The Best Game Ever!

Family room pick up.  

At the end of the day after the house has become unraveled, we play this little game and the room is picked up in minutes.   

The kids love it too.   Sometimes its hard to get Cole motivated to help out.  He is competitive so this game works perfectly for him. 

Before we start, we all guess how long it will take for us to finish. 8 minutes, 5 minutes etc... The winner gets a prize ( a small handful of chocolate chips, a 5 min. back rub or what ever I can think of on a whim)

I start my stopwatch on my phone and we all begin singing the  March of the Swiss Soldiers.

It is so fun to see the room come together in under 10 minutes.  Even MaryJane gets in on it too.  She asks me "Where does this go?", with each item and puts it away where I tell her to.  

My only rule, put things away where it goes (not thrown into another room) or you'll be disqualified.

Do you do this with your kids?  It sure is a fun way to get things done.

Snack Plate

Snack Plate

I was on Kami's blog a few weeks ago and stumbled upon this great idea.  I can't find the link for the life of me.  It was linked somewhere through her Bento post.

 It seems from the time my kids walk in the door from school to dinner time, they are starving and graze on everything in the snack cupboard.  Granola bar after granola bar until they are all gone.  Then, when I'm cooking dinner I'm all stressed because they are chomping at the bit to be fed.  Ahhhhh!

So the snack plate has saved me.  I use a section tray plate for each kid and put a bunch of little snacks on there.  I use a toothpick at any chance.  This is an easy way to make sure I offer some healthy choices to the kids.  Ham, cheese squares, grapes, apples, crackers, a cookie, even Ritz crackers with PB & J (yum).  The kids DEVOUR everything on that plate and are very satisfied til dinner. :) They beg for the snack plate when they get home.  They love it!  On days when we are on the go after school and I make them grab an apple or so, they whine for the snack plate.  I can throw it together really fast or even make it before they get home. 

Thank you to all the bloggers out there!  You have really helped make my life simpler with all your great ideas!

A little Quick Tip

I always enjoy reading my friend Kami's regular posts on Quick Tips and thought I'd share one of mine.  

This little pouch has become a lifesaver for me!  I bought it at TJ Maxx for $5, filled it with my necessities and keep it in my purse at all times!

As a hairstylist, I have felt a little pressure to have my girls hair styled everyday.  But we all know that on some days it doesn't happen,  or they pull out the cute dew you lovingly spent time on, or it falls out and looks like you've never put a comb to the childs' head.

My Remedy: The On-The-Go Hair Kit :)

I've got all my supplies in this little pouch to rescue me from hair disasters. And an occasional boo boo.

Like when Cole was the only 1st grader in his class who did not bring home the picture packet or the reminder that it was picture day.  I noticed the announcement at school upon dropping him off and luckily had everything I needed to make sure his hair was better groomed for pictures.  

Or when we rush out the door to eat out and realize that Sadie has undone her hair for the day and it is all standing up off her head with extreme static from her coat hoodie.  

Remedy : The hair kit :)

All while we're waiting to be seated

I can't even tell you how many times I've needed my little kit!

Sadie really wanted to model the kit for me....can you tell?  

I love how it is all contained in the pouch and not tumbling around in my Mary Poppins purse.  

Don't be surprised if one day I pull out a lamp from that thing ;)

Tonight we started our fun Love Note  and Secret Pal traditions.  My kids are so excited to do something nice for their secret pal.  Any plans to join in on the fun?