Since Ben starts school next week (ok, it’s only PreK but still) I wanted to do something special with him. I dropped Cassidy off with our babysitter in the morning and we headed to Tim Hortons to get donuts. A sprinkle one for Ben of course. He was calling them “sparkle” donuts for a while and then told me he picked one with “sprinks.” Cutest thing ever. We had to do a few lame errands while we were out (gas and bank) but then went to the store to pick out a big kid sized backpack for him.

Then we headed to Seabreeze! It’s like a smaller Six Flags, I’d only been once back in college. My freshman year, each college at RIT (art, engineering, science, etc) sent their incoming students on a field trip their first week of orientation. Science college went to the zoo, engineering college got somewhere lame (I don’t remember what) and Imaging Arts went to Seabreeze. Gosh, that was 10 years ago!

Ben had a blast! We stuck mostly with the kiddie rides (he wasn’t tall enough for a lot of the other ones). We did the bumper cars, kiddie airplane and boats, train ride, carousel, kiddie swings and mini roller coaster. We even did the log ride, I was SO proud of him for wanting to try it. I was slightly terrified, you’re not buckled in at all so when you get lift as you’re coming down I was holding on to Ben with one arm and the log with the other ;-) I’m normally all for thrill rides, but not when I’m the only one holding my kid in! He thought it was the coolest thing ever. Then there was the wave pool, splash park and kiddie sized water slides. We had a picnic lunch and got ice cream cones too.

It was such a fun, memorable day with him. I only took one picture the entire time but don’t regret it at all, I was so caught up in the moment with him that it seemed silly to try to get a ton of pictures. Totally guilty of doing this on other outings…quick, lets pose so we remember this instead of wholly experiencing the moment we’re in.

Fantastic day! Ben still talks about that “wood” (log) ride and how wet we got :)

Organizing, my favorite!

by Heather | 0 comments

I love school supplies, I’m kind of bummed Ben only needs a backpack and change of clothes this year. All the markers, pens, protractors, college ruled paper, folders and crisply sharpened pencils. Mmmm, my favorite time of year. And then my sister posted a little instagram video of her custom teacher’s notebook and I couldn’t stop drooling. I wish I could somehow justify making an organized paper notebook/calendar but Google calendar just works best for me right now. It got me thinking about other calendar and life organization type things though.

Google Calendar
My life. Seriously I have calendars set up for birthdays and anniversaries (blue), social and activity calendar (orange) and a house cleaning schedule (green). The cleaning calendar is only loosely followed ;-) Actually that could be a post in itself, I’ve needed something to keep me on track so I don’t find myself waking up Saturday mornings realizing everything in the house is disgusting, dishes are piled high in the sink and cat fur tumbleweeds are drifting by because I haven’t vacuumed in three weeks (don’t judge). I think once the kids start getting their own events and stuff too I’ll color code their activities. I really love having our family schedule available on the computer and on my phone when we’re out.

Google Tasks
An app on my phone and computer that ties into my email and calendar. I use the checklist feature for my grocery list and also have my errands, weekly meals and things to do lists.

Evernote
My other life saving tool. I have all my recipes organized by category here (appetizer, beverage, breakfast, dessert, main and sidedish). I also have notes of recipes to try and if they make the cut they go into the official recipe section. Then there are notes for every other random thing so I don’t have to keep it in my head. These include my list of Benisms, parenting articles, my list of books to read, preschool activities to try, the kids’ vaccine schedules, places and adventures in the area we want to try and things I’m researching (farm marketing, agritourism, adoption and raised bed gardening).

Meal Planning
Ugh, a necessary evil. I usually grocery shop on Wednesdays or Thursdays, so the night before I sit down and pick three or four dinners for the week (from my Evernote recipes) and put all the ingredients I need to pick up in Google Tasks grocery list. We have a dry erase board on the fridge that we jot things down on too and I’ll add those to my digital list. I’ll also go through and see if I have any applicable coupons for the week.

Pen and Paper
I do actually use old fashioned pen and paper for journaling and devotions. I usually try to do this before bed at night when kids are quiet and I’m guaranteed some alone time. I spend 10-15 minutes writing things I’m thankful for and praying for people. You really can’t beat a nice notebook and pen for journaling!

I think I have a pretty good “home management” and keeping track of my “adult life” (and now little one’s lives) system in place. I’m thankful Andy has his own calendars and systems set up for car maintenance (oil filters, tire rotation, etc) and house maintenance (although that’s an ongoing thing). He also pays the bills (how did I get so lucky???). I know what’s going on with the bills and student loans/mortgage, but so thankful it’s something Mr. Reliable handles!

I was also curious what other people do to keep things running smoothly. Do you have a drool worthy organized notebook or is everything digital? Anything I should try? Or are you floundering aimlessly and need to set some kind of system up for yourself?

Randoms

by Heather | 0 comments

BEN FINALLY POOPS ON THE POTTY. Way to introduce a post, I know, and in all shouty capitals too. It only took 1.5 years of being potty trained to not be an issue. He would poop in his diaper just fine but would not go in the potty. He’d even sit on the potty and go in his diaper. So finally one day a few months ago I cut a hole in the diaper, sat him on the potty, poop fell through, the heavens parted, angels trumpeted, poop made the water splash him and he thought it was hilarious. And we’ve hardly had an issue since.

I weaned Cassidy this week after 13 months of nursing. I honestly would have gone longer, but we were down to just a morning and night feed and even then she was really only nursing for a few minutes. I was open to doing 18 months, it’s not like it’s any less nutritious or special and cuddly after they turn a year old and can have cow’s milk…but it was just time, I felt good about it and she wasn’t terribly interested anymore anyway. I actually loved how my relationship changed with Ben after he stopped at 11 months, looking forward to the next toddler phase with Cassidy too!

I’m upping the mileage on my half marathon training, ran 9 miles this Saturday. I actually moved ahead a few weeks in the training to run with a friend whose first half marathon is two weeks before mine.

I have been so tired lately (yes the extra running may play a part). I wake up at 6am (thanks Cassidy) and even after coffee still never seem to catch any energy. In retrospect I think I should have waited a few years until the kids had reliable schedules to train for this half marathon, but, I’m all signed up now. And I suppose things only get more complicated as they get older and into activities. Anyway, tired all the time. Part of it might be my fault too, I usually don’t get to bed until around or after midnight. Ben goes to sleep at 8, so that leaves 8-12 to get things done around the house (dishes, laundry, vacuum, house renovation, etc) and my only personal time. How is it that a stay at home mom doesn’t have time to do house stuff during the day, it’s amazing. During the day you play, teach, cook, diaper, cuddle, read, build and love on the little ones. And then naptime is work time for me, so, yeah, everything gets crammed into the wee hours of the evening.

Speaking of personal time, I started reading again! I downloaded a few ebooks from our library and have been enjoying them on my phone. You know, for the 10 minutes I lay in bed before I fall asleep.

Andy and I found a good series on Netflix called Hell on Wheels. It’s about the reconstruction era after the Civil War and the building of the transcontinental railroad. Industry, business, social issues…a lot of racial tensions with the freed slaves and then the white man’s “Christianizing” of the “red savages.” I love historical fiction and Andy’s big into the gritty gunslinger aspect. I also found old episodes of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman on youtube. I used to love that show growing up. Andy is not so much into the Dr. Quinn, it is admittedly little cheesy now. And there may not be enough guns for him ;-)