Day 8

 A Thank You letter to someone who has changed my life

hmmmm.... I'm opting to skip this post.  I think those sort of things are more meaningful when they are private....

Until tomorrow :)

Day 7

5 Things I Couldn't Live Without

(things, not people)

1.  My bed... it is my favourite place to be and I don't get to be 'in it' often enough!

2.  My laptop... okay, I guess I could 'live' without it, but I do enjoy my time on it keeping in touch with friends, learning new skills and finding inspiration for my home and crafts.

3.  My home... I love planning what we are going to do to each room and space.  Especially  my dream craft room that is in the works.

4.  My sewing machine... I really enjoy using it, now that I have learned some basic sewing patterns.  I feel very proud to be able to say I made something myself.

5.  hmmmm.... this list is not so easy to make...

ahhhh.... a toilet! 

I don't DO outhouses.... seriously, I'd rather just go in the bush than use an outhouse.  I CAN'T live without a flushable toilet.

Two Cents' Worth

This will be another regular blog feature on Wednesdays (check out 'organize it' Mondays).

Two Cents' Worth

This will include tips and ideas or just something to make you think.  Topics may include house keeping, exercising, organizing, parenting, and more.  They will mostly be my opinion so take it for what it's worth :)

Alone Play Time

This one was a GREAT idea from my sister Stephanie. 

  Stephanie is just 15 mths older than me and my closest sibling (in more than just age).  She married her Swiss sweetheart just 8 mths before my wedding and had beautiful twin daughters just 3 mths after I had Hailey.  We talk frequently as we experience marriage and family together :)

If you have one child you will know how often they demand your attention.  Why is it that they always 'have' to play with Mommy?  Wouldn't it be great if they just played by themselves?!?  I was in the midst of this challenge when my smart sister suggested I give my daughter play time by herself.  I hadn't thought of this before (duh).

Have your child choose some toys they would like to play with and take them to their room.  Leave them inside with the toys and close the door (explain to them first that they will be having some play time by themselves and you will come get them when the time is up).  Leave them for 30 minutes, twice a day.  

They will learn to play by themselves and it will help them to have some relaxing quiet play (we all know how crazy they get jumping around on couches and large toys).  I am sure this was even more benificial for my sisters twins but it sure gave me a nice breather each day.  I was feeling so smoothered by my needy toddler.

Now I'm not going to say your child will love it, especially at first.  There will be crying and attempted escapes but stick with it.  Children need to experience play without some one else always being there 'showing' them 'how' to play. 

It makes a big difference in the amount of crying and tantrums I hear each day and also gives me time to spend alone with my baby.

I don't remember to do this everyday but I should because since I started Hailey's imagination has blossomed and she has become more calm...  Thank you Stephanie for the inspiration!

Try it with your kids, no matter what age (of course babies are too little for this, you have to feel comfortable leaving them on their own - and make sure their room is safe for them).  Everyone could use some quiet alone time!

Take it for what it's worth

Day 6

A moment you wish you could relive!

I would have to say my wedding day!

Ahhh, a day all about me... where I get to wear an amazing dress and marry my best friend :)  Yes I would do that over again, everyday!

It was a great day and went smoothly but there are a couple things I would have changed...

I would have stressed less... not that it was super stressful, I just would have ignored the small stuff and gone with the flow.  I also would have taken more time to soak it all in because it was over so fast.

I also would NOT have gone on birth control that made me put on a few pounds that almost made my wedding dress too tight. Yikes!

I love this man so much!  My favourite time together is when we are sitting on the couch cuddling and talking.  I could talk/listen to this man all day.  He makes me laugh and makes me crazy... it keeps me on my toes.  He is the BEST father.... to see him with his little girls makes my heart melt.

It has been a great 5 years :)

Day 5

Favourite pair of shoes

I have a love/hate relationship with shoes.  I would LOVE to own a pair that are so comfortable and stylish.... but I HATE to shop for shoes.  Is it just me or do you think shoe stores all have terrible customer service?

I went looking for dressy knee-high boots this past weekend while I was in Edmonton.... CRAZY!  The stores were packed with people, long lines, no where to even sit to try on shoes and no available employee's to assist.  I did find one pair of boots that I thought would be alright and sent an associate to find my size in the back.  She comes out maybe 5 whole minutes later and says 'there is nothing larger than a 7.5'.  Wow... I gave up then and there.

Another draw back I find to shoe shopping is that I can't wear heels!  I know, lame.  I never learned how to walk in them and now I feel sexy high heels will never be in my collection (you can't teach an old dog, new tricks). I know Ian would sure love to see me in a pair of bright, colourful stilettos.


Sooo, the majority of my time is spent in crocs, running shoes and flats.

These are my current favourite.... a cheapo pair of flats that I got from Walmart!

I need someone to take me under their wing and introduce me to the joyful world of shoes!  Maybe not till after the crazy Christmas crowds are done.

Organize It Mondays - Toy Storage

Welcome to ORGANIZE IT Mondays.

Each Monday I will post about an organization project I have completed in my own home.  I will post 'before' and 'after' photos with a little blurb about how I made that space more efficient and tidy for myself and my family.  It could be anything from a massive room makeover (that isn't going to happen often) or a simple drawer tidying solution.

Today's task was all about TOY STORAGE!

This is our living room upstairs!  Initially I had big plans that it would be an 'adult only' space with NO toys.  Didn't happen!  Children come with way too many 'extras' that take up valuable floor space.  ie: swing, exersaucer, bouncy chair, bumbo, kiddie chair, floor mat play center (Seriously? and that is just what we have upstairs).  Secondly I find myself on the main floor of my home 95% of the day, therefore I had to cave on the toys upstairs rule. 

For the last 2 years (since baby #1 was born) I have used these large bins to hold their toys (one is all of Q's baby toys and the other are H's toys).

These present 3 very large problems.

1. They are very ugly!  They may hold a lot of toys but they are always in full view.
2. They are so big that H literally falls head-over-heels trying to get toys out of the bottom.
3. Only the toys on top really get played with.  How is she supposed to find and pull out her Buzz Lightyear if it is packed under mounds of other toys?

Solution...

A new storage unit (thank you Ikea and your Expedit shelving)

It allowed me to sort bins (large toys, other toys, baby toys, stuffies, books) and get rid of everything else that didn't fit (aka pack away for rotation later on).  I likely will trade these toys with the ones downstairs as she doesn't get to play with those often.

I think it is very practical and looks slightly classier than the open tupperware bins.

An extra bonus is that this shelf can double as a bench!!!!  Wooo hooo!  I plan on making a cushion for it over the winter.

Do you have something staring at you everyday just begging to be organized?

Day 4

Favourite Quote

Hmmmm...

I'm not really a quote person.  I used to feel all inspired and motivated by powerful words.... not so much anymore.  Honestly, I have felt pretty emotion-less since having kids.  Must be the lack of sleep.

I do however have a few phrases that I often repeat to myself, in my head, throughout the day.

"Just do it" (thank you nike)
"Don't strangle your 2 year old" (thank you Hailey)
"Listen more, talk less" (needs to happen way more often)

and

"It could be worse" (for which I always try to be grateful that it isn't)