First Week of School!!

Celebrate-go to lunch, Cry or Do the Happy Dance, Break out that Book you've been meaning to Read!!! Whatever the case may be, I know I have mixed feelings. I love the routine of how things function during the school year, (namely bedtime routine), but I am also sad to see my kids growing up so fast.  I have been looking forward to the day when all my kids are in school, and now that it is here, I feel kind of lost. I absolutely enjoy the summer vacation with them, but then there is the last 2 weeks of where everyone is arguing and pestering because they are getting bored. So my plan is to enjoy those 2 1/2 hrs of bliss in the mornings, but to also not waste my time of unfinished projects.
This week I'm working on the clutter; especially the paperwork and junk drawers!

My cubscouter started a paper recycling box in the garage and once a month we find a recycling bin, usually in a school parking lot, to drop off while running other errands. All the newspapers, junk mail, old invitations, drawings, etc., go in this box. This is a great time of year to start if you haven't already, before all the school papers start piling up!
For the school papers, may I suggest some in-and-out boxes in a central location like the kitchen, or some over the door pockets in the coat closet or pantry, or labeled cubbies in the mudroom. One box for you to look over everyday and sign and mark the calendar, and one for each person in the family to take out on the way out the door. Whatever works for you. Getting control of the paperwork will make the rest of the school year go more blissful!

Are you ready?

One more week! I can't believe school starts in just 1 week!! Here we are making our final lists of what everybody needs: backpack-check, lunch tote-check, first new outfit-check, new socks-check, new shoes-check, new folder for the teenager who doesn't want to carry a backpack-still trying to convince....

This year I'm also adding in a welcome gift for the teacher: box of Kleenex, and a bottle of Hand Sanitizer. Partly because being a former preschool teacher I know how fast teachers go through that stuff, and partly because it's usually my kids going through it the quickest because of seasonal allergies.

Also, trying to squeeze in all those daytime doctor visits for the kids, so no one has to miss school, and I can be more useful of my time while they are away, a couple more trips to the pool, one more soccer tournament,  and 1-on-1 Blissful dates with the kids before the schedules get a little more hectic!

Let the Countdown Continue!

Only 2 weeks left! I can't believe it!! School starts in just 2 weeks. Where has the summer gone?

I know time flies, but I swear it flies faster when your kids get older. I love spending the summer with my children; no hectic schedules, no homework, swimming, bike rides, night games, city celebrations, fireworks, camping, hiking, snowcones, and not to forget the awesome Grandma Camp we all look forward to, the list could go on. Yet, there is something to be said for ROUTINE!

About half my children run on routine, the others are pretty easy going, but definately need sleep.  I can tell you also, their parents like it even more. It's great to have dinner before dark, jobs done before school, and a bedtime. By this time of year I'm ready to have my evenings back with my husband. Whether it's watching the new Fall lineup season on t.v. or catching up on missed conversation.

This week turn the clock back on bedtime. Try 1/2 hour earlier to start with. We actually started this last week with 9:30, this week with 9:00, by next week 8:30! You choose what bedtimes are best for your children this is what works for us. The older 2, (6th grade on up) get to stay up till 9:30, but only if in their room reading. (Guess what the teenage boy chooses-Sleep!)

Blissful Dreams!

Back to School!

It's that time of year again! I can't believe it, school is about to start, 3 weeks away!

Is this what your kids closets look like right now? Summer clothes mismatched and thrown in despite my efforts to match a coordinating shirt w/shorts, they still have their fave's! They might have to accidentally disappear for a while, then bring them back. Or not.




Last year's school shoes, definately needing an  upgrade. This pic does not do it justice, there are some seams coming apart. And these maybe the third set of laces. Granted they are hand-me-downs from a cousin (love them) so they well got there use.




So my goal this week is to first go through everyone's closets!
Starting with the oldest, because they may be handed down to the next sibling or cousin or friend in need, before having to put away in storage.
Then go through the drawers, including; p.j.'s, t-shirts, underwear, and socks. These undergarments get bought brand new, but that is my opinion, except p.j.'s.
Then grab your handy-dandy notebook, and make a list of what that child does need and sizes. After making a list for each child, go shopping in your storage bins and cross off list as fulfilled.
Then don't forget to put your list right in your purse to always have with you when out shopping at the stores. Which are having great sales on now!




When putting clothes away in bins, don't forget to label gender and size, eliminating a lot of time and headache later. Notice I also put the boys clothes in blue bins and the girls in silver (I haven't seen a pink bin yet), making it easier to find.




When doing a jean fitting, remember destressed is still in style, so don't feel too stressed to buy all new, they'll come like that anyway now. But if the holes are way to big and the waist still fits, (By the way love the person who came up with the elastic-adjustable waistband!), just make them into cute cutoffs! (It's still warm enough to wear shorts to school for a while.) You may throw away the bottom, but that's not me, I save them and trim off the seams and save to add to the levi quilts I'm making for Christmas! (SSHH!! don't tell my kids, and yes my 14 yr old actually asked for one-makes great for camping.)




As for collared shirts or anything you hang, turn the hangers around backwards. When you wear it and hang it back the right way you know you like and wear that item. The hangers that have not been turned around in 6 months obviously are not getting worn and may be recycled.
There are a few things you can do with used clothing.
1. Hand-me-downs! We love these, and I'm sure others do to!
2. Donate-D.I., M.S., etc. Usually these are well worn.
3. Consignment-there are all kinds of shops around now that take clothing, shoes, bags, you name it. Most of these stores will pay you cash, or give you extra for in store credit. My favorite for kids is Kid-to-Kid in Provo or Lindon. My favorite for girls and ladies is My Sister's Closet in Spanish Fork, which will donate if not sold in 3 months.
4. Garbage-holey socks, and used underwear.
5. Rags-t-shirts make great rags for cleaning baseboards or to have on hand in the garage.




Unless you have set aside a budget for school clothes, try just buying one new item a week, like this week all the kids got new shoes. One stop at the shoe store, done! Then the next week, essential undergarments, and so on.

 Hope this makes your back-to-school shopping a little more blissful!