Home organization progress

A while back, I posted a desperate plea for housekeeping ideas and many of you came through! I did find it interesting, however, that the only people who posted tips were ones who have either zero children or one very small child. Why do you think that is? OH, of course, it's because no one with more than that actually has housekeeping down to a science, hahahaha! Good to know I'm not alone, I guess.

Well, I have made some progress, so I thought I'd share a little update.

One realization I came to its that its very easy to keep the accumulation of stuff from taking control in two places--my kitchen and my closet. This is because I don't have an abundance of space in those two areas. My kitchen is on the small side. It's sufficient space, but not huge, so it's easy for me to clean out when I can't close a drawer and it's easy to resist buying more kitchen gadgets that I know I don't have a spot for.

Likewise, I do not have a walk-in closet. Casey and I have two standard-sized closets in our room and we each have a dresser, so when I can't close drawers, or I run out of hangers, or things are falling onto the closet floor because it's over-stuffed, it's time to clean out and I do it pretty often.

ON THE OTHER HAND, the rest of our house has ample space for everything! It's not huge by 2011 standards, but it's on the big end of houses circa 1969 :) We have a basement, I have two linen closets, three bathrooms with storage space, a garage, a dining room and eat-in kitchen, a living room and a den. Because there truly is a place for everything, more and more things sneak into the house without much monitoring.

Don't get me wrong, we weed out pretty often and take a bunch of stuff to Savers at least once a month (it's how I get my 20% off coupons, ha!) Anyway, a few weeks ago, my mother-in-law was here and I started the oven on fire. So we cleaned it. Which led to her helping me clean out some kitchen drawers too. Which took me later that week to the pantry, the basement toy storage, the coat closet, the kids' rooms and my fabric stash. After that, Casey took a huge car-load to Savers to donate and boy, did it feel good!!!! I estimate that I got rid of at least a third of the kids' toys, stuffed animals and dress-up clothes. Then, they helped me organize the remaining toys into our clear plastic tubs in the basement.

The following week, I got sick. I had laryngitis and tried to simply keep on top of the basic mess. AND BOY, WAS I SURPRISED! At the end of the week, I realized how much easier staying on top of clutter had been because there was simply less stuff to deal with! As an added bonus, the kids can actually find their things and so they are actually playing with their things. It's nice. Ever since, I've been very careful in my shopping and Christmas planning, because I really don't want a huge amount of toys coming in over Christmas and our two winter birthdays.

So, as a homeschooling, stay-at-home family, we probably still have more "stuff" than the average family might (not to mention our hobbies!), but I think it's more under control now than it's been in awhile. I did come across this site, Organizing Made Fun, which is quite inspirational! I found her tips and photos and ideas pretty helpful through my clean-out process.

Now I feel that I need to work out a cleaning schedule for myself. You know, bathrooms, floors, etc... What does your schedule look like? If you don't have a cleaning schedule, do you do something else that works? How much time do you budget for cleaning each day?  Right now, I kinda just look around, see what needs done and do it within a day or two. I'd love more ideas!

Costumes are sooo much fun!!

I love making costumes. They are a chance to do over-the-top sewing and they sure do make the kids super happy :)  We went to our church harvest party last night and loaded up on fun and treats.  I was glad when it was finally time, because the kids pestered the heck out of me all day long about putting on their costumes and going to the party! So, I let them wear them a few hours early so we could have a little photo shoot.

Natalie was Silvermist from the Tinkerbell movies...

Layla wanted to be an angel. Not much of a leap for her because she is such a sweetie :)

And, one of the most awesome costumes I've ever made:

Kelby looked SO cool. This was a no sew project (actually, I did sew the Velcro onto the back of his shirt--the jet pack had matching stick-on Velcro).  I just bought white sweats and a bunch of felt, then made a huge, fun mess studying a Buzz toy, cutting out the pieces and hot gluing them on. For the hat I used the hood on a batman pattern and the jet pack is a piece of foam core. See?

And check it out, our little friend Jamie showed up as Woody! So cute!

I wasn't going to be anything because I didn't think I had time (I wanted to make a poodle skirt), but on Sunday, I thought, "Well, I could throw on my apron, at least". That turned into a quick search for a chef hat tutorial, which I found here, and I whipped one up Monday morning.

That's my mom as "Super Granny" and Casey is three-hole-punch Jim. If you are a fan of The Office, you will get it :)

bring it on!

Anyone want to guess what the adult form of croup is? It's laryngitis. I bet you can guess how I know that, right? I have it and it is NO fun. On the up side, I have learned how much my kids actually do hear me when I'm talking quietly. And how, when they're yelling for me from another floor of the house and I can't answer, they will actually come and find me to ask their question face to face, which is so much nicer than being yelled at :)

Today we woke up to a winter wonderland outside! Yesterday was beautiful. The kids played outside with no jackets yesterday morning. Then, today, there's this out my front window:

It seems fitting, then, that my Christmas shopping and sewing has officially begun. The first of my ordered gifts arrived today and I have been plugging away on this year's ornaments! I decided on Matryoshka dolls this time and they are turning out super cute.

It's fun looking back on ornaments from past years.

The sea horses of 2011 (definitely one of my faves):

Boots from 2010:

Cupcakes from 2009:

And the birdies that started it all:

I'm getting excited to get them all out again!! First things first, though, I know. Halloween on Monday, yay! We will be going to our church's Harvest Festival and then handing out all the candy we get there to the trick or treaters back here. I know, tricky Mommy ;) I can't wait to show you how the costumes turned out. I think Buzz, especially, is going to be spectacular :)

family pics and random videos

We got it together enough yesterday to take some pictures of ourselves with my self timer. I really wanted this to happen before all the leaves go away! So, I quickly gathered some outfits and did everyone's hair and out we went. I am semi-happy with how they turned out. The only thing is, something small is wrong about pretty much all of them. Someone's not smiling, or someone's eyes are half shut, or someone is hiding behind someone else. But, that's okay :)

I'll start with my fave...

I super love this one!!! And, my MOM took it!!! Nice work, Mom :)

And, just for fun...

So, if you'd like to help me pick a favorite family photo, I'd love the help :)

Change of subject, but I'm a little excited about this!



Looks like it could be good!! Can it be, a non-teen-soap fro ABC?! Shocker!

Also, I'm loving the lyrics of this song lately. What a great reminder! Do it all for His glory.


And, my latest favorite song (Shane and Shane's new album is GREAT!)

Another plunker

I was looking through the new McCall's patterns online last night because they're on sale this week at JoAnn and just HAD to share this one!

Just in case the humor here is unclear, here's the line drawing photo...

See!? You mean, I can make matching footie P.J.'s for my WHOLE FAMILY!!!! GET OUT!!!!!!!!!! BAHAHAHAHA!!!!

I feel seriously bad for the man on the pattern envelope. He must have felt like a complete idiot wearing that. Can you get any less masculine than man-sized toddler p.j.'s? Just picturing Casey in a set of these has me dissolving into giggles.

On a not-so-funny note, my kids have croup. Booo. We ended up in the ER with all three of them last night. We got home at 1a.m. Double boooo. But, they were treated and are still sleeping--double YAY! Poor babies :(

Adventures of the Rookie Homeschooler! Online Resources

I do have more actual book-in-hand resources to share, but I have also found some really great free online resources that I've found some very helpful things on, so I want to take a minute to share the wealth with you today :)

First up, this blog is written for children and explores some of the most unique and interesting of God's creatures. It's called I Spy Animals  and the kids and I have spent lots of time there reading fun facts and looking at the amazing photographs. Just today, we were glued to this Jellyfish post. Isn't this AMAZING!? 

What a great reason to talk about God's creativity!

Another great online resource is the free downloads page at Teacherspayteachers.com.  This is a site where teachers everywhere can design and post all kinds of printable materials. You can find anything and everything on this site. Just today I downloaded this Pumpkins on a vine activity and enjoyed making the little book with the girls. 

Which brings me #3: The pumpkin activity was created by Musing of Me, whose blog I subscribe to because of all her amazing printables! Some are free and some are for sale, but not expensive for a whole unit study on a fun subject. 

Another great blog I subscribe to for the same reason is Crazy for First Grade. This is a school teacher, but most of her resources are very homeschool friendly. 

Pinterest has provided some great ideas too! You can find and follow my "Homeschooling" board here. 

I pinned this jackolantern craft there a few days ago, after I saw them on Deep Space Sparkle Art lessons for kids (a great resource for art projects with basic supplies and searchable by grade). I can't wait to make these next week!

That's all for now! All this linking takes a lot of time :)

But I'll post more as I find them. 

Cheers! 

Baby Bedding phase 1 complete!!!

I finished the pink bedding for my friend's baby girl, Valentina. I think it turned out really beautiful!

Think she likes it??

Elizabeth picked all the fabrics. She has beautiful taste, this is seriously a bed fit for a princess!

I'm going to get started on the blue set right away, for her little brother. Isn't he PRECIOUS!?

But first, I'm working up a storm on Kelby's Buzz costume. Literally, it looks like a felt tornado hit my dining room table. It's SO much fun, though! :)

Better late than never

So, not everything I make works out. Some things end up in the thrift store bag, after sitting in my closet for awhile because I'm not willing to admit that my hard work just doesn't look great on me :) But, I have a small closet, so the things I don't wear or don't love just have to go.

I made this several months ago and until today, I thought it was going to be one of those things.

(Side note, how do I manage to get sun flare like that in my photo when I'm NOT trying??)

I wasn't in love with this top and there are still a few things I'm not thrilled with, but I had this awesome Ann Taylor skirt (a thrift store find) hanging in my closet with no top to go with it and so I put these two things together this morning with a cute tan cardigan over it all and ya know what? I think it's a keeper after all!  Actually, I think I might try this pattern again, but the version with sleeves...and a lower bust line...and in a knit :)

The pattern is Simplicity 2409 and you can read my review of it here.

I made a Cynthia Rowley dress recently (this one) that I plan on wearing this weekend maybe. I've been holding off because I have my eye on some great black boots that are finally on sale and for which I finally received a coupon in my inbox :)

Speaking of Cynthia Rowley's patterns, am I the only person that thinks this latest design is a total fail??

I haven't seen anything this dowdy looking in a really long time.  The top part could be okay, especially that sleeveless version, but the skirt! WHAT? I don't think I know anyone who could pull this off. Heck, the model isn't even pulling it off.  She looks like she's headed to a prairie days festival. And, does any woman really want to emphasize her GUT like this??

I just don't get it. Am I wrong? What do you think?? Do designers sometimes forget to keep what the the average woman wants to wear in mind? Do I sound like Nina Garcia now?? Ha!