oh, back to school

It's back to school time, folks! And you know what that means. There are things to do, emails to check, calendars to print, and dates to block out. It's the same routine every year. Once you get through the list, then you sit back and wait for the bus email to come letting you know what time to be ready. 

The backpack and school supplies were shockingly easy this year. A white Adidas backpack won't stay white for long, but she loves it. All supplies were collected from what we had, Dollar Tree, and Walmart. And, of course, we have an entire extra bag for the locker shelf, all the cute magnets, a dry erase board and a mirror. Supplies DONE.

Next comes the declutter. We went through drawers, dressers, and closets to get rid of the old to prepare for the new. We now have a good idea of just how many black leggings one actually needs. I am pleased to say that our love of jeans HAS returned, as well as the ripped to shreds look 🤣 Clothes/accessories restock DONE.

Now for the food. Oh, yes. In this house food gets its own back to school category! We hit Costco today and we have breakfast foods for months. We have juice boxes and lunch snacks. We have meal ideas because someone I know never can pack just a regular sandwich. All the thermos, snack containers, and matching refillable bags are cleaned and reachable. Food DONE.

Now I am off to print calendars and activities. Just waiting for the bus email and a schedule! Here is to hoping her last year of middle school is amazing. We are prepared, informed and she will be well dressed (priorities!). I hope everyone's back to school transitions run smoothly and everyone has a safe and fun year!

enjoying summer while we can, however we can

How did summer start zipping by so quickly?!?! My heart can't even handle it. We pulled up the ol' bucket list to see what we may have missed and we're on the right track. Even our own personal bucket lists are almost complete (we still need to make pierogies- her suggestion, zipline- her suggestion, and fully bake/decorate a cake- my suggestion). My summer of just enjoying has been a success thus far. 

Every summer I make a personal to-do list with household chores or tasks to complete. I have painted walls, gutted rooms, created things, whatever. This year's summer to-do list was simple: put in her flower garden and get the yard looking nice again. Nothing more, nothing less. Not sure why I insist on killing each summer with these insane to-do lists.

 What am I trying to prove??? A bucket list each is plenty. She is enjoying this summer of fun and adventure with little setbacks or expectations beyond Relax and Have Fun. No longer will I kill it with my own personal to-do lists. It's stressful enough being a girl mom! ;) 

New goals: slow down, say no, ignore my phone, read, smile, enjoy nature. I do MOST of these things. Now I just need to do them MORE! Taking advantage of all the local entertainment our area has helps a lot to keep things fun, easy and laid back.  Now excuse me while I go soak up more of summer and probably check something off the fun list!

passing the torch

When the state gives you an entire day off to vote, you plan to vote early and make the most of your day! We decided to ride our bikes to go rock the vote, then come back for a day of fun. Why bother with Netflix and chill. Maybe a girly spa day? Nope.

We rearranged the den for maximum fun and that's where we shall begin. What started with: vote, read a little, get some lunch has become: do it ALL. She even wrote it in order of fun. THEN she went back and labelled. This is a girl after my own heart! The labelling and details are reminiscent of my own life. Neat and orderly (on paper, at least!) with lists everywhere.

"Do we have to vote, though? We have so much fun planned." Uh, yes! We do! I told her it is our patriotic duty to vote. For women, this is important. Susan B Anthony would be so proud :) 

We can have fun afterwards. Clearly, my morning has been laid out for me. I plan to pass the torch for my little go-getter organizer. She, too, loves making lists and organizing. I need to pass the torch tomorrow and show her that we can work and play and make a difference all in one morning!