Saturday, December 31, 2011

Resolution Organization

I know that for many a popular New Year's resolution is to get organized.

Well, this is something that is on going for me. I am a great crafter but cleaning up after the project is not my "thing". When my husband starts tossing around the "H" word (as in hoarder!), I know it's time for a deep cleaning! I do like a place for everything and everything in its place, so I definitely try and stay on top of organizing year-round.

And it makes me feel good to know where things are when I need them. I feel super-organized when Danny is looking for something and I can say, "It's on the top shelf, next to the green box with receipts" and it's actually there!

Plus, I LOVE using my label maker!!

Earlier this year, I organized the kitchen cabinets.

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I am happy to report that these are still very well organized. I've added more cereal containers and also some additional Rubbermaid storage for things like dried lentils and dried fruit that we buy in bulk. Much more orderly and less likely to spill when they are in containers versus the plastic bags with twist-ties.

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This photo was from earlier this year when I first organized this area. My plastic storage ware bin isn't quite as orderly anymore. I generally like to pair up the lids with the containers and stack them neatly in the bin. However, it's too hard to do this while unloading the dishwasher and also holding a newborn so the Tupperware usually gets tossed in unceremoniously!

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My desk is also still well organized. I take a few minutes each week to clear off the desk top of mail/school papers/coupons and sort them where they need to go...usually into the trash.

After all the Christmas gifts had been unwrapped and the realization hit about the physical location that these toys would go, the kid's bedroom gained a shelving unit. It's fantastic!! It came with storage bins for smaller random things and larger items can be stored on the shelves or on top!

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The nursery/sewing room is still a challenge and will still require some work. Fortunately Baby D isn't sleeping in here yet. I took a few hours this past week while he napped to rearrange my sewing and crafting supplies.

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sewing space, before

Danny turned this shelving unit at a more reachable angle and I went to work with my label maker and storage boxes. There was much weeding out of unneeded supplies and I feel so much better! Now I know just where to look when I need glue...or scrap paper...or elastic...or fabric paint (dang, I have a lot of stuff, but I really do use it all!).

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sewing space, after

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Scrap fabrics are in a bin under the unit. Too bad I still have to store all my fabric yardage at my parent's house, but I just don't have the space for it here.

The other half of the sewing space holds the nursery. We don't yet have the crib, but there is a desk/changing table, glider chair and dresser.

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changing table, before

I would have loved to paint the matching desk and dresser but apparently it's a crime to paint oak (according to my mother & husband, at least). I think it's so 1970s ugly (especially those brass handles), but I'll have to learn to live with it...

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changing table, after

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I'll post more about the nursery room projects later!

2011- A Year in Pictures

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Happy New Year, from our family to yours.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Day 2011

Baby D woke up at 5:30am, ready for his morning feeding after a solid six and a half hours of sleep. I was still feeding him around 6:15am when I heard the kids in the room next door whispering.

Are you awake?

Yeah...

Wanna watch TV?


They'd been given strict instructions before bedtime not to go downstairs to the Christmas Tree until the grown ups were awake. Good kids for following the rules!

I went downstairs to call my mother-in-law, as she was coming over to watch the kids open their gifts. I heard The Girl upstairs loudly whisper to Danny, "Dad, I looked down the stairs and Santa brought you socks for the gym!".

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Gym socks from Santa!

I bundled Baby D and put him in his little bassinette while I baked a coffee cake for breakfast. He fell asleep, of course!

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The kids waited so patiently on the stairway while Danny tried to figure out the video camera.

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Santa brought The Girl a Calico Critter house, some furniture and a Mouse and Cat family.

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Santa brought The Boy a Harry Potter Lego set. The Topsy-Turvy is from Danny's Uncle Tony. The Boy loves to help him in his garden.

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The stockings held the usual treats...a candy cane filled with Skittles, a Firefly toothbrush, some fun little goodies and they each received a magazine subscription (Ranger Rick for The Boy and High Five for The Girl).

I didn't have time to make the baby a matching stocking this year...maybe next time.

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We took turns opening gifts from each other

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Baby D "opening" his gifts!

After the morning gift exchange, we spent time with my family for lunch and then to Danny's family gathering for dinner (the second and third ham meals of the weekend!). Unfortunately, at the start of the weekend The Boy started to develop a nasty cough and complained about an ear ache so we didn't stay out as late as we might have so we could get him home and into bed. Fortunately after a visit to the doctor he's on antibiotics and feeling well enough to play with his new toys and watch episode after episode of Spongebob!