Organizing the Kids’ stuff
Today I just want to share a couple of real-life solutions that have been working well for a Molly reader (my sister-in-law, actually!)
If you have daughters, you know how hair accessories can collect and multiply. I’d love to see ideas for how you organize and store them.
My sister-in-law has LOTS of daughters, and the system below has worked well for her for several years. Two sets of plastic drawers are stored under her bathroom sink, with a drawer for each type of hair accessory . . . one for headbands, one for barrettes and clips, one for scrunchies, one for elastic pony holders, etc.
By the way, I use two sets of drawers like this to hold school supplies. One is filled with markers, one with colored pencils, one with rulers, sharpeners, and hole punches, one with glues and tapes and binder-hole reinforcements, etc. It works like a charm as the kids just pull the entire drawer out and bring it to the table or their desk…and return it when finished. It’s kind of a one-step process to put away.
Another “hot spot” tends to be the entryway where kids come in and drop their backpacks. My sister-in-law has tamed this chaos by re-purposing a toy box into a catch-all for the kids school stuff. This way they have a designated place where everything school-related needs to be put away. This chest is tucked away just inside the garage entrance to the house. Again, it’s been working out very well for her. Love how the chest looks painted…and she is planning to write or stencil a favorite, inspiring verse on the lid (I think Ecclesiastes 9:10)
chest before…I don’t know what the blue tape is for…maybe an area to hang hooks or a chalkboard?
Here is the chest, painted, and at the bottom, a look inside.
After seeing her system, and hearing from her how well it works, I’m thinking of looking for a chest to put near my front door. We have a house rule that shoes come off at the door (makes life SO much easier) but the pile of shoes and boots that collect there is a real mess at times!
If you have any suggestions for organizing the entry area, or for storing accessories, I’d love to hear about them!
Continue reading Organizing the Kids’ stuff …
From Econobusters.
Monroe sales fliers Nov. 7
Here are the sales fliers that were in my home-delivery edition of The Monroe Evening News today (I live in the 48162 zip code):
- Saving Sense coupon booklet – which can be downloaded on line – has coupons for local businesses such as the very popular popcorn coupons for Phoenix Theater, cranberries and pecans at Flour Garden, a free cookie at Inga’s Bakery, dinner deals at McGeady’s.
- Wal-Mart (sale starts Sunday) has an assortment of board games ranging from $5 to $18. Assorted Transformers at $10 each. Star Wars lightsaber at $15.
- Rite Aid (sale starts Sunday) will have buy one get one free on Maxfields boxed chocolate, Nature Made vitamins, assorted ground coffee, and Rite Aid brand aspirin. Boxed Christmas cards buy one get two free. Russell Stover and Mrs. Fields boxed candy $3.99. Finish dishwasher soap on Single Check Rebate.
- Staples (sale starts Sunday) will have Dollar Days deals on fashion notebooks, RoseArt colored pencils and envelopes. Easy Rebate deals on copy paper and photo paper. Coupon in flier for a free PC tuneup.
- Busch’s Fine Foods (sale starts Monday) will have buy one pound get one pound free on Miller Farms chicken breast. Buy any 10 participating Kraft products get $5 off – the offer is good in Miracle Whip, Velveeta shells and cheese and Kraft chunk cheese.
Continue reading Monroe sales fliers Nov. 7 …
From Monroe on a Budget.
Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids
After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under the tree, that is the time that many remember in a panic that the stockings over the fireplace still need to be stuffed. Holiday budgets have most likely been spent and there isn’t a whole lot of extra money available. Even with a limited budget, there are a number of quality stocking stuffer ideas that are both practical and will bring a smile to to faces of the little ones.
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