Special Events Ahead

Some things you should know…

1. That after 2.5 years—Frank may finally need his first haircut. What do you think?

AND YES–after my children turn 2…sippy cups are for the car and outings only. No reason why–they are just easier and they can do it!

Another angle of the hair for you enjoyment…

2. That it was clown day on Friday for P’s class…AND that YES those pants ARE in my husband’s closet…

3. That being a mom with 4 kids under 6 is doable–and life seems so much more managable when you plan ahead. Here’s something I have done for YEARS. I make my grocery list ON THE WEEKEND for the week ahead. I shop ON THE WEEKEND when all of the children do NOT have to go with me OR when I have to use my very little down preschool time to go. I can use that time instead to prepare a casserole and pop in the fridge for later making afternoons easier. It starts our Monday off right–with order and I plan the menu according to our calendar…for example–casseroles for game day because they can be prepared ahead and just heated up. We never eat out during the week, and we always sit down together and eat as a family–each night…and it’s so much easier to do when you plan ahead. I know one day our lives will be crazier…but at least the kids will know what’s for dinner!

4. If you buy the book Organized Simplicity (SORRY for all those I confused and called this book “Simply Organized”!)…anyway, you will probably spend a Saturday at Ikea getting things to make kids cupboards look neater…and the label maker will reappear as your favorite electrical device…have I ever told you how much I love my label maker???

I finally sat down and matched as many bottles and sippy tops as I could–and tossed EVERYTHING that didn’t have a match or were just random extras in the recycle bin! The “sippy cup top drawer” is now EMPTY! Yay:)

5. If you read that book, you will also be inspired to get rid of “twaddle” books…books that you find on your children’s shelves…books that have little educational, moral or lesson value. These really needed to be off our shelves…

Can you say, “Adios Dora the Explorer” and now I’m officially excited and thrilled to read ANY book my kids pull off their shelves. And sorry…that book about that kid having too many toys–that had to go too. I do not like how he speaks to his mother. JUST sayin’. Kids learn my example so I sure don’t want to feed them that kid.

These books may be shorter because they are for little people–but now their literature selection will be richer…

6. You can find inexpensive fashion at Walmart. Got this shirt for just $10 at Walmart last week.

Just sayin’…just a few things I thought you should know;).

Hope ya’ll have a great week!

XOXO!

Andrea

15 responses to “Some things you should know…”

  1. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    Crazy what you can find at Walmart! 😉 I like the book idea, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE books but we are bursting at the seams with children’s books so I think I’m going to go through them with your suggestions! 😉 Need to start making room for #3 – we put our paperwork in with an agency!!! 😉

  2. Elizabeth Smtih Avatar
    Elizabeth Smtih

    I am also loving Goodwill right now. I can always find a goody or two in there on each trip. I adore dressing my children really CUTE and I find that between Target, Goodwill, and TJ Maxx… I do pretty well~
    Also, love the clown get-up… so cute!!!

  3. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    Thanks for your suggestion about the books!! Also, what a yummy menu!! Are these recipes from the Wiphan cookbook or another one you use a lot? Any suggestions?

  4. helen Avatar
    helen

    Love keeping up with you and your family! Today’s update on Frank’s hair was hilarious. It’s just the splash of sunshine I needed on a dreary day like today.

  5. SleepyMom Avatar
    SleepyMom

    I do meals the same way – shop on the weekend with NO kids so that I can actually concentrate and get the foods we really want, plan all my dinner menus in advance (notating the recipe book pg # if needed) according to the day’s schedule (we do crockpot meals on dance night), and we always sit down and eat at home. By planning out a whole week, I can make sure we have several meals with leftovers for the adults’ lunches which is nice too. It works so well, I just couldn’t do it any other way.
    I like the book purging idea (kind of have a book buying obsession). Honestly there are a lot of “good” books that I still wouldn’t like reading, but just getting rid of those Strawberry Shortcake books would help (want to poke myself in the eye everytime I read “berry” where it should have said “very”).

  6. kristi johnson Avatar
    kristi johnson

    you so crack me up….kj

  7. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    Oh, how I cannot wait til next week (spring break!) to organize! Love the idea about getting rid of books (and I’m a librarian so you would think I would have thought to weed my own bookshelves :)! Lastly, would you be willing to sell any of your digital images of photos you took while in Ethiopia? I desperately want some “art” on our walls from our son’s birth country. Unfortunately, the majority of photographs my husband and mother took in country are blury. 🙁 You can email me. Thank you so much!

  8. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    Love ya. Just sayin!

  9. Alison Avatar
    Alison

    WOW! I am so impressed with not only your meal planning but the cute poster board display with different colored markers!!! I wish I was the crafty/creative type! Oh well… 🙂 I used to be a great meal planner but have not done so good with it over the last few years. But, we do eat at home as a family every week night…and I LOVE that! It may be one of those box meals that you “add chicken” but at least we’re all sitting down together at home! 🙂

  10. Caytie Hirschberg Avatar
    Caytie Hirschberg

    oh frankie boy!! so cute! little toe-head blondie..adorable! I too love your menu idea…I need something cause what I am doing is not working:)

  11. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    LOVE walmart finds for clothes! they are few and far between but make me ridiculously happy when i find one!!

    what book are your recipes from?? i’d LOVE to know! thanks!

  12. Amie Wagner Avatar
    Amie Wagner

    Andrea,
    First I would like to say how much I enjoy following your blog. Our babies came home right around the same time and I often find in your words exactly what I need to hear at just the right time. I am blown away by the print in back of you in the last image! Did you take it? Do you sell prints of it or can I find it somewhere? Thanks!

  13. Shanna Scott Avatar
    Shanna Scott

    Hey Andrea! I met you at the Strange’s in Ellaville. I’m in Ms. Careen’s Tues Morning Albany Bible Study. Anyhow, I noticed that Fri was movie night for y’all. I am very picky on what my children watch (oldest is 3…she is the only child who is old enough to watch TV actually). Can you do a blog post about y’all’s movie nights and list the family friendly movies that y’all watch. I would like to watch a movie with her sometimes but it seems there are so many that have rude kids and rude humor/behavior in them that I am having a hard time finding good ones. Thanks so much!

  14. missy Avatar
    missy

    so much to comment on:
    i’m lovin’frank’s comb-over. can you believe i STILL haven’t bought the wiphan cookbook yet. ugh!!! i’m on it. i think i need to check out the book simply organized. i need all the help i can get. and finally, i love it when i actually find cute stuff at walmart. i think, “walmart, who do you think you are???? target???”

  15. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    I am also asking about the print in the last photograph. Where oh where can I get one!

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