Tuesday Tip of the Day!!

Keep a laundry basket in the trunk of your car.  After grocery shopping, put your bags in the basket.  Then just carry it in.  This saves time (and energy!) going back and forth making trips to your car.

Motivational Monday

"Dream what you want to dream, say what you want to say, do what you want to do… and go where you want to go.  Because you only have one life and one chance to do it all."
-- Author Unknown

It's back to school time!!

There's just something about back to school time...the promise of new beginnings, fresh starts, new friends, and everything that comes with back to school time - I love it all!  Since it's back to school time, expect several of my tips, tricks, quotes, etc this week (and probably next) to be related to getting in the swing of things, setting a routine, or tricks to helping you stay sane while transitioning from the lazy days of summer to the hustle and bustle of "reality". 

I know we are still hanging on to the last vestiges of summer right now.  Maybe not as much as many children are, though.  :)    But before we know it, the bells will be ringing, buses will roaring, and classes will be back in session.  And whether you have a kindergartener or two, an elementary student (or two), or kids in middle or high school, I find that getting prepared early, planning for things, and basically just getting a jump on things early is the smartest way to go.

I was planning on utilizing my background as a former teacher (turned SAHM) and "homeschool" E this year, since the only preschools I could get her into were 5 mornings/week.  I know it sounds silly, but it's her last year of "freedom"/non-mandatory school time and I wanted to be able to allow for a bit of freedom in our schedules and life.  She'll have plenty of time in school - the next 13 years, plus college, so I wanted to allow her to be a child a little while longer.  5 mornings a week doesn't sound like a big deal, but if she gets up at 7:45, is out the door to get to school by 8:30, is home by 12:30, eats lunch, then naps until almost 5 (yes, I know - I'm incredibly lucky) - there's not a lot of time for us, for spontaneity, or for just going with the flow/their interests.  However, I did have her on the waiting list for a GREAT preschool that has a 4 year old class that is only 3 mornings/week - which would be perfect.  So I was *thrilled* when I got the call that a space opened up!  I wasn't even upset about the time I used to create monthly themes (for Sept - Nov), then divided them down to weekly themes.  I had even gotten the books from the library for our Sept unit and had started to get my art activities/supplies together.  But I can still do a smaller variation of it and can do a lot of it with O while E is at school!  I'm super happy that my social butterfly will be in a wonderful preschool that teaches through play, problem solving, etc - and that she will still have time home with me too! 

All that to say - that I find I'm beginning to plan for the busy school mornings.  I realize that she doesn't have to catch a bus by 7:15 (thank God!), but if she doesn't wake up until 7:45 (and I have to wake O up at that time) - I've got 45 minutes to get my 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old angels fed, dressed, teeth brushed, dishes put away, beds made, dogs fed, shoes on, stuff together, and out the door.  And anyone who knows preschoolers and toddlers knows that while they can move super fast 99% of the time, if you have somewhere to be or a schedule to keep, they suddenly resemble turtles. 

It's back to school time - time for new supplies (I love the smell of crayons, which is odd, I know - maybe because I used to be an elementary school teacher?), new friends, new beginnings, and a chance to start out with a fresh slate.  I'm think I'm ready.  Kind of.  Our school system has already started (although E doesn't start preschool until September 1).  When does your system start?  Are you ready?

Hello world!

Hello blog world - I've missed you!

Life sure has a way of taking you by surprise, doesn't it?  One minute life seems to be going along swimmingly, then you get a phone call or a bit of news and BAM!  There goes your peaceful, normal routine...  I won't bore you with what's been going on - but let's just say we've been incredibly busy and dealing with some highs and lows.  Thankfully, everything seems to be evening out now...which will allow for some more blogging time.  :)

Which is a good thing, since I have about a 1000 posts vying for space in my (somewhat limited) brain.  I'm looking forward to finding time to sit down and write.  It's funny how watching the girls play, doing laundry, making dinner, or a random comment sparks an idea for a blog post and then it slowly begins to take shape.  Now I just need to find time to write them down. 

I find I'm looking forward to it.

Yes, Your Majesty

Is it wrong I get a (secret) kick of out it every single time one of my girls says, "Yes, Your Majesty" when asked to do something? 

My two girls are 1000% into princesses (and fairies, but that's another post).  Complete with gowns, tiaras, calling me "Queen Mommy" and each other "Princess E and Princess O", etc.  Sounds idyllic, right? 

Guess again.

On one hand, they are sweet, caring, empathetic, loving, friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic about life, funny, and the most amazing little girls ever.  On the other hand:  one child is firmly in the "terrible twos" and my other is apparently attempting to make up for skipping that phase (is there a such thing as the terrible fours?).  My days seem to be spent playing, reading, singing, dancing, and enjoying my two beautiful princesses - only to have them flip on me and then I'm refereeing/"battling" two children in varying stages of the terrible twos.  Fun times.

I love my children to death.  Anyone who knows me knows that goes without saying.  I spend my days doing something I love and know that I am so blessed to be doing - raising my children, teaching them, and watching them grow.  Getting to see each new milestone as they reach it.  Making sure their needs are met, that I'm stimulating their brains, engaging their imaginations, teaching them empathy and caring, and that life is a wonderful place... 

So when I ask them to clean up their toys and they curtsy and say, "Yes, your majesty", it makes me smile.

I'm under no illusions that I am the "ruler" of this house.  But it sure is nice to pretend once in a while.

Amazon: 100 back to school items for under $5!

Can you believe it's almost time for back to school?  Whether you have school age kids or not, these are some great deals.

I love back to school sales - I stock up on pens, markers, crayons, glue sticks/glue, etc.  Perfect for my home office, arts and crafts with the kids, and gifts for any teachers (or kids) in your life.

Check it out - you can score some good deals and if your life is super busy, it saves you from running around town.  :)

Amazon: 100 back to school items for under $5!  (click here to see what's on sale)

Coffee and crayons...

Have you ever sat down and wondered where the time went?  And then proceeded to wonder when your sanity, days of doing more with your hair other than throwing it into a ponytail, and your figure disappeared?

I have. 

But I wouldn't change a thing.

I’m a SAHM to two girls – a 4 ½ year old and a 2 ½ year old.  I have 2 dogs, a house, a husband, a love of food, baking, couponing, exercising (honestly), reading (who really has the time??), margaritas, and wine.   

As you can probably guess from the title of my blog, I love coffee.  It's a staple in my diet.  My 4 1/2 year old knows Mommy needs her coffee in the morning (smart girl).  Since being a SAHM involves being a teacher, day care provider, referee, guidance counselor, taxi driver, photographer, CEO, nutritionist, chef, laundry attendant, maid, accountant, janitor, entertainer, nurse, party planner, personal stylist, administrative assistant and a baker - quite often several of them all at once, I think I agree with my 4 1/2 year old - Mommy needs her coffee.  Then I can pull out the crayons with a smile. 

Life is busy, life is hectic, but life is full of blessings and undiscovered joys – if you just take time to look. 

Welcome to my corner of the world...