Organized Clean Up

I don't remember when or where I saw this tip, but it's a great one!  Take a large basket (think medium sized laundry basket) and carry it from room to room as you clean.  Place anything that does not belong in that room into your basket.  Then carry your basket into the next room to be cleaned and remove the items that belong in that room.  Again, as you clean place items that don't belong in the room into your basket.  Repeat as you go from room to room.

I'm not sure about everyone else here, but that should save me a ton of time -- and help keep me focused.  How many times do you grab that pencil off the table and walk it into the kitchen (or office, or wherever it belongs) only to get distracted and start doing something else in the new room?  The process just keeps repeating itself until none of the rooms you planned on cleaning ever get finished (or it takes you hours to clean the house)! 

This way, you stay in the room and complete it before moving on to the next.  By the end of your cleaning, all that should be left in your basket are the items from the last room that you picked up.  Simply bring them to their respective "homes" and you're finished!  Now, I'm going to go buy myself a little laundry basket...

My yarn ball experience

I got this idea from www.addictedtohomes.blogspot.com. They got there's from a Home and Gardens magazine. I loved it and wanted to try it for myself. Couple of things I learned while making this.

1. Use different size Styrofoam balls.
2. Use a thick yarn.
3. Don't think that a simple knot will hold the yarn on the ball. Dab a little hot glue on the knot for added support.

 I used an old but still nice Christmas wreath. I just cut off the holly berries so it could be used year round. This project was fun to do and I think I will even add more yarn balls one of these days. Thanks Melanie for the idea!

Chores

I have so many friends who wonder how I get my kids to do chores at ages 5 and 7.  It's easy - well some of the time.  The key is to start as early as possible!

As soon as your toddler learns to walk, they can start to help clean up.  Have them pick things up off the floor and bring it to you or show them where the items belong.  Teach your kids to pick up their messes when they are finished playing, or have a set clean up time during the day.  Gradually, make the chores more difficult, or complicated.  Transition your toddler from cleaning up with assistance, to picking up small groups alone.  I used to tell my daughter to just pick up the dirty clothes and tell me when she was finished.  Then, we would move onto the next group (baby dolls, ponies, trash, etc) until the whole room was finished.  By the time they are 2 or 3, the child should be able to pick up most of their room on their own. 

Make clean up fun.  Little kids love to help.  Give them a rag and have them wipe the table or kitchen sink.  Let them put away the clean dishes that they can reach.  Gradually work them up by adding a little at a time.  Eventually, they will be doing those dishes and wiping off that table all by themselves!

Be prepared to modify your cleaning routines to fit them.  For the older kids, instead of carrying around a big bucket and rag mop, get a spray bottle filled with your favorite cleaner (we use Pine Sol), and teach the kids to spray the floor and mop with a pre-dampened mop.  My kids have a really hard time with a broom.  We have purchased a Shark vaccuum/steam mop.  This way, they can vaccuum the hard floors and mop them.  I go through with the broom every couple of days to make sure we get anything they missed.

Provide incentives.  We have used multiple systems over the years, from pom-pom jars to sticker charts to smart phone apps.  Whatever motivates your kids is worth it.  Whatever you decide works for your family is great (even a Friday night movie night, or something simple).

Anyone have other suggestions?

Rag Wreaths

 Last week I made two rag wreaths.

Flower rag wreath

Start with an old picture frame. I used a 8x10 wooden frame. Wrap a long strip of fabric around the frame until all the frame is covered and glue to secure. Next glue the flowers on. At this point you need to cut strips of fabric to the size you want. I used thin cream fabric. Tie each strip around the frame in-between the flowers. Knot to secure. Last you add a ribbon to the top for it to hang. I was short one flower on the bottom and will have to glue that one on whenever I make my way to the Hobby Lobby.

 Rag wreath

I made this one for my daughter. Again I used a wooden 8x10 frame. I cut out two different fabrics in strips. one was a light pink corduroy and the other was a dark pink thin fabric. I alternated the fabrics to form a pattern, tying each one with a knot. Do this until all the frame is covered. Next I glued a bow and flower to the bottom front and attached a thick ribbon to the top to hang. I hung it from her curtain rod.

Quote of the day

America cannot continue to lead the family of nations around the world if we suffer the collapse of the family here at home. -Mitt Romney

ORGANIZE THAT PANTRY!

 Lets talk labels. Making labels has got to be one of the easiest ways to organize your kitchen cupboards or pantries. I used Print Shop to make mine but you can just buy the labels and use a marker to identify your items. Containers are very inexpensive and can be purchased at many home, discount or warehouse stores.

Getting the kids "stuff" out of the "junk drawer" maybe a lifesaver for you moms when homework time rolls around. It is so much nicer when the kids know where their things are!