How to Organize your Own Summer Ready Program

Summer is such a great time to get outdoors and do things.  However,  it is nice for the kids to practice their reading skills and learn new things.  This is especially handy for rainy days.  It is also a great boredom buster.  If the kids are looking for something to do then can pull out their notebook and find an activity to do.  They also are excited for quiet time because they are working toward their prizes.  They can't wait to find some more time to read.  Here is a simple way to set up a reading program for your kids.  These are just some ideas so tailor yours for what will motivate your children to want to pick up a book this summer!

Base the number of books on your child's reading level.  When my eldest daughter reads to her siblings it counts for her and them.  When she reads longer chapter books I let her check off two circles.

You will need a notebook for each child, writing and coloring supplies.  Make a page for each month.  Also, have a separate page for the activities. Here's what to write on each page:

READING PAGES:
Month
Draw as many circles as the number of books you'd like your child to read (I do anywhere from 15-30 depending on age and/or reading ability)
Put a spot to mark date completed
Write what the reward will be

ACTIVITIES IDEAS:
2 Visits to the library over the summer
Do a craft
Attend Vacation Bible School
Attend a play or outdoor concert
Play a Game
Complete a 50 or 100 piece puzzle
Write a story
Complete a math worksheet
Build something with Legos
Go blueberry picking
Help a younger sibling with a task
Paint a picture
Learn to bake something (this could be with Grandma or a neighbor)
Plant and grow a vegetable in a small container
Visit the farmer's market
Act of service for neighbor or relative or at church
Teach a younger sibling somethings
Visit Beaver Creek Reserve
Trip to children's museum or other museum

I keep the monthly prizes small.  If possible the kids have the same monthly prize.  This causes the kids to cooperate.  Then start to work as team to get everyone's reading in.  Once all reading is done we can go redeem the prize as a family.  The final prize is awarded after all books have been read and activities completed.  This is a much grander prize.  It is specific to the child.  They get to choose.  I do put an expense cap on it however.  This is a good start for children to understand goal setting.

Ideas for monthly reading rewards:
Ice cream
Snack at the pool
New coloring book and markers
Sidewalk Chalk
Squirt Guns
Lunch at hot dog stand
Go to a movie
Extra rides at the fair

Program must be completed prior to first day of school.  We may also do our library's program along side our own.  My kids have lots of fun with this and I hope yours will as well!

Simple Staging: Getting Your House Ready to Sell

Happy Moving Month!  If you are short on time there are a few simple things you can do to get your home ready to sell.  The idea is for the home buyer to be able to see themselves living in your place.  Here are some ideas for you to get your house ship shape and on the market.

1)  PURGE YOUR STUFF!  Did I just type that yet again?  Yes. Yes I did.  If you JUST DID THIS you would be ahead of the game.  Most of us have overloaded houses.  Either pack some of it away (if you really must) or start getting rid of it.  Sell it or make a donation.  The last thing people want to walk into is a house with stuff everywhere.

2)  Basic Cleaning.  Just hit the high points before you have a showing.  Dust, wipe off counters, polish the stainless steel.  If you get rid of your extra stuff then you'll have less cleaning to do :). 

3) If you have time then ugly curtains, wallpaper and or paint make a change to these items.  If you need suggestions google it or ask your realtor.  They are in enough houses to know which ones people like.  Neutrals are safe to stick with. 

4)  Make your house smell nice.  Boiling lemons on the stove before hand is a nice touch.  Don't go overboard on this one.  Too powerful of smells can have the opposite effect you are hoping for.

5)  If possible remove your pet items.  Some people would prefer to buy a home that did not have pets living in it previously.

The bottom line is to keep it simple.  Create a home that is warm and inviting.  Having it organized and clean is a huge plus.  Good luck with selling your home!

 

Moving: How to Organize Your Packing

Packing properly and in an orderly fashion may take a little more time up front.  It also making unpacking once you arrive in your new place much more efficient.  Even if everything doesn't get unpacked right away you will still be able to find it when you need it!

SUPPLIES:

1)  Boxes and/or totes
2)  Packing tape
3)  Scissors
4)  Old towels, newspaper, paper towel or packing wrap for breakable items
5)  Index Cards (multiple colors if possible)
6)  Black and Red Sharpie
7)  Notebook with pen to take notes


TIPS FOR ORGANIZED PACKING:

1)  Go room by room.  Use a different color index card for each room.  Label room and contents and tape to the box.
2) Pack items you won't need like:  decor, knick knacks, books, holiday decor and stuff, off season clothing, toys.
3)  Make a survival box for each person and label it.  This box has 3-4 outfits, toothbrush, toiletries, lovies for kids and any other essentials.  Label these with a bright color and the person's name.  These boxes should go in your vehicle not in the moving van.
4)  Try to limit weight of boxes.
5)  Stack boxes in room until your moving day. 
6) Wrap breakable items in newspaper, bubble wrap or dish towels.
7)  Use boxes for lighter items and use totes for the heavy stuff.
8)  Put personal items and survival boxes in your vehicle.  This will make these things very accessible.

With just a little prep work and planning you can simplify your move.  Hopefully this will make your un-packing go smoother.  Have fund setteling into your new place!

Moving: How to Prep

Moving can really feel like an overwhelming task.  However, if you are willing to part with some things and organize what's left it can be a nice way to cut down on what you own.  Start the process by going room to room.

Make a list of the rooms you need to go through and check off when you are finished:

Bedroom(s)
Bathroom(s)
Kitchen
Living Room
Dining Room
Basement
Garage

1)  De-clutter and ruthlessly purge.  Here we are yet again with purging.  If you've been reading my blog you will see this theme OVER AND OVER again.  This is the biggie.  Gaining the skill of getting rid of extra stuff is going to become your friend.  Re-read my posts on purging to help with this.

2)  Sort items into categories.  Trash, donate and sell.  All items you plan to take with you go in the box.  If you are a month or so out from the move just pack items you don't need on a daily basis.  If you do start packing just make sure like items go into a box and are labeled.  You could also group items by the room they belong in.  You can used colored index cards with a color for each room or just write it in on the box.

3)  Evaluate big items.  Are they something you really use or just have sitting around the house just because?  Sell extra TVs, couches, chairs and dressers.  If they just take up space think of selling these items.  If its not useful or beautiful sell it.  That will leave lots more room in the moving van!


4)  If you have time hold a one day moving sale.  Donate everything else that doesn't sell.

If you can't start your packing until 2 weeks or the week before the move then just start with the de-cluttering process.  My next post will cover some ideas on organizing your pack.  I will include a list of supplies needed.  This will also help you organize so you know exactly where all your items are. It will hopefully make your move much less stressful and seemless.

 

Organizing Outdoor Toys

Summer is coming and most of us want our kids outdoors playing as much as possible.  So,  what toys encourage outdoor play?  Once I have those toys how should I organize them?  Let's face it.  With kids you will never get toys consistently organized and stay that way.  That's why the system for it has to be simple and reasonable.  It will not be fancy and that's ok.  First get rid of anything broken or that they don't play with.  Below is a short list of our favorite toys.  Once you purge the excess you'll be readyp to organize the remaining items.

Favorite Toys for Outside:

Lawnmower
Bubbles
Sidewalk chalk
Bug box and butterfly net
Squirt Guns
Football, basketball, soccer ball
Bat and Ball (possible catcher's mitt)
Bean Bag Toss
Badminton Set
Bike
Swing Set or tree swing
Sandbox with cover and sand toys
Shoebox for outside treasures they've found

Organizing System:

In the garage I have an oversized tote for toys.  All small toys and balls get thrown in here.  The bikes are lined up on the side of the garage for easy access.  And.That's.It.   I don't try to impress unrealistic expectations on the kids.  They have learned to pick up and take care of their things.  If I try to get any more sophisticated that this I will be stressed out about toy organization. No thanks. Keep it simple and they can take care of pick up themselves!

The End all Be all Room

This is the last stop shop.  For me its my laundry room.  Everything we are getting rid of goes here for sorting.  From there it is either donated, sold or stored.  Here are the sorting stations I have set up downstairs on our shelving units:

1)  Two totes for items to sell at kid's consignment store
2)  Box for items to donate
3)  Box for thrift sale stuff
4)  Totes for kid's next size clothing.  Pass down items go in these totes.
5)  Box for gifts.  When I find good deals these gift items are organized here until the event.
6)  Tote for baby items I am not ready to part with.
7)  Treasure tote for each child.  Lovies, favorite baby blanket, baptismal clothing/keepsakes, handmade items or gifts the kids are too young for go in their special tote.  Each child has one.  This will leave with them when they move out :(
8)  I use paper bags for items I am giving to other people.  I write their name on it and when its full I drop it off.  Usually its kids clothes I am not passing down so I pass them on to other little ones.  It could even be clothes I have borrowed and am now ready to return.

This has been a great system for organizing the items that are immediately or in the near future leaving our house.  Its in one central spot and keeps the rest of our house free of unmanageable clutter.

Pick an extra bedroom, laundry room or storage area in your home to set up shop. If you don't have existing shelving no biggie.  Just line up your sorting bins along a wall.  Use index cards to label them.  As long as its orderly that all that really matters.  Figure out which categories your need bins or boxes for and good luck sorting!

Client Project: Shared Office and Craft Space

My client was looking for help organizing two spaces within one room.  They also wanted a corner space for their boys to work on art projects while Mom and Dad got a few things done.  Specifically, they needed an office space for both of them as well as a craft center for her.  We worked our way from the office desk all the way around the room.  We started by clearing high spaces first and working our way down to the desk space.  Here are their before and after pictures.  We now have two organized and functional spaces.  One for being productive for bill paying and  Internet research.  The other a creative space for making crafts and homemade gifts.


BEFORE OFFICE:

AFTER OFFICE:

BEFORE CRAFT CENTER:

AFTER CRAFT CENTER:

We were able to de-clutter and organize the entire space in 2 1/2 hours and we did not spend any money.  We were able to work with what the clients already had in their home.  What a fun project that created a productive space for the entire family to work in!