Grocery shopping and meal planning. I want to start off by saying, I don't meal plan! HAHA. It sounds so organized, but for some reason I have never been able to master this. For those that truly know me and how OCD I can be about organization...meal planning is just not for me. In this area I'm almost always winging it, many days out of the week it's late afternoon and I realize I have not thought about dinner at all. It seems to be working fine, because none of us are starving!
I guess I kinda plan, atleast one night a week we have some kind of breakfast. It's typically Wednesday night, but not always. I'm trying to continue with the tradition of Gateway Woods in that every Friday night is pizza night. (It doesn't always happen.)
Grocery shopping...I'm still trying to figure this one out!:) For the two years we were at GW I did not have to grocery shop, it was done for me! How awesome is that!! But while I was there I longed for the days that I could by my own groceries, food we wanted. HA. What was I thinking!? Anyway, enough of that. I have a list on the side of my fridge and whenever I notice I'm running low or out of something I right it down. I go to the store once a week. I don't buy for any specific meal in mind, I just stock my pantry with certain things I use. Of course if I need something special I'll get it (as long as it's in the budget). For example, canned goods...I like to always have it, so when my supply gets lower I buy a couple more to replenish. I used to deplete it, then have to buy 4 or so at a time which would then take away from other things I needed to buy that week. Is this making sense? It does in my head:) Another bonus to doing it this way is if we decided to spur of the moment have company, I have food. I guess what I'm saying is I used to wait till everything was depeleted then go to the store. By doing that you will have a much larger grovery bill, and as you near the end it's hard to find things to eat or make becuase you don't have much of anything left.
I've been wanting to get back into couponing. So, I've been working on that this week. There is a wonderful website called moneysavingmom.com and there I discovered that I could sign up for email store deal alerts. I pick the stores I go to and then when the weekly ad comes out or some other sale, I get an email. On this website it will also break deals down for me, say crest is on sale, then if you use a coupon (and sometimes there's a link to print that off), it will only cost this much. So, I've checked the ads and made a list for HyVee and attached those coupons to the list, and so on for whatever other stores. I have not gone to the store yet, I typically go at the begining of the week and at night with NO kids.
Well, I don't know about you, but I have enjoyed boring you all with my crazy organizing disorder/blessing:)) This also marks the end of our spring break, kinda sad that I'm gonna have to get up earlier again:(
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring Break, Part 3
Today I had planned on talking about grocery shopping/meal planning, but my head is swimming with thoughts of clothes. Why clothes? Because today the kids and I are doing the dreaded chore of going through spring/summer clothes. So, tomorrow I will talk about grocery shopping.
This job really isn't that bad, it's just once I start I can't stop till it's completed becuase I don't want my house to be taken over by piles of clothes everywhere (and Naomi would just scatter them all over the house). I store all the clothes in beautiful plastic containers (I love containers of any kind) with labels. The label is just an index card taped to the container, I right the child's name with a Sharpie. If need be, I have seperate containers for summer and winter. That way you avoid dragging out every piece of clothing they own! Yesterday we went through the closets (the girl's dresses) and pulled out what didn't fit, they didn't like, etc. I had a goodwill pile, too big pile (which I would then place in their container for when they grow into it), or too small pile (which I would put into the next child's container).
In the past I would have every child come into the living room at the same time and try on their clothes and sort it out into piles, just for the sake of time. I have learned that I can not handle this and I have to do one child at a time. To do otherwise makes me want to cover my ears and run out of the room screaming! Nothing frazzles me more than 5 kids talking to me at the same time about different things! So, one at a time.
Just this year I discovered what a perfect time to do this. It's spring break, so they are all home and we have all day! It's also right before the S.S. Easter Program (they want to wear springy stuff)and the older girl's choir concert. Funny story about that...for choir they have to wear black pants/skirt and their shirt is provided. As Rachel and I were going through her closet yesterday she pulls out her black pants that don't fit anymore (she has had them for a couple years, it's amazing they lasted that long). I start to panic, the concert is Sunday and she doesn't have black pants. Which means I'm gonna have to drag the kids all over Quincy in search of black pants. How easy do you think it is to find black pants at the begining of spring!? Then, I remembered I had a black skirt in my closet (ya know, the one that hasn't fit me in years, but I hang onto it just in case). It fit her! Yeah, no shopping trip!! That also put into perspective for me that I will probably never fit into that skirt again:( I try to tell myself that I am blessed that I could carry these children and deliver them because so many are not able to, but it's so hard to remember that EVERY day when I get dressed. I should probably just let go of those clothes, maybe. Funny how I started talking about the kids clothes which led into mine, HAHA.
Well, the kids are hungry so I guess it's time to head to the kitchen for breakfast. That makes me smile...we were just talking about clothes not fitting, and now...let's eat! Who's hungry??
This job really isn't that bad, it's just once I start I can't stop till it's completed becuase I don't want my house to be taken over by piles of clothes everywhere (and Naomi would just scatter them all over the house). I store all the clothes in beautiful plastic containers (I love containers of any kind) with labels. The label is just an index card taped to the container, I right the child's name with a Sharpie. If need be, I have seperate containers for summer and winter. That way you avoid dragging out every piece of clothing they own! Yesterday we went through the closets (the girl's dresses) and pulled out what didn't fit, they didn't like, etc. I had a goodwill pile, too big pile (which I would then place in their container for when they grow into it), or too small pile (which I would put into the next child's container).
In the past I would have every child come into the living room at the same time and try on their clothes and sort it out into piles, just for the sake of time. I have learned that I can not handle this and I have to do one child at a time. To do otherwise makes me want to cover my ears and run out of the room screaming! Nothing frazzles me more than 5 kids talking to me at the same time about different things! So, one at a time.
Just this year I discovered what a perfect time to do this. It's spring break, so they are all home and we have all day! It's also right before the S.S. Easter Program (they want to wear springy stuff)and the older girl's choir concert. Funny story about that...for choir they have to wear black pants/skirt and their shirt is provided. As Rachel and I were going through her closet yesterday she pulls out her black pants that don't fit anymore (she has had them for a couple years, it's amazing they lasted that long). I start to panic, the concert is Sunday and she doesn't have black pants. Which means I'm gonna have to drag the kids all over Quincy in search of black pants. How easy do you think it is to find black pants at the begining of spring!? Then, I remembered I had a black skirt in my closet (ya know, the one that hasn't fit me in years, but I hang onto it just in case). It fit her! Yeah, no shopping trip!! That also put into perspective for me that I will probably never fit into that skirt again:( I try to tell myself that I am blessed that I could carry these children and deliver them because so many are not able to, but it's so hard to remember that EVERY day when I get dressed. I should probably just let go of those clothes, maybe. Funny how I started talking about the kids clothes which led into mine, HAHA.
Well, the kids are hungry so I guess it's time to head to the kitchen for breakfast. That makes me smile...we were just talking about clothes not fitting, and now...let's eat! Who's hungry??
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Spring Break, Part 2
Oops, I just about forgot I was doing this. (HEHE) Well, I don't know about you, but I have absolutely no idea what I did today! Oh well, the sun is out and it's warm...that's all that matters.
Today I thought I would talk about after school chaos:) Honestly, I think that the time the kids get home from school till they go to bed is the absolute craziest. So, I've been working on different ways to make that less stressful, and I think I have it about as close as it will ever be...or atleast until I have a personal assistant that does everything for me. (I'm still waiting for that one).
The first thing I had to change was my to-do list. Whatever I didn't get done before they came home would have to wait till another day. I do not try to work on anything I want to during after school hours (unless of course they are all being angels and everything is going smoothly).
When they get home they have a snack first thing. They are always very hungry when they get home!
Those that have homework start it, and those that don't get to play. This continues on through dinner prep time. For some reason, this is when my living room turns into Bonker's (for those that don't know, that's an indoor fun center in Quincy). When I'm in the right mood I can let this go, but sometimes in order for me to stay sane I have Rachel read a book to the other kids.
After dinner, the kids clean up! Jacob clears the table, Heidi takes out trash, Rachel and Becca alternate weekly washing and drying the dishes and sweeping the floor. Don't worry, Nemion has a job too...he sets the table. So, during this time Adam and I sit in the living room and talk and play with the little ones. Now, it hasn't always been this way. When they were too little to wash dishes I would wash them (we don't have a dishwasher:)). I enjoyed this time because Adam would take all the kids out of the kitchen and play with them elsewhere. Ahh, quiteness:)
After dish jobs the kids pack their lunches for school. The older two help the younger two.
Wednesday nights can be hectic trying to make it to church on time. So, I moved the kids' bath nights around to make it sooo much easier. They now bath/shower on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (unless needed some other time). Alot less stressful that way.
I have also learned that if I want the kids in bed by 8:00p., then we need to start getting ready at 7:30.
Once the kids are in bed, this is mine and Adam's time together! We look forward to this time everyday. With 6 kids it is challenging trying to get away often for a date, but thankfully we have this time together every night!!
Today I thought I would talk about after school chaos:) Honestly, I think that the time the kids get home from school till they go to bed is the absolute craziest. So, I've been working on different ways to make that less stressful, and I think I have it about as close as it will ever be...or atleast until I have a personal assistant that does everything for me. (I'm still waiting for that one).
The first thing I had to change was my to-do list. Whatever I didn't get done before they came home would have to wait till another day. I do not try to work on anything I want to during after school hours (unless of course they are all being angels and everything is going smoothly).
When they get home they have a snack first thing. They are always very hungry when they get home!
Those that have homework start it, and those that don't get to play. This continues on through dinner prep time. For some reason, this is when my living room turns into Bonker's (for those that don't know, that's an indoor fun center in Quincy). When I'm in the right mood I can let this go, but sometimes in order for me to stay sane I have Rachel read a book to the other kids.
After dinner, the kids clean up! Jacob clears the table, Heidi takes out trash, Rachel and Becca alternate weekly washing and drying the dishes and sweeping the floor. Don't worry, Nemion has a job too...he sets the table. So, during this time Adam and I sit in the living room and talk and play with the little ones. Now, it hasn't always been this way. When they were too little to wash dishes I would wash them (we don't have a dishwasher:)). I enjoyed this time because Adam would take all the kids out of the kitchen and play with them elsewhere. Ahh, quiteness:)
After dish jobs the kids pack their lunches for school. The older two help the younger two.
Wednesday nights can be hectic trying to make it to church on time. So, I moved the kids' bath nights around to make it sooo much easier. They now bath/shower on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (unless needed some other time). Alot less stressful that way.
I have also learned that if I want the kids in bed by 8:00p., then we need to start getting ready at 7:30.
Once the kids are in bed, this is mine and Adam's time together! We look forward to this time everyday. With 6 kids it is challenging trying to get away often for a date, but thankfully we have this time together every night!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Spring Break
This week my kids are off of school, due to 'spring break'. I am so excited to not have to get kids ready and off to school in the morning for a full week!! So, I thought I would take this week to post a special series. I absolutely love to organize...my house, our schedules, ANYTHING! So, everyday this week I'm going to post what/how I do things. Not at all to sound as if I have everything figured out, but just to share how I do things and maybe someone will be inspired by an idea. I have gotten some ideas from people that have helped me alot. So, I hope to be able to do the same for someone else.
Cleaning will be the first subject to tackle. Weekly cleaning (such as dusting, vacuuming, etc.) is done every Friday. I picked that day because my kids don't have school on that day and they are here to help. (If your children are still too young to help, I feel your pain.) I also created a 'cleaning book' which I've posted about before. It has worked wonderfully!
I do not spring clean, the thought of it totally stresses me out! So, I took an idea from flylady.com. She broke her house down into zones. Each week she works on a different zone for 15 minutes a day. You start off by decluttering, once that's done you can start on the cleaning. I just printed her lists off of her website then tweeked it where needed. There are 5 different zones, so this goes over the course of 5 weeks and whatever you don't get done in that week you can tackle the next time it comes around. If you are easily distracted or get caught up in a task and lose track of time (like me) then you can set a timer.
The bathroom is a stresser for me. With many little ones in there everyday getting ready it always looks as if the tube of toothpaste exploded in the sink. So, whenever it looks gross and bothers me (which is every morning after they are off to school)...i just do a quick wipe down. This is where those very handy cleaning wipes are wonderful. Aww, much better:)
I will also, usual on Wednesday, dust and vacuum the living room. Nothing major just a little something to make it look better. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but a couple days after cleaning everything is really dusty again! I will also, wash my floors. Okay, I'll be honest...I don't do it every week. There I said it:)
Okay, so to recap...it sounds like alot but really it's not. Each day I wipe down the bathroom (and I'm talking sinks and mirrors, nothing else) it takes me a couple minutes, I spend 15 minutes working on a zone, and on Friday's we clean. Well, there's my cleaning in a nutshell, I hope it's been helpful.
Cleaning will be the first subject to tackle. Weekly cleaning (such as dusting, vacuuming, etc.) is done every Friday. I picked that day because my kids don't have school on that day and they are here to help. (If your children are still too young to help, I feel your pain.) I also created a 'cleaning book' which I've posted about before. It has worked wonderfully!
I do not spring clean, the thought of it totally stresses me out! So, I took an idea from flylady.com. She broke her house down into zones. Each week she works on a different zone for 15 minutes a day. You start off by decluttering, once that's done you can start on the cleaning. I just printed her lists off of her website then tweeked it where needed. There are 5 different zones, so this goes over the course of 5 weeks and whatever you don't get done in that week you can tackle the next time it comes around. If you are easily distracted or get caught up in a task and lose track of time (like me) then you can set a timer.
The bathroom is a stresser for me. With many little ones in there everyday getting ready it always looks as if the tube of toothpaste exploded in the sink. So, whenever it looks gross and bothers me (which is every morning after they are off to school)...i just do a quick wipe down. This is where those very handy cleaning wipes are wonderful. Aww, much better:)
I will also, usual on Wednesday, dust and vacuum the living room. Nothing major just a little something to make it look better. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but a couple days after cleaning everything is really dusty again! I will also, wash my floors. Okay, I'll be honest...I don't do it every week. There I said it:)
Okay, so to recap...it sounds like alot but really it's not. Each day I wipe down the bathroom (and I'm talking sinks and mirrors, nothing else) it takes me a couple minutes, I spend 15 minutes working on a zone, and on Friday's we clean. Well, there's my cleaning in a nutshell, I hope it's been helpful.
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