Organizing the Toys

As any family with children knows, your house can be taken over by toys in a minute.  It didn't matter how many times we picked up toys during the day, our living room and Rylie's room often looked like Toys R' Us threw up.

I tried using one of those shelves with bins to organize all the toys in Rylie's room.  Little did I know the bins would become little push cars that Rylie would push Liam around in and there we still toys everywhere with the bins adding to the mess.  I was tired of the living room looking like a toy tornado, and the kids were old enough that they could clean up their own toys, so I had a new idea.

I wanted all the toys for the most part out of the living room, and I wanted a simple way for the kids to be able to pick up their toys to be kept in their own rooms.  I found these huge bins at Target for about $6, one pink for Rylie and one blue for Liam.  I went through the toys they no longer played with and bagged them up for donation.  I then separated their toys into the two bins so they each had their own toys in its own bin.  Each child had their own bin of toys in their own room. 

So now instead of having toys spread out all over the place, Rylie and Liam have their toys in their rooms.  It is also easier to keep them picked up, because when they are done playing, they understand "put all your toys in your bin" instead of  "put all the toys away."  The toys now have a place(not all over the floor) and they are better at putting them up.  I just have to get one more bin to separate Liam's toys from Eric's baby toys, it is an improvement from our toy situation before.

I also learned that it's important to go through my kid's toys periodically to donate the stuff they don't play with to keep the toy pile contained.  Also a lot of Liam's baby toys like his activity table are still in perfect condition for Eric to use, and there is nothing wrong with passing toys down as long as they are intact and safe.  This keeps from getting new toys that aren't needed, and as far as Eric is concerned they are new toys because they are new to him!!!

Father's Day Crafts

My hubby left this morning for Phoenix until tomorrow afternoon.  With him away and Father's Day being tomorrow, I decided to take advantage of this special time with just the kids and help them make personalized cards for my hubby and their grandpas.  Our two oldest littles are big enough to make their own cards and Rylie loves crafts.  I love everything my kids make, and a card handmade by them is more special than anything Hallmark can come up with!!!!  I remember when Rylie started preschool, I tried keeping all of her art projects that she made everyday.  After about 3 weeks of that and the house overwhelmed by art projects, I decided I had to be a little more selective on what I kept and let go.

We started project "Father's Day" while Liam and Eric were napping.  I busted out markers, paint, stamps and construction paper.  I helped Rylie with the writing, but she did all the painting, drawing, and she wrote her own name on each card herself.  To make it special I had Rylie and Liam's hand print on all the cards and put Eric's footprint on them.  Eric didn't care for the cold paint on his foot, so after the first card, I used a black ink pad for his part. 

Here's the finished project:



I can't get this card flipped around :(





Liam's card he made for Daddy!

The kids had a blast making their Father's Day projects, and Rylie is excited to give her Daddy his special card!  I'm already thinking of gifts for Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, with a little more detail and flare!!!!

We wrapped up our project filled afternoon with a little ice cream!!!



Rylie enjoying her ice cream!!



Personalized Gifts

Today is a wonderful lady's birthday! Happy Birthday to my mom, I wouldn't be who I am without all her love and support.  I wanted to get her something special for her birthday, something one of a kind.

I have a friend that owns "Say What Creations," a personalized jewelry company.  She makes personalized sterling silver jewelry including: necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc.  The picture above is what I had made for my mom for her birthday.  It's a beautiful bracelet personalized with my baby's names, birth dates, and birthstones.  A perfect gift for a grandma in love with her grand babies!!!

I you wanna see more jewelry you can help "Say What Creations" reach 8,000 fans by visiting and liking their facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/SayWhatCreations and you can order jewelry through  their shop at Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/saywhatcreations

I have ordered two special gifts from Say What Creations and I can't wait to order more.  If you're looking for something special for yourself or someone else, this is the best place for quality, personalized jewelry!!!

Happy Shopping!!!!