about the kids development, share our great (and not-so-great moments) of the last week, and get some feedback.

Our weekly playgroup has been going for almost two years and it has been a great experience.  We have built some long lasting friendships for the kids and ourselves.  Playgroup has been a welcome activity in our sometimes busy weeks!

Color vs Clear Totes

There is really no reason to have this debate, but it actually has happened at my house.  I prefer colored storage totes.  They are great for holiday storage and even his/her items.  I like orange and black for Halloween and green and red for Christmas.  Tacky?  It just may be, but I like it and it works for me.  My better half is a firm believer in clear totes.  His logic is that you see what’s inside.  Point taken.  However, there are pros and cons to both styles.

Seeing clearly

I think clear totes are great for items that pack up neatly.  I am a fan of clear totes for quite a few things, mostly small storage items.  I tend to store batteries, receipts, felt pads for furniture, items to be filed, etc, in a small clear bin.  Linens are typically packed away neatly, so I also store those in large clear totes.   Clear bins /totes definitely allow you to locate an item faster than if it were in a colored, unlabeled storage container.

Color coordination

Rainy Days

Don’t Let a Good Time Pass You By

Have you ever missed a party entirely, or forgotten the details like time and address?  Keep those invitations to social events together, so you don’t miss a thing.   Here a few tips to keeping your invites organized.

Write away

As soon as I get an invite, I check my calendar to see if I can make it.   If so, I then enter the info directly on my calendar with the time and address.  If I happen to lose the invite between now and the time of the event,  I still have all the details.  I first RSVP and then file it away or recycle it.

Keep it in your pocket

There are some great calendars out there with pockets for this very purpose.  You can keep bills, invites, and even cards you may need to mail out that month for birthdays and holidays.  The invite will be in a place that you access regularly and in seeing it frequently, you won’t forget the date.

In plain sight

Another tip is to keep the invite wherever your message center is.  Maybe for you that’s the fridge, or the desk, or a basket on the table next to the door.  Wherever you decide to keep your most important and time sensitive papers should be where you keep all invites.  Try keeping it with bills that you need to write out for that date, and then you’re sure to remember.

Get me out of here (on time)

Here are 3 tips for getting out the door on time in the morning.

Plan ahead

Have an idea of your outfit for the next day so there is no last minute clothing crisis!  There is nothing worse than looking for an outfit in a rush.  Even if you don’t lay your clothes out, make sure there are plenty of options for yourself in the morning.   It only takes a minute before bed and I do it every night.

Set a routine

Every morning I do the same thing, right down to the order I do things in the shower… hair, body, face.  I know how many minutes it takes me to complete my morning regimen.  I know that if I maintain this system, it works for me.

Be organized

Get your purse, shoes, and any items you may need for the following day and keep these in one spot.  (the same spot)  For me, it’s the counter nearest the door.  Most importantly, put your keys there too!

Hello!

My life is not the busiest but it sure feels it at times.  It definitely seems harder to maintain a balance as more tasks are added.  I am a full time nanny for 2 great kids and at the end of the day, I return home to my love, our 2 dogs, 3 cats, and whatever home improvement project awaits.  After spending the day managing a house that is not my own, I just want to come home to a clean and relaxing haven.  That’s not been my luxury for some time now.

It has become my goal to regain the life I once had.   In writing this blog, I will share tips and stories that help me in everyday life.  Expect to read about time management, kids, laundry, home improvement, pets, and whatever else I need to focus on that week.   It’s my hope that I can help you become a little more organized as I will be once again.