Today is Monday....

Monday is Laundry day at our house, including all the bed sheets.

It just happens to be one of my days off from preschool when I'm home all day!

(Except this week, it's my birthday and if you don't schedule time off for yourself no one else will. So a few years ago, I decided no housework or cooking on my birthday!)

Of course it piles up through the week so I do about 2-3 more loads on Friday, also day off.

I'm not telling you, you have to do it on Monday, just simply pick a day that works for you, then your not doing everything, everyday.

I hate ironing, my husband even says it is a waste of time, especially when you have kids your constantly holding.  So I have bought 3-4 nice wrinkle-free shirts for Sunday, and maybe once a month I actually iron when it piles up and I pick a chick flick to watch while doing it. (I can't just sit and do nothing, ask my sis-in-law.)

Each day our laundry is put into 2 laundry baskets next to the bedrooms.  Each day a different kid has the job of sorting that laundry into these bins. Whites, lights, darks, and levis, the towels go in a hamper in my bathroom after being used at least twice.

I might be crazy for making my own laundry soap, but I love not running out, and this recipe (see bottom of post) saves a ton of $. I very rarely have to use the Spray N' Wash, and I only use the dryer sheets for less static. (My husband has one of those electric personalities.) And it makes everything smell fresh, you could also add some essential oils for fragrance.

I keep this 5 gallon buchet on my laundry room floor and fill when needed.

Everything gets hung up or folded and put away by the end of the day by who it belongs to.

Laundry Soap Recipe:
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Bar Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar
water

Grate bar soap & dissolve in 4 cups water on med.-low heat in medium saucepan.
Pour melted soap and washing soda and borax in 5 gallon container. Fill to top with hot water & mix.
Cover. Let set overnight. Stir again. Fill 1 gallon jug 1/2 full with concentrate, 1/2 water. Shake.
Use 1/2-1 cup per load.

I found everything at Macey's.

Sunday Night Routine


 

This is the inside of our panty door.  In your house it may be in your mudroom or maybe a chalkboard in your kids room, but this seems to be the central station in our house.  I keep a whiteboard which I update every Sunday night with a list of chores for the week for each child, 1 job per day besides keeping their room clean, making their bed and putting away clothes.  Then I don't have to think when they get home from school what to have them do to earn their allowance. (Allowance you say: YES!  My kids get $1 for every age they are per month.) Cheap you say, maybe. But they usually don't spend it, they like to go to the bank and see their savings grow.  But now Christmas is upon us, yes ladies, maybe only 5-6 more paychecks till then, sad but true, they keep a little bit at home to buy for each other.
Back to the job chart, most of the time, those who are a little bit more focused in the morning, usually get their job done before school.  Since this picture was taken I have updated it to 4 different color of dry erase pens, 1 for each kid.  Easier for them to spot their own section .
Also the lunch calendar from school is printed out here, so those that are picky can decide if they are taking a home lunch on which days that week by writing their initial and a yes or no next to it.

Also backpacks are ready, papers signed, books inside, ready to go hanging inside the coat closet on command hooks, next to a jacket and pair of shoes on the shelf ready to go.
The kids also set out their own school clothes for the next day (as long as they are modest I don't battle, they actually do this all week long, takes out the guess work and one less thing to do in the morning), and take out a bathroom garbage because Monday is city garbage day.

And for all you couponers out there, after the kiddos have settled down for the night I clip and sort the coupons from the day. So I'm ready for Monday without weekend loomers.  Stay tuned for Monday routine...