GETTING ORGANIZED FOR BACK TO SCHOOL + LINKS

This morning was the WORST. Still trying to get in the groove of the morning school routine. This is the first time ever that I've had to wake the kids up (for school) as opposed to them being my alarm clock. Everyone was grumpy. Avery pitched the biggest fit when I finally wrestled him (like a screaming greased piglet) into his clothes for the day. I waited until the last few minutes (never again) which put us back another fifteen. And then my normally 25 minute drive turned into an hour and a half of traffic. I contemplated jumping from my slowly moving vehicle more times than I can count - ABANDON SHIP!  Lets suffice to say, I am not cut out for rush hour traffic.  Needless to say we were late to drop off and missed the first Friday Pep Rally/Assembly for my 1st grader. I think I was just as disappointed as she was:-( Then, day two of preschool for little h turned into a real crying at the door break down.. mostly me - not him. I think it was the traffic tradgedy ??

The good news is so far I've been able to refresh a bit. I ran home, put on my sports bra and headed out for a quick run and some "office hours." at the coffee shop. And I think I"m going to be on the news again! A reporter stopped me and asked me a few questions about the sketch of guy that had attacked a woman last week on that same trail:-/ I'M A STAR!

At any rate, I'm hoping next week will be much more organized and stress free. Here are a couple of links to get me (and you) on track:

A better organizer: I've heard a lot about this Whitney English Day Designer. For Living a Well Designed Life… They are BEAUTFUL and I LOVE PRETTY PAPER so I'm very intrigued. Have you used it? It looks amazing.. 

Prepping for School Photos - Digging these looks for the kiddos. Last year the munchkin nailed it. Using these tips to make sure we get a repeat performance.

Head start on Teachers Gifts - Printed this out  to get to know the teachers a bit better and so I can have a leg up on getting them the perfect teachers appreciation/birthday/holiday gifts.

Label Everything - These Tiny Prints labels for her (and these for him) are in my virtual shopping cart.

Their Routine - Keeping the 1st grader on track with this "To Do" list of her own.

My Routine - Making some minor tweaks to this list and doing these: 

7 things every day for myself

   

1. Start my day with prayer and devotional reading. I've been reading a chapter a day using this study bible and this daily devotional. It just feels good to start the day with your mind in a good place.

2. Make my bed.  It's just a better start to the day, and if everything else goes to hell, coming upstairs to a made bed just makes it a good reset.

3. Read to the children.  Its good for them, we get to spend some focused time together, and it just makes me feel like a better parent honestly..

4. Read for enjoyment at the end of my day. I've decided to replace my nightly recap of The Young and the Restless with more purposeful reading.. at least for a little while (don't judge me).

5. Journal my thoughts and goals. Speaking (and writing) good things into existence...

6. Spend some time working and growing in my passions and pursuits.  Nothing like working on your goals and crossing things off your "to do" list to make you feel just a bit more fulfilled.

7. Snuggle with H.  I still like him A LOT.

7b. Exercise a few times a week.  I don't think I can really commit to doing it every day, but at least 3-4 times a week. 

Is there anything you'd add to this list?

xxB

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P.S. With all the madness and the current state of affairs, I have decided to take a break from Twitter and Facebook for a bit. I subscribe to several news feeds and its how I get my daily dose of whats going on in the world. I have been mistakenly reading the comments people have been writing on the Ferguson debacle. And with whats happening in Iraq and this Ebola situation and the debacle that was Atlanta Exes.... Depressing. Not putting my head in the sand as much as choosing to shut it off and spend some time focusing on my family, what's good, and getting my wits about myself again...

SO LONG SUMMER… YOU WERE AWESOME.

Its so funny, we started the summer super excited and Gung Ho, but these last two weeks seemed to drag on FOREVER. All of our pals had already headed back to school and I was SO ready for school to start for us too - it seemed that summer would NEVER END. And now that it has, as I look back at the photos and memories I captured these past two months... seems like it flew by. SO AWESOME.  I miss it already.

I dropped them both off at school today finally. Little h started a half-day preschool (2 day/week). And as much as I couldn't wait to finally have a few hours to myself.. it was surely bitter sweet. The littlest, getting so independent.  When I went back to peep in through the window he was checking out all the "stations" all on his own, not a tear in sight - I think I may have cried even longer than he did (I just needed to release the anxiety I suppose)??!!

And my sweet girl. SO SMART. Sometimes I get in bed with her after she's gone to sleep and just stroke her hair, and pray for her, and smile at what an awesome little lady she's becoming.  I remember looking at her baby chubs and wondering what she'd be like. FIRST GRADE. She got in the car after school and said, "Mommy, IT WAS GREAT." And I could exhale...

Watching (and helping them grow up) so fast is equally exhilarating and terrifying. I often want to pinch myself, it seems so surreal to be a part of it all..

Feeling thankful.

xxB

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I'M OBSESSED.

I'm obsessed. With this little doodle (and Kraft paper).

I'm obviously a novice, but I've started drawing her little stick figure on everything. It all started with me making a bit of stationery for the munchkin to write to her friends and out of town family over the summer and now - Birthday Cards, Thank You cards…  and now this To Do List. I went back and forth a bit on whether or not I was scarring my almost six year old by burdening her with such organizational aspirations… But I just couldn't help me self.. 

Kind of a "first draft" - Next go around I'll put these in order. Munchkin is obsessed with knowing what the date is. Probably due to her impending birthday in a few weeks. 

Somebunny's turning six - WOOT. 

So I help her spell the month and she get's to it (after breakfast in our pajama's). I'm hoping this will help keep some sanity (for both of us), especially once the hustle and bustle of school starts. 

My favorite item is "Play with Avery. They are about 3 1/2 years apart in age and I really want them to be close so I try really hard to make sure to encourage them to spend time together (If she reads to him she get's to cross off two items at once) playing and such. He's only two so his attention span can be quite maddening to her and me, but she's learning patience and compassion (and teaching me a thing or two)...

I'm thinking of having these serve triple duty:

1. 5 completed slips at the end of the week gets $5 allowance.

2. Coloring Sheet/Tool to teach responsiblility, and foster a sense of accomplishment.

3. One completed slip gets an hour and a half of "screen time".

** I'm also hoping she'll be so busy reading and playing that we won't have much time (or desire) for screen time.. I'll let you know how that turns out:-)

I realize that most of these things she should be doing anyway (without some 'award' tied to it), and I'm sure the list will evolve over time. 

 Some other doodles:

a birthday card for grand mommy, a thank you card for invitation to lunch.

Anyway, just wanted to share.

Are you doing an allowance? Are routine's helpful for you and your littles or does being a bit more laid back work for you? 

Just being nosy:-)

xxB

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BACK TO SCHOOL | KID STYLE

So yes! The reason for this post!

Its that time of year again, and if your little has sprouted up over the summer like mine, you'll be needing to invest in new clothes for back to school. I'd like to add some classic little things that I think will carry her through the year. She'll be able to mix and match, add sweaters, tights, boots, as we get into the colder months. Here are some of my top picks/favorites…

Most of these things I'd like to add to my own wardrobe as well..

This chambray bib tunic from CrewCuts should last through the warmer months with shorts and capris, and we can add a cardigan when it starts to get a little cooler in the fall months. I'd even stick it under a pullover in the winter.

I know pink gets much play in a little girls wardrobe. So these pink suede mocks are right on trend for Andie who still can't get enough of the color. No socks in the summer early fall, in the winter add socks/tights WOOT.

All of munchkins leggings have turned into capris since her little summer growth spurt. These striped leggings will be the first - I like to stock pile these things to go under dresses turned shirts, and skirts.. 

I'm not sure where she got the notion, but the little has been making plans to add a horse (and small stables) to our "estate". This Gunner and Lux - Little Lux  horse necklace will have to do.. I think its adorable, and would love some of their "Grown-Up" pieces as well...

This little kitty ears liberty print headband is SO CUTE RIGHT? 

Cant go back to school without a new pencil case! I really like the stuff over at Peppercorn Kids.

Now should I stay true to size a get a little bigger? How to you buy clothes for your littles?

P.S. I almost forgot to tell you about my guest post over on my bloggy pal Maria's blog. I shared some really yummy recipes with her folks. Please check her (and me) out if you have a few minutes (and some blackberries you want to make plans for:-)

xxB

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GETTING ORGANIZED FOR FALL {BACK TO SCHOOL}

After yesterday's post, I headed off to church which provided just the distraction attention I needed to bring me through my mental block. Munchkin headed off to Sunday School and I had the me (and HIM) time necessary to bring me CLARITY and FOCUS.

SO TODAY:
Even though I overslept a bit, and was running about a half hour behind schedule (late for kindergarten drop off) afterwards, I was able to fit in a quick jog with little h in tow, and music/story time at the library.  And I know ALL IS WELL (in my soul).  It seems that its taken me close to a year, but I feel like I'm finally finding my rhythm. With professional goals, and the children, and the house. Its still a work in progress, but I feel like I am MAKING PROGRESS.

I'll be getting more into my journey to finding my rhythm and how I'm working to manage the flow of things (and these little people) a bit on the blog.  But in the mean time, I wanted to share this.

A few weeks in already and the notices, home work, weekly progress reports and TONS OF ART WORK are starting to pile up.  I used these downloadable sheets (preschool - sixth grade) printed on card stock to get me started on these ready-to-fill scrap books.

You'll also need:
1" binder
8-tab plastic divider pages
Clear sheet protectors

Next I'll be working on these.

Any tips on what stays vs. what goes is WELCOME.
xx,
Bunnie

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p.s. Thank you Carla for lending a few from your arsenal.

GROWING PAINS - BACK TO SCHOOL

So we are a week and a half in to "Real School" also known as Kindergarten and I think I've finally stopped holding my breath. I'm getting a real glimpse into the kind of mother I REALLY am. Let me first say that she is enjoying it IMMENSELY. The first day she got in the car at the CAR POOL and said, "mom, that was AMAZING!" Second day, at pick up she says, "mom, today was EVEN MORE AMAZING THAN YESTERDAY." {sigh of relief}. She gets in the car and I ask her a bazillion questions - How was your day? Who did you play with? What about this kid or that kid? Did she say something mean? What did you say? What Big Kid were you playing with on the playground? 

GAH!?!?!!!!

 Someone PLEASE HELP ME. I'm turning into my mother (no offense mommy:-) 

I woke up early that morning and filled the car with balloons for a little surprise party on the way to school. The look on her face was PRICELESS. 

We got to meet the teachers a few days before school started and they were fast friends. 

I only went back in TWICE to stare at her through the classroom window. She didn't turn around even once.

This one is going to be just fine. Its ME I'm worried about.

Are your kiddos back in school. I'd love to hear all about it!

xx,
Bunnie

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The BEST LITTLE BACK PACKS For Back to School

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Hubby just had "the talk" with me about my extra special over zealous tendencies. "Please dont go overboard with the back to school preparation." Secretly - I actually enjoy school shopping (or maybe just shopping in general???).. and I am already scouring and drooling over gear and shoes and coats and YAAAAY!!! 

Munchkin starts Kindergarten in just a few short weeks.  At this age, backpacks aren't about carrying lots of books and folders.  So a small bag with enough room for lunch, odds and ends, and perhaps Coco (her lovey) should suffice. 

MISSION: Cute and Compact 

So in my quest for THE PERFECT KINDERGARTEN BACKPACK, I've compiled a list for your viewing pleasure.

These are perfectly sized for my little genius to carry everything she'll need for a busy day -- lunch, change of clothes, and a sippy cup too.

TOP 5 SUPER CUTE BACK TO SCHOOL MUNCHKIN BACKPACKS.

Beatrix New York

Herschel Supply Co.

Fallraven Kanken  

Pottery Barn Kids

Blabla Kids

Oh and not to forget the adorable zoo packs up top. These make me VERY HAPPY. If she doesnt wear them. I will.

xx,
Bunnie

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