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Family Summer Bucket List from Positively Splendid

By on June 10, 2011 in Busy Mom Living The Dream, DIY, Survival Guide for Busy Moms

Even the most organized moms are put to the test come the last week of school, especially if you have three children at three different schools like I do.

family summer bucket list cards

Family Summer Bucket List Idea Cards by Tatertots & Jello on Positively Splendid

So, as I stood looking at the sign-up sheet for my pre-K daughters end of school year party, only two openings were available- “condiments” or “party giveaway bags“.

It’s decision time.

Do I go for the easy sign-up to bring a bottle of ketchup and ranch dressing?  How simple and smart that would be!

Or, do I sign up for the most difficult task of creating and assembling gift bags?  Part of me (the logical me) really wants to make life easy and sign up to bring condiments.

Condiments or party bags?

Condiments?  Or, party bags?

Condiments.

Or…. party bags?

How predictable I am.  Yes, I signed up for the most complicated item.

And, of course, the party crept up on me out of nowhere and left me scrambling at the 11th hour to put something together.

So, it was me and every other haggard mother at Michaels come 8:00 p.m. the night before looking for last-minute items to fulfill some self-inflicted obligation for kids school parties or teacher gifts.

And I can’t even keep this task simple by just throwing some candy in a bag with a bow.  Even that would be pretty simple.

I had to think of a theme.

So, as I wandered around the store praying for some inspiration, it was then that I remembered a fabulous Family Summer Bucket List idea by Tatertots & Jello featured on Positively Splendid blog.

family summer bucket list

By printing and cutting out these adorable summer ideas and placing a few in each bag or bucket, all I had to do was purchase items to go along with ideas like: “Write and Act In A Play”, “Have A Lemonade Stand” and “Plant A Garden”.  There are actually three pages of ideas to choose from.

Family Summer Bucket List from Toni Spilsbury

So, I purchased items like sidewalk chalk, mini squirt guns, notepad & pen, garden seeds, lemonade mix, etc.  And, yes, I threw in some Starburst candy.

Kids Summer Ideas from Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook

Thank you Tatertots & Jello and Positively Splendid for the inspiration.  I think I’ll be using this Family Summer Bucket List at home this summer as well.  Adorable idea!

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DIY Teacher Gifts

By on June 6, 2011 in DIY, Survival Guide for Busy Moms

DIY Chalkboard Frames

Coming up with ideas for teacher gifts at the end of the school years gets more challenging for me.  I love DIY gifts and wanted something functional for the classroom.  With a little chalkboard paint (my new best friend), we created these adorable mini chalkboards.

DIY chalkboard frames from Toni Spilsbury The Organized Cook

No, I don’t homeschool- it’s completely coincidental that Brooke’s preschool teacher this year is named Toni

 

DIY Teacher Gifts by Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook

DIY Teacher Gifts using Chalkboard Paint

 

I found some decorative inexpensive frames at HomeGoods.  Then I removed the glass and spray painted a couple coats of chalkboard paint on it, and placed it back in the frame after drying.

DIY Teacher Gifts by Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook

DIY Teacher Gifts- Chalkboard Frames

 

The kids can use chalk to write a “thank you” message to their teacher.

DIY chalkboard frames from Toni Spilsbury The Organized Cook

 

I love how these mini chalkboards came out.  We had some wonderful teachers this year and these frames will look so cute sitting in their classrooms next year.

DIY chalkboard frame from Toni Spilsbury The Organized Cook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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May 2011 Calendar: Download and Print

By on May 1, 2011 in Survival Guide for Busy Moms

Happy Mother’s Day to my fellow busy moms!  Enjoy a May calendar to print and hang or fold into your wallet.

To download: click here

The Organized Cook May Calendar for Busy Moms

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Spring Into Clean

By on April 29, 2011 in Survival Guide for Busy Moms

What is “Spring Cleaning”?

I’ve now read so many blogs and articles about spring cleaning, you would think I’m now an “expert” on the matter.  However, I’ve determined that it’s really individualized.

To some, it’s the mere act of catching up on neglected housework throughout the year.  For others (like me), it’s the task of going through the old to make way for the new by sorting, organizing, storing, donating and tossing.  And still for many, it’s the annual chore list of scrubbing, dusting, shining and painting that has become family tradition.

Spring Into Clean Spring Cleaning

Spring Into Clean

What is “Spring Cleaning”?

I’ve now read so many blogs and articles about spring cleaning, you would think I’m now an “expert” on the matter.  However, I’ve determined that it’s really individualized.

To some, it’s the mere act of catching up on neglected housework throughout the year.  For others (like me), it’s the task of going through the old to make way for the new by sorting, organizing, storing, donating and tossing.  And still for many, it’s the annual chore list of scrubbing, dusting, shining and painting that has become family tradition.

So how do I break it down to determine what “spring cleaning” means to me?  That is the question.  This year I decided to give it some thought rather than artificially make the day special by slapping the label “spring” onto something I do all the time- “clean”.

As always, getting out the old pencil and paper is how I begin my journey to the answer.

And here it is.

As a busy mom of four, I often say that taking care of kids is one job while taking care of their things is another.  So, I take one day- without the kids– to go through their things, store, toss and donate.  Pack up or give away Fall/Winter clothes making way for Spring/Summer clothes, organize toys, artwork, etc.  This chore I will call “Spring Organizing”.

Spring Organizing then makes way for “Spring Cleaning”.  And I agree with all the articles out there that boast the benefits of having children involved in this all-day spoon-full-of-sugar event.  My 7-year old daughter actually loves any chore related to sorting and organizing and jumps for joy when I mention the words, “clean_out_garage”- really.

Toni’s Tips For Spring Organizing

  1. Schedule it and find a day without kids
  2. Have a written plan: kids closets, toy room, garage, etc.
  3. Use the “three bin rule”: have storage bins or boxes ready and labeled:  “Keep“, “ Give“, “Toss”  Click here for free downloadable.
  4. Have one “Memory Box” for each child with their name to store items that are too precious to throw away
  5. Have label machine ready.  Label everything!
Spring Organizing Tips from Toni Spilsbury

Spring Organizing Tips from Toni Spilsbury

 

Toni’s Tips For Spring Cleaning

  1. Schedule it for you and each family member involved
  2. Go through each room in advance and make a list of every cleaning chore
  3. Divide chore list
  4. Make supply buckets for each person
  5. Create incentives.  Make a game out of it with prizes and a fun family event grand prize

 

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Manic Monday Giveaway for a Spring Cleaning Fashionable Gift Set!  Click here for details.

Spring Cleaning Fashionable Gift Set

Manic Monday Giveaway: Spring Cleaning Fashionable Gift Set

Here is my favorite and most helpful article on the topic of “spring cleaning” by Sarah Aguirre at About.com: A Spring Cleaning Extravaganza.

 

 

 

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