WFMW-after school routines

(One of the boys who was part of the problem!)

My house this morning:

"It is time to head out the door boys!"

" Mom, I have two papers for you to sign."

"Mom did you put my homework in my backpack? I can't find it."

Me: " did you boys do your after school routine yesterday?"

boys: " uhmmm..."

Kids thrive on routine. Knowing what comes next. When they go to school, they know that they get in their line, walk to their class, put their backpack on the hook, put their lunch bag in their cubby...etc. They always know what to expect.

Our afternoon routine looks like this:

***put your backpack on your hook

***take your lunch bag out and put it on the kitchen counter

***eat a MOM APPROVED snack

*** give Mom your folder

***homework

**put everything back in your bag that needs to go in there

Of course, once after school clubs start, life will get busier and we may have to adjust. But for now, that's what works for me!

***For more great ideas, go check out We are THAT family!

blech...

With Back to School comes sharing. The sharing of germs, colds...Ugh. However, my kids haven't gone back yet!! So how my daughter got a cold, and has shared it with the rest of us, I don't know! I have been feeling under the weather today.

These are the kinds of days that makes me grateful for a full pantry and stocked freezer!

Want a quick and easy way to get some meals in the freezer?

The next time chicken goes on sale, STOCK UP! Whatever kind your family normally eats (breasts,thighs, drumsticks...)

Using coupons and sales, stock up on salad dressings and marinades.

When you return from the store, grab some ziplocs. Put the chicken in a bag using salad dressing as a marinade. Get as much air out as you can (without letting the marinade spill out everywhere!). Toss it in the freezer AFTER you have labeled the bag.

Let it thaw in the fridge all day and then grill it, bake it, throw it on a George Foreman or other indoor grill...and there you go! Add some rice or potatoes, a salad and there you are! Your very own marinated chicken. Yummo!

Also please make sure to enter my GIVEAWAY!You can find all of the info here

WFMW-planners

Posting this link to Works for me Wednesday over at WE ARE THAT FAMILY

I have two older sisters. And growing up, of course, I wanted to be just like them. They both organized their lives using a planner. When I would get bored in church, I would always look through their planners! (:

So I was raised with a planner in hand. I have never, ever found one that really truly works for me. Why? The squares just aren't big enough!! I write big. I make lists. I make notes. I plan menus. That little square just never has enough room.

My sweet husband bought me an ITouch to use as a PDA. But I am not very techy. So I use it for music, checking my email & facebook and playing Tetris. It doesn't work for me as a PDA because I forget it...ALOT. Usually at home plugged into my laptop.LOL

I finally discovered what works for me. I realize that this won't work for everyone, but it does for me.

I now carry a planner and a notebook. Yep. I have doubled up. I do carry a diaper bag so I don't have to worry about my purse being big enough.

I knew I needed a calender to keep track of appts. etc. But rarely, do I just need to know what day I have something. For example, today on my calender it says "E's field trip". What it doesn't say is, I volunteered to bring in a snack for his class and that the trip is $5.

So the calender portion stays next to my desk or goes to church and school with me. That way I can write down dates.

My notebook goes EVERYWHERE. To my bedroom, to the kitchen, to the living room. Next to the computer, in the car...

In here I write...a to do list for the day, (written out the night before...after checking my planner)what events, if any, and what they require. Example, "piano lessons at 3:30. Make sure to bring check to pay for this month. Also make sure all piano books and folder are brought in."

It has really worked for me. My notebook has 5 sections so I also use it to write lists, make menus etc. It keeps me organized and on track!

Also, there are still a couple days to enter my giveaway!If you are interested in winning a copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks you can go here

If you are interested in checking out more tips, head over to We Are That Family!

Works For Me Wednesday-ketchup packets

(my boys goofin' around at the food court one busy day in December)


Ooh I haven't participated forever! Glad to be doing this again. I am linking Works For Me Wed. over at We are THAT Family

When I was in highschool, I spent a lot of time at my best friends house. I still remember that every time they ate out, her Mom would keep anything leftover in the bag that wasn't used...packets for condiments, napkins, straws, silverware...whatever. She kept a container in her fridge with all those little packets in.

Now as a Mom making lunches every day, I keep all mine too! From ranch dressing to bbq sauce, ketchup etc. It is a great way to give your kids ketchup or whatever in their lunch bag. My son's friend always gives him the mustard packet out of his lunchable just so he can give it to me. How precious is that?!

My friend also gave me a fun tip. Whenever she has extra packets, she puts them in the freezer. When one of her kids has a small boo boo, but insists they need ice, she lets them put one of those on it. It is a good size for little hands and perfect when it is just a little ouch!

So keep those packets!

**I have read in frugal books/magazines suggesting that you go and take these from restaurants. I am not suggesting that. I am just saying if you have any left over AFTER purchasing a meal!**

***I am also having a GIVEAWAY for the Pioneer Woman Cooks. You can sign up here