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...

FRIDAY CRAFTERNOON | SUPER SIZE IT.

Winding down the dog days of summer over here. Here's a little art project that we've been "perfecting all week."

If you haven't heard I've become a bit of a doodler. So it was super easy and fun for me to sketch this over sized doodle for the kids to get creative with.

I just rolled out a couple of rows of this Ikea MALA paper (roll) and secured it with painters tape. Munchkin said she wanted to play fairies so fairy wings and rainbows, h on his scooter, mushrooms, butterflies and voila less (TV) screen time - WOOT. Perfect for a rainy afternoon (or longer)..

If you aren't an artist like me (heh) you could also have the kids do a drawing with a black marker on 8x10 paper (or use a favorite coloring book page) take to a copy store like Staples or Office Depot and have them enlarge (three by four or so) and print. Even large (black and white) prints only run between $5 and $10. 

What do you think? Any suggestions for a rainy afternoon easy peasy craft?
xxB

p.s. I've been toying with the idea of letting the munchkin wear her hair out of the ponytails/poufs. She's dying to do it. I've been telling her when she gets a bit older… I can't believe how much taller she's gotten even just over the summer.  She's such  big girl already. 1st Grade!!

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LIVE BY THE SPIRIT

photo

I keep thinking today is Monday?!

Somehow we ended up at the Magic Kingdom over the weekend - Hopped in the car last week to go and visit family in Florida (and returned yesterday).. hence the interruption in writing.. I think I'm going to stop apologizing for taking breaks in blogging… Maybe.

At any rate, over the last few weeks I've challenged myself to find quiet time every day. I read this scripture this morning and it resonated with me. I thought I'd share just in case you were searching for some good Words to hold on to this week.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kinds, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5:22-23

Cant go wrong with that right?

Hope your week is going well...

xxB

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MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!

My first give away -- YAY!! I've always wanted to try a giveaway on the blog. I know people do this all the time for various reasons, I was just waiting for something I liked enough I suppose… 

So I'm super excited to introduce you to The Paper Nut - her stuff is SO CUTE.  I snagged one for munchkins room and am excited to be able to share the LOVE. 

Please check out her Etsy Shop here.  

But first enter to win this adorable 

chocolate ballerina print!!! 

Scroll for details...

Munchkin is starting her fourth year of ballet this fall, so I was really excited to present this to her.  Im still waiting in the wings for her to become the prima ballerina I always knew I could be, I know she can be.. in the meantime, I hope she has sweet dreams of pointe shoes and tutu's and dancing her little heart out..

ENTER TO WIN: 

FOR YOURSELF/ YOUR LITTLE BALLERINA.

FOR A GIFT OR A FRIEND.

JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE ME AND OUR BLOG:-)

xxB

THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED

MAKING MEMORIES: PROJECT 52 - WEEK 4

I picked up my camera to sift through the photos to see what I had snapped during the week - empty. The iPhone - nada. What in the world happened?!

And then there was this - SNOW!

Just in the nick of time and and a pleasant and welcome surprise on yesterday. Mostly. This little winter storm brought Atlanta to its knees, literally.  I had just put h. down for a nap when it all started. I had joked with H on the phone that morning that I'd let munchkin sleep at the school before I woke him up from a nap to pick her up early. Sadly, some people were stranded and really did have to sleep at schools all night.  As for us, as soon as we hung up H saw flurries and decided to work the rest of the day from home and hurried over to pick the munchkin up from Kindergarten (and dinner and firewood) and made it home just before all hell broke loose in the city.

Although the kiddos were able to bundle up and take advantage of the snow day we had been hoping for. I was heartbroken and very prayerful for those who were stuck in gridlock traffic in the cold trying to get to their families.

Last night I was SUPER GRATEFUL FOR JUST THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE. Shelter, Heat, Warm Clothes, Food, Peace of Mind.  I was also encouraged and proud of all of the Atlanta residents that lent a helping hand and welcomed people into their homes and businesses to get out of the cold and have something warm to eat and drink for the night.

I've been calling this Project 52 "Making Memories". And that we did. This is one we are sure not to forget, for more reason than one.

xx,
Bunnie

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PRETTY PARTIES: SWEETEST SOUTHERN LITTLE TEA PARTY

So this weekend was super, crazy, busy, fun.

We started the weekend off with an impromptu soiree! Some of H's pals stopped by for some bubbly and bites to celebrate the big deal he's been working on forever finally coming to a close. 

HOORAY he rocks!

And then, I swear these little people have such a jam packed social calendar. I really want to be just like them when I grow up. Birthday parties, book club, dinner with some really good friends that I feel like we haven't spent time with in forever… 

The abundance of wine and cupcakes (and ice cream) reaked havoc on my "High School Skinny" endeavors. But it was SO MUCH FUN. 

All this partying did not leave time for the work and writing I had planned to do over the weekend??!!  

But I'm back on the horse (clean eating and all) and have something super cute to share. Like last Monday. I'm starting the week off with a PARTY!!

This super sweet tea party for a beautiful 5 year old and her gal pals was TOO MUCH. These Georgia Peaches WERE THE CUTEST. They had so much fun noshing on sweet treats and sipping tea and making jewelry.

styled by me and my cohort over at Bailey Blue Events

xx,
Bunnie

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MAKING MEMORIES: PROJECT 52: WEEK 3

Another week in the books!  What I need to know is HOW DO I GET INTO SOME OF THESE PICS??!! I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, and  she was saying that she has lots of pics from when she was growing up of her and her brother and dad, but not very many with or of her mom?

Um, because her mom was always behind the camera! I think I'm just going to have to become a celebrity so that at least I will have all of the pics from the paparrazi... How do I do that?

Oh. Well, will have to settle for either teaching munchkin how to take pics or handing the camera over to the husband.

Last week and the long weekend was pretty cool. Threw the ball around a bit with little h for the first time and took the training wheels off munchkin's bike (YAY 5!)!! She was not very happy about it. But she was brave and although she fell a gazillion times (and cried a couple), she kept getting back up and on. So proud of my courageous little girl!

Speaking of (Courage, Confidence and Character), I took the littles up to H's office so that munchkin could sell her Girl Scout Cookies!! Did I tell you she was a Girl Scout?!

So am I for that matter... Troop Leader - Woot Woot!! I know. Super Lame Cool Right?!

What have you been up to? Any advice on teaching this little squirt to ride her bike without training wheels? 

I think when the time comes we are going to start little h off with a balance bike?

xx,
Bunnie

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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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