'Let's Do This!' Lists

With my new job comes 'chores' and one of my chores is to make sure S and O do theirs. First, I was just telling them each thing as they went. This led to "How long until am I done?" and "How many do I have left?" so I decided to write out a list on their whiteboards for them to cross off. It was a great change but required me to make a new list each day. What I FINALLY got around to making tonight is going to save the day!

This evening, I made each child their own 'Let's Do This!' list. It has each of their individual responsibilities written out so they can see them and I don't have to rewrite each day. By doing this, I have saved myself time, made the kids more responsible for themselves, and given them the security of being able to see and know what needs to get done without having to ask me. I put each list in a plastic page cover and they will use their whiteboard markers to cross the chores off as they go and erase them when done for the day!

I tried my best to put everything in order but things change with their busy after school schedules and depending on how much homework they have. I didn't put it on the list, but if we have time, we read. The kids read every night with their parents but I also like to read with them when I can. 

S's list is all written out but O's has pictures next to each chore because she is learning how to read. I still wrote out the list so she can learn the words, too. Someday, I'd love to make one of those cute magnet boards or clothespin ribbon charts but for now, this will be perfect and accomplish everything I need it to!


"A half-baked idea is okay as long as it's in the oven."  ~Author Unknown

Photo Wall

I finally had some time this summer to pick out wedding photos I wanted on display in our home. Luckily, this came around the same time Michael's had their 70% off all frames sale. Yay! I found a design idea online of how I wanted the wall to look. I chose to hang them on my staircase since there was a lot of room so I needed the display to be at an angle. 

The prints I chose were 1-8x10 and 12-4x6. I filled the frames and laid out my idea on the floor. Next, I cut tissue paper to match the size of each frame. I then poked holes using a pencil at the hook where the nail would be placed. 

Then I put the paper up to the wall and nailed it in. I started with my middle most frame to use as a guideline. 

I did this for each picture until they were all up the way I imagined! 

It is now a beautiful focal point for when guests enter our home and I feel like it showcases many beautiful memories from our wedding day (which was just over 6 months ago!)

"A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen."  ~Edward de Bono

Sound of Little Paws

Hello again! So there I was, about a month ago, going on and on about how much more time I was going to have to get back into blogging since S and O were back in school. Then Mike and I decided to get a puppy! Our sweet little addition is named Brielle and she is a 16 week old pug-poodle mix (pugapoo!)  We adopted her through the Pug Rescue of San Diego and went to meet her and her brothers at the foster home they were staying at. She was so well taken care of and all up to date on her shots! It was love at first lick and, although it is exhausting, we are so happy we brought her home.

Most of my free time has been devoted to snuggles, kisses, potty training, driving the pup, and finding a vet. She loves to sleep, give kisses, and follow us EVERYWHERE! Mike and I joke "Are you sure she's a companion dog?" She came mostly kennel trained and sleeps through the night but hates being left alone when I go to work. We are lucky to have wonderful family and friends that help take care of her and love her so much!

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." ~Gene Hill

Book Club: My Life in France

During the last month while away from my computer, my book club met for the second time! We had 4 members this round and I'm so happy with how it went. 

We chose to read My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'Homme in order to celebrate what would have been Julia's 100th birthday in August!

August 2012 Book Club: My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'Homme

Here is the Amazon description: In her own words, here is the captivating story of Julia Child’s years in France, where she fell in love with French food and found ‘her true calling.’

From the moment the ship docked in Le Havre in the fall of 1948 and Julia watched the well-muscled stevedores unloading the cargo to the first perfectly soigné meal that she and her husband, Paul, savored in Rouen en route to Paris, where he was to work for the USIS, Julia had an awakening that changed her life. Soon this tall, outspoken gal from Pasadena, California, who didn’t speak a word of French and knew nothing about the country, was steeped in the language, chatting with purveyors in the local markets, and enrolled in the Cordon Bleu.

After managing to get her degree despite the machinations of the disagreeable directrice of the school, Julia started teaching cooking classes herself, then teamed up with two fellow gourmettes, Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, to help them with a book they were trying to write on French cooking for Americans. Throwing herself heart and soul into making it a unique and thorough teaching book, only to suffer several rounds of painful rejection, is part of the behind-the-scenes drama that Julia reveals with her inimitable gusto and disarming honesty.

Filled with the beautiful black-and-white photographs that Paul loved to take when he was not battling bureaucrats, as well as family snapshots, this memoir is laced with wonderful stories about the French character, particularly in the world of food, and the way of life that Julia embraced so wholeheartedly. Above all, she reveals the kind of spirit and determination, the sheer love of cooking, and the drive to share that with her fellow Americans that made her the extraordinary success she became.
Le voici. Et bon appétit!

As far as I recall, everyone enjoyed the book. It was fun being able to picture scenes from the movie Julie & Julia as we read. That's what most of the book was - stories that Julia Child remembered and were written down, mostly chronological. It was like you were old friends just sitting around sharing stories... except she was doing all the talking! One of my favourite themes expressed throughout the book was love. Julia had so much love for her husband, friends, and food. Those are three things I can relate to and hope to become as passionate of a woman as her.

If we were going to celebrate Julia Child there needed to be French food! Since I was limited on time, I arranged a tray of French cheeses: brie, comté, and chèvre. My coworker, V, made Julia's infamous boeuf bourguignon and potatoes which was incredible! KM brought French wine and salad.

For dessert, I picked up some beautiful macaroons from 'lette. They were beautiful and delicious! The winners were sweet wedding almond and passion fruit. 

Our next meeting is in a few weeks and I'm really enjoying this month's read! There won't be much food but probably some good wine and company!

"Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." ~ Julia Child

Back to School: New Job, Homework Organization and First Day Photos!

Hello! I apologize for my absence. I made the marvelous decision to go back to being a nanny and couldn't be happier! My new kids have been keeping me very busy so although I haven't been writing, I do have plenty to write about! I now spend my days with an 8 year old boy, S, and a 5 year old girl, O. We had a busy first month together swimming, going to camps, reading, playing with friends, and hiking. We also went to the aquarium, zoo, movies, and had lots of ice cream! Over the summer, I am with them all day but now they are back at school, I get part of the day back to take care of my neglected home, husband, and blog.

Today was their first day back at school! O started kindergarten and S began 3rd grade. I met their teachers and look forward to volunteering in their classrooms. (I can't stay out of schools completely!) Soon, S will have homework so one thing we did this summer was set up special "homework only" tools. They each have a bin that workbooks and library books go in. O gets her own set of tools also and I make up work for her to do. I'm so lucky that she loves learning because it makes up for her brother not liking it as much! 

They each have a bin with tools that are only used for learning, not for all the time use. If they want to use any of it for a craft or other project, they need to ask. This way, we always know where everything is when they need it for an assignment. Here is what is included:

~ Bin with separate compartments (Target dollar section)

~ Pencils

~ Pens

~ Thin tip whiteboard markers

~ Tiny whiteboard eraser

~ Pencil sharpener

~ Big eraser

~ Crayons (box of 24)

~ Scissors

~ Glue stick

There is also a 'share' basket with things that didn't fit like glue bottles, stickers, tape, whiteout, and my laminate Iphone and Ipad (more on those another time!)

Plus, a notebook and a whiteboard for each!

I hope that these things stay organized for as long a possible and will focus on practicing the 'tools not toys' rule!

One of my new favourite places to look for ideas is How Does She? and I found the best free printable for back to school! If you sign up with your email, they will allow you access to some of the incredible printables on their website. This morning, I used the first day of school signs! I took photos of S and O each holding the one that goes with their grade level. Someday, I will print them all out and use them with my own children - what a great memory! Find the printable here and sign up on How Does She? for access to this and many more!

"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."  ~Malcolm S. Forbes