All systems a GO!!

I'm a planner, a list-maker and love organization and systems of any kind. My friends may roll their eyes and yes sometimes my planning can go a little far and be more trouble than its worth but other times I get it right and it has the desired effect, to make my life run smoother, allow more time for important and fun stuff and I get to feel the sweet feeling of success! So here is a list of those things in my life, little things that make a big difference. Please share yours with me too.

Kids Toys

Kids toys accumulate while you are asleep, little elves come into your home, mix up the puzzles, undress the dolls and leave the toy box in disarray. But I am onto them! 

My toy system consists of a toy box in the lounge, (see below) and  an identical empty one in the girls room. Anything that seems to have lost its appeal gets thrown into the empty one, the lounge toy box never gets to the point of overflow and when the bedroom one is full I have a big sort, throw out broken stuff, find homes for missing puzzle pieces, discover the missing dolls sock etc

I also have a basket in the lounge for books and I rotate these with Bianca's bookshelf books once a week. I have a puzzle basket for Sienna and a drawer in the lounge which is home to Bianca's big girl puzzles, activity books and games.

Mail
My pet hate is opened envelopes and junk mail catalogues lying around. My laundry is through a curtain in my kitchen, in there I have a mail tray, I open mail throw out the envelope and lay all letters flat. Each evening I will read sort and throw away. Leaving things to accumulate on the lounge side cabinet or kitchen table is an absolute no no, even if you make one small pile it soon turns into a dumping ground.

Gift Cupboard
Something I started since I had Bianca is a gift cupboard mainly for children's parties. If I see a 50% off sale I might buy a few kiddies books or felt pens etc. I make sure I have it stocked with sellotape and wrapping paper for girls and boys. I also have a stock of generic birthday cards It has saved us heaps of time. Chris will say, we have been invited to such and such's birthday party (sometimes telling me the same day that its on!) and we dont have to  make an emergency dash into town.

Shopping List
Making a shopping list is an absolute must if you ask me, I would be lost without it. How I manage mine is to have a notebook which I write my weekly list in, I keep the old ones so I can refer to it easily for things we buy often. I also shop at the same supermarket and know the layout off by heart meaning I can write my list according to the order of aisles, this may seem over the top but believe me when I say it cuts the time it takes by nearly half!

Kids Clothes
Kids are constantly growing out of their clothes. I have a plastic container in Bianca's wardrobe which I throw anything in that she has grown out of, this saves her drawers being full of things that dont fit anymore. When the plastic container is full I go through it make a pile for the 'salvation army' and a pile to save for Sienna and I start with an empty container again.

I also have a drawer for both girls of new stuff I buy for next season. I love buying a year ahead as it saves so much money when you can get things in the 50% off sales, I like to have the clothes on hand to sort through, with a list so I can see what I have brought, that way I know when I have enough of one thing.

Stock Up
There are things that I hate running out of such as toilet paper, toothpaste, hand soap and laundry detergent. I have a pile of those necessities in my hallway cupboard. It is also handy for a week when you want to keep the grocery bill down, you can raid the cupboard. When things come on special I just buy an extra one or two.

Hooks
You can never have enough hooks in my opinion. I have hooks for keys, a hook for the nappy bag in the lounge, so its ready to put stuff in before I leave the house. I have ample hooks in the laundry to hang library bags, swimming bags and beach bags. Hooks behind the doors in the girls rooms for dressing gowns and their favourite sweatshirts and sun hats.

Drink Bottles
Kids always seem to want a glass of water at the most inconvenient times. I made the effort before Elias was born to organise drink bottles in the bottom shelf of the fridge. Now when the girls are thirsty they get there own bottle out and we also save on washing 20 cups a day.

Tips for Keeping a Clean House

I've had a couple of friends ask lately about my housework routine. Keeping a tidy house is something I am very passionate about. At times it is frustrating because with three small children it is impossible to keep it as spotless as I would like.. but in saying that I manage to keep on top of things by following a simple but effective routine with some golden rules and tips thrown in for good measure. Here are some of mine. Please let me know yours too, I'm always looking for new ideas.

Hallway Basket

I have little ones who drag heaps of bits and pieces from their rooms into the living area during the day so I have a basket down the end of your hallway to throw things into it that are underfoot then I re home stuff in one go at the end of the evening just before the girls go to bed.

Clean As You Go

My golden rule is tidy as I go and I try to teach the girls the same philosophy with their toys. Often pre-schoolers feel overwhelmed when parents ask them to clean up their toys, so a tip that works well for me is to work along side Bianca and point out specific items - "Can you put your butterfly wings in your dress-up box" this breaks it down for her, I then respond with praise and before long cleaning up turns into a game.

One Hour a Day Rule.

I started my 'one hour' cleaning rule when Bianca was a baby. During her afternoon nap I would do one hour of housework and have the remainder of the time to myself to enjoy a coffee or computer time. In an hour I would clean my kitchen cupboards or vacuum or clean the bathroom. Basically throughout the week I was able to keep on top of all the household cleaning. It was a lot easier than having it accumulate and looking for a 3 hour window of time to get it all done or ending up with a little helper that makes more mess than you started with!

Never Go to Sleep with a Messy House.

This speaks for itself really. Spend the extra five mins tidying the lounge and kitchen before bed, load and start the dishwasher, so its ready to be unloaded in the morn. Put the load of washing by the front door so you remember to get it out early. Starting and ending my day organised, helps me to keep it that way.

Keep on-top of the Washing.

Having separate baskets for your towels another for your clothes and baby clothes etc.. keeps sorting time to a minimum. As soon as one basket has a load worth, put it in the machine. Make a goal to not have more than one load waiting. If you can't fold your washing as soon as you get it off the line, do it while your watching your favorite TV programme and my golden rule put it away in drawers as soon as its folded. (My girls seem to be drawn like moths to a flame to my folded washing and take delight in messing it up!)

A Cleaning Bucket.

Have all of your preferred cleaning products in a bucket, easily at hand. Keep it well stocked.  Take time to experiment and find the products you like the most and have good cleaning cloths and plenty of rags.

Make the Beds in the Morning.

If you can only manage one household task in the morning before you leave the house, make the beds, if beds are made a room looks tidy.

New Year - New Beginnings

Happy New Year! For me it has been an amazing end to 2010 and beginning to 2011. The birth of our son Elias on the 28th of December 2010 was the absolute highlight. 

What followed for me was a total emotional adjustment, it was as though the chemical make-up of my brain was running on 20% capacity. My ability to think clearly, rationalize, practice tolerance and a multitude of other important adult behaviors flew out the window during this pregnancy and to have 'myself back' has given me a new appreciation of myself.

Secondly Chris has moved into a new career, one which he has been working towards and planning for the last few years. He left for his first contract on the 2nd of January Piloting a boat from Bali to Dampea towing a 'jacket' which is some sort of construction equipment. I am so very proud of him for his focus and hard work. There were plenty of times in 2010 when the pinch of stressed finances took their toll, so to see this goal come to fruition is such a blessing.

2011.... what will it bring? 

• Lots of cherished family time, enjoying watching our three beautiful children grow and enjoy life
• A chance to move overseas for a time 
• Finish renovations on our home, finally!
• For me to be able to pack away my maternity wardrobe once and for all and relish the fact that my body is mine again.

2011.... what do I want to work on? 

• Strengthening my marriage with more date nights and time for just Chris and I
• Developing my hobbies and enjoying increased independence again 
• Physical well-being, healthy eating habits and regular exercise