Dinosaur Playdate

I throw some pretty extravagent birthday parties for my son.  We love them, but they are a lot of work, and while I love looking back at the pics, and the party day is very rewarding, I always feel so exhausted and overwhelmed in the couple of weeks approaching the party.

Just before my son's birthday, I decided his Fourth birthday (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) was going to be the last over the top party.  I'll have two kids soon and it's just not practical.  However, recently, I had another great idea--smaller parties for no particular reason.  AKA themed play dates.  The first one I'd like to do is a dinosaur party.  Marley is REALLY into dinos right now so I thought it would be a great time!

If you want to throw your own dino play date, here are some great ideas (all photos link to original source):
















For more ideas, check out my Pinterest board.

Nesting Ideas

Baskets for the wall in the hall bathroom (make room for more baby stuff):

Source

Re-do Photo Gallery in Living Room (make spots for new baby pictures!):

From A Beautiful Mess.

Baby Room Decor:

Source

Today: 1.3-1.5

The cough hit me bad on Friday and I had a flu all day.  Marley stayed home with me and he was such a great kid as I lounged around (and even napped a little).  He watched movies and played quietly so I could rest.  I made us lunch, but that was about the extent of my heavy lifting.  By the end of the day, I had only gotten worse & ended up calling my doctor after my fever had me heaving.  Luckily, rest was the answer and I spent Saturday sleeping as well.  Chris loaded me with Pedialyte and made home-made soup and catered to me all weekend.  Marley stayed in his PJs most of the weekend too and was really well behaved.

Wardrobe.

When we started making room for the new addition, I had to clean out the guest room, AKA "My Second Closet."  This meant losing an entire closet of space I'd hung extra clothes of my own.  At the same time, my belly and hips were growing & I had to put clothes that had become too small out in the shed.  There were ALOT of large rubbermaid bins that went in & out during that time and there were at least 4 or 5 full of clothes.  I realize at times like that just how much I already have, yet I tend to wear the same things all the time:  comfortable and/or easy (i.e. things that go well when I don't want to iron).


I know that I can make a lot more of what I have.  To help myself do this, I've decided that I really need to be intentional--i.e picking out my outfits in advance & forcing myself to rotate all of my wardrobe.  I think doing so can help me focus in on spending the money that I will inevitably spend anyway on clothes to singular pieces I can use to freshen up my wardrobe....accessories, shoes, bags & belts.  I think this will help me reduce my spending because I do love to look nice!


STEP ONE:
"Spring Cleaning"--for this project, it was more like "Winter Cleaning" because I did it after the first cold days of the season.  This is a good time to go out with the old--pieces you've had out since the last season change but haven't worn.  There was awhile I was trying to keep everything, but I realize that things that have lost their shape or otherwise never fit well at all need to go.  This season I got rid of about 1/2 a large garbage bag and also an old suitcase I inherited from my step-dad that had sat in my closet for far too long without a purpose & just taking up space.

During this step, I usually re-arrange some things--this time, I tightened up my shoe storage & rearranged our armoire.  It's funny how Chris' space in the closet just keeps getting smaller & smaller.  (Sorry babe).  I moved a lot of our jackets & sweatshirts into the entryway closet (which is jam-packed--did I mention we need more storage space??--we could really use another closet).

It was also a treat that Chris re-arranged our room after it having been the same for the last 4 years!  I like the new feel of it.

Here's a sneak peak of our small space clean & organized!

 

STEP TWO:
Outfit planning--the further ahead I plan the more likely I am able to make & fulfil any good buys on my outfit wishlist!

STEP THREE:
Store or stack the used pieces--i.e. out-of-sight, out-of-mind--to best optimize entire wardrobe, then you can keep track of what you have worn, and what you haven't!

How We "Meal Plan"

I wake up early on Saturday mornings (mostly just because my spawn need me for something--food, diaper changes, or turning on the TV) and clean the kitchen--unload/load dishes, wipe down countertops & cabinets, and then REALLY clean the kitchen...

This is something I used to do every few months, but I found it pretty easy once I started doing it more often.

I take everything out of the refrigerator and freezers that is old or yucky. Wipe it down, and  assess what we still have. I then go through the food cabinets and see what we have.

I then make a "use" list--i.e. Things we already have that I can use in a recipe/meal. 

I then head to the computer (and just think about meals I already know) and make a list of the meals and the ingredients to buy at the store.

Then, ill search my apps and coupon websites before going to the store on Sunday to see if I can easily save. 

Sunday, I have my son match Tupperware & lids for me.

I go to the store & come home. When I unload groceries I take a lot of stuff out of the outer packaging just to save space. 

After putting away, I do some preparing ahead. This really helps with time and lack of energy for cooking later in the week!

I pack my son's lunches, pack my own, (my husband deals with his own) and do as much meal prep as I can for breakfasts and dinner the rest of the week!

Today 1.2.14

I woke up in the middle of the night on one of my 209328430276342982347098 trips to the bathroom and ended up not being able to sleep much afterwards because of a horrendous cough.  Marley had snuck into our bed at some point, Chris had escaped to Marley's room to sleep, while my little guy snuggled as close to me as possible.  I tried to tell him he could sleep on Daddy's side of the bed, but he said, "I want to sleep right here next to you" and pulled me closer.

I am going to miss cuddling with Marley when I am up in the middle of the night breastfeeding a new baby.  I anticipate co-sleeping with her (we left a Queen-sized bed in her room) for awhile, and I'm really hoping Marley understands he can't be a 3rd in that bed too (although daddy would love to cuddle him too).

I was up before everyone else this morning--which is rare, Marley is the best alarm clock!  But was back in his bed snuggling daddy when Marley did come join us to say good morning.  He was sick yesterday, and more sick today too--so we let him stay in his PJs.  Chris followed me to drop Marley off at grandma and grandpas--his new Build-a-bear dudded out in Batman PJs too.  Our departure was better today than most days.

I should have stayed in bed, but I have a major deadline next week at work and am pretty stressed as it is.  Not being prepared is only going to make that worse.  Plus I had two meetings before noon that were crucial.  I spent the rest of the day at my desk doing preparation & took 2 trips to the meter to feed quarters before I headed home at 4pm & that was the extent of my exercise for the day (none). ((But for good reason---my cough only got worse as the day went on))

I dropped off dry cleaning for next week & headed home. I took a hot shower after stepping my sausage feet out of my flats & got right into bed--towel and all.

And so began not only a sick day, but a sick weekend! 

The Best Way to Predict the Future is To Create it.

I saw this picture on my facebook feed today.  People are very excited about their resolutions in the first few days of the new  year.  I don't personally have any "resolutions" but I certainly have a lot of "plans" for the new year/my new life that is set to start in about 5-6 weeks...

I thought this meme was interesting because when I tally the green and the yellow, I land about in the middle.  But one theme in this little picture is planning, and avoiding laziness.  I don't know that I am going to stop hoarding information or talking about people, but I think it includes some really great ideas.

Today. 1.1.14

A day off in the middle of the week is always strange.  Today sort of felt like practice for when I am staying home.  Marley and I started our day off lazy, in our PJs watching Rescue Bots & me browsing online and drinking my morning Joe.  It wasn't until almost 10 o'clock when I ventured off the couch to take a shower and start doing chores around the house.  (Laundry, several loads of dishes, picking up toys and trash around the house).  I felt like I got a lot accomplished.

Marley started feeling stir crazy around lunchtime, so we went on a little 1/2 mile walk down to the mailbox and back.  (Yes, I realize mail doesn't come today, but I hadn't checked it since before Christmas.)

Our dog followed us.  Chris really needs to fix that broken fence.

Marley collected various rocks along the way.

And he had to get the mail himself.

Our walk was really nice & leisurely.  It was nice to get some fresh air for both of us when we had been couped up inside all day. Marley's little bit of exercise improved his mood instantly.  Mine too.  It made me reflect on the importance of getting outside & getting some exercise.  I need to be sure to integrating getting out of the house and doing something physical from day 1 after I deliver, even if its just to the mailbox.  We've talked about having a "track" around our property, & there's a couple great little parks with a track very close by.  Marley loves the park, but he takes issue with not being the center of attention, so that may not work out too well....We'll see.

We came home, had cheese quesadillas for lunch, and started a "project" as Marley calls any arts & crafts type thing we do.  Today, it was a painting party.  This kept Marley busy for a good hour as I finished chores up around the house.

We chilled out for another hour, I got ready, or so before going to Grandma's house for New Years day dinner.

We finally ended the night with some hanging out in the living room before I put Marley to bed!