Write On / Wipe Off Chore Charts
January 8, 2012 by Stephanie · 5 Comments
It’s 2012. I’ve spent the last four years of my life on the internet, and I love how I continue to learn new things. I developed a slight addiction to Pinterest over the holiday break (what? it was only supposed to last a week and I stretched it into a month? shhh. don’t tell anyone.) and learned that you can make ANYTHING into a white board with a cheap dollar store picture frame and a dry erase marker.
I think I’m in love.
The above frames were made in about 37 minutes. It took me a while to figure out the actual dimensions of the frame– 8 x 10 means that if you’re using a power point presentation you should size your project for 6.6 x 9.
You’re Welcome!
Another Thing to Note: the glass at the dollar store breaks really, really easily. I broke the glass on each of these frames, and ended up going out into the shed to find old pictures to steal the glass (one might of been from Adam and his college friends. oops.). I’d maybe find cheapish frames at Kohl’s or Target that match instead.
My kids don’t seem to care that I’ve written a housekeeping journal/planner, or have developed a clever acronym for decluttering. They also don’t care that I get thank you notes every day in my email box which continues to perplex my #butIhelpotherpeoplewhydoesntmyownfamilylisten crazy brain.
it’s okay. I’ve come to terms with it.
Anyhow, I wrapped these chore charts up and handed them to my 7 and 10-year-old daughters (their names are on the charts, but I’ve covered them with tape because I’ve promised Adam I won’t exploit the kids on the internet) as New Year’s presents.
My 10 year old rolled her eyes, but my 7-year-old was uber excited and got to work checking things off her list immediately. If you’re looking for a guideline for age-appropriate chores, this list is a good one. Our picture frame chore charts have now been in action for exactly one week, and so far so good.
How was your New Year’s? Any big ideas for 2012? Did you make a vision board?
it’ll be a good year. I promise.
monday!
December 20, 2010 by Stephanie · 5 Comments
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Good morning!
I am late with this today’s post—I completely forgot to write it last night! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Ours was quite productive—filled with PROMing, errands, visits, and laughter.
Today:
kids are off school— can today be a jammy day?
finish all wrapping
candy making/baking
keep up with the Daily 7, especially the laundry so it doesn’t get out of control
drink extra water, try to limit the sweets if you can
have a great day!
saturday and sunday–the second to last of the year
December 18, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
352 & 353
I hope your day is already going well. The excitement the kids are exuding is becoming contagous—this truly is a magical time of year.
Enjoy this weekend. Soak it in. If you have things to do, get them done, but try your hardest to do so with a smile on your face.
Remember: NOTHING is perfect. NOTHING tangible (cookies, baking, wrapping paper, dishes, decorations) is worth getting mad about. Choose joy.
and then spread it.
this weekend:
gather the kids around and PROM the toys one last time. New ones are on the way. There must be something (or a bunch, if you haven’t PROMed in a while!) that another child would enjoy more than your kids currently are.
go for a walk, or drive to see lights
keep up with the Daily 7
you are all in my thoughts and prayers. thank you to everyone of you. oxox
it’s friday! take the day off
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Happy Friday!
Chances are your to do list was mountainous this week. Take some time for yourself today. Play on the internet. Go for a walk. Paint your nails. Take a shower all by yourself.
enjoy your family.
enjoy your kids.
enjoy yourself.
xoxo
today:
daily 7 — delegate as much as you can
Wednesday: clobber the clutter and cobwebs
October 20, 2010 by Stephanie · 2 Comments
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Wednesday is our early day—the kids are out 75 minutes earlier on Wednesdays than they normally are. I like this, because it keeps me moving in the morning, and we have more chill time in the afternoon. We also have NO sports or practices of any kind this day, which is such a wonderful blessing.
Yesterday was an icky day for me. By 10 am, I was pretty much wanting to just start over again. I’d lost (or thought I lost, I’m still not quite sure) 20k email addresses through feedburner, the baby refused to be put down, the phone kept ringing with campaign/prop calls, I dropped a box of rice-krispie-type cereal upside down and the pieces scattered all through the kitchen and dining area, and I stepped in a puddle of water in the bathroom in my socks.
I hate wet socks.
Today:
PROM the immediate living areas—get rid of the paper piles, the stacks of books, the random toys, etc.
One cannot manage too many affairs: like pumpkins in the water, one pops up while you try to hold down the other.
–Chinese Proverb
Tuesday, run errands and all that good stuff
October 12, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
284
Good morning! I’m coming down from my BlogHerFood high—it was a wonderful weekend. I got a bunch done yesterday during my weekend recovery, and am happy that I powered through and unpacked, did the laundry, and stripped the beds.
woo hoo!
Today:
run errands—I’ve got the post office, library, and bank
PROM all the papers that come home from school, and any magazines and catalogs laying around. If you are going to order from the catalogs for the holidays, just go ahead and do it.
wednesday, september 8
Wednesday!
don’t look now, but it’s already Wednesday. I know. I’m kind of annoyed too.
Today:
get as much done as humanly possible so you don’t wake up tomorrow freaked out that the week disappeared
call an old friend and listen more than you speak. Make a concerted effort—-it’s really tough to not want to turn it all back to you, but you will be giving such a gift if you just listen and acknowledge.
PROM your purse or the glove compartment–whichever needs it the most
Many people call a doctor when all they want is an audience. –Reader’s Digest
Friday Fun Day
August 13, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
224
Hooray for another Friday!
I hope you had a wonderful week full of surprises and accomplishments. Clean your work area up this afternoon, and gear up for a fun and relaxing weekend.
Today:
PROM your work area
clean out the front seat of the car, and have the kids clean out the back
August 7 & 8
August 7, 2010 by Stephanie · 3 Comments
218 & 219
We just got home from three days away at the beach—it was wonderful.
and very very very very sandy.
The baby is now seven months, and she has had a week of milestones. She’s learned to crawl, learned to pull up to a standing position with very-little-help which is kind of freaky, popped a tooth, gotten her first diaper rash (I think sand got in her swim suit?), and the biggest most exciting news…
she got weaned from the Miracle Blanket.
I was dreading this wean. She’s the only one of my three to ever sleep longer than 40 minutes without physical contact, and I was certain it’d be a tough transition. Instead, she rolled over and spread her arms out like she’d been doing it for the past seven months.
huh.
go figure.
This weekend:
PROM whatever needs it
meal plan for the upcoming week
Babies don’t need a vacation but I still see them at the beach. I’ll go over to them and say, “What are you doing here, you’ve never worked a day in your life!” –Stephen Wright
Wednesday, speed dust and vacuum
August 4, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
215
Happy Wednesday!
Speed dust and vacuum today–super quick, just get the main areas of the rooms. No need to obsess.
PROM the front entry way closet and guest bathroom—anywhere where a guest might hang out by his or herself—make sure the area is decluttered and maintained.
Today:
PROM guest areas
