Resolutions

The start of the new year always brings up the discussion of resolutions. A couple of years ago I began emulating my friend Suzie, and instead chose a word to focus on. Last years word was Simple. I vowed to simplify my life. You can click back on the word to see how I was planning on accomplishing that. So did I?

Like most things I suppose, I could have done better, but overall I felt I did improve. One of the ways I simplified was when it came to signing up for things for the boys' classrooms. In the past I would always sign up for some homemade, complicated thing, and would find myself baking at 5 am to get it done. Instead I signed up for chips, napkins, plates, etc... Much easier! I still like to bake fun and fancy cakes and cupcakes, but now reserve that for my own kids' birthdays.

Organization is the key to simplifying. Remember my breakdown at last years Open House? Obviously we were still having some issues with organization!

Last school year we used the above system. Each boy had a bulletin board, slot, and backpack hook. They were to come home, empty their papers in the slot, then Pete and I would go through them. Problem was, that set up was in their toy room. We are not always in there so would not always check the slot or notice the paper hanging on their bulletin board. This school year we still use the above system, with some additions.



I added the above bulletin board in our kitchen. It is divided into sections, with party invites, school forms, and appointments having their own spot. It is in the kitchen so we see it constantly. So far we haven't lost a single school form, missed an appointment, or missed a party! I did show up to a Christmas party 2 hours early, but that was more indicative of my need for reading glasses than my organization skills.


We also did some work on the toy room. As the kids are getting older, it is transitioning more into a homework/gaming/TV room. (Poor Christopher. Only 4 years old, but I am so over the little kid stuff!) We weeded out a lot of the toys. We then went to Ikea to come up with a desk system. We now have a desk with 4 stations.

The drawers are organized with all their school supplies, art supplies, electronics, etc.... We found cups and magnetic tins in the kitchen supply area to hold pencils, pens, scissors, erasers, push pins and such.

It is really working great! It is fairly easy to keep clean and in order. The kids each have a place to sit and work. And everything they need is in one place! Simple!

So what is my word for 2011?

Purge.

No, I am not planning on developing an eating disorder! Purge my house and my life. Get rid of all the extraneous stuff. It dovetails nicely with Simple, and also with our upcoming downstairs remodel this summer. I will clean out drawers and cupboards. I will continue to look at my schedule and purge any unnecessary obligations. I won't take on too much. I also want to purge some of the crap from my diet. I eat WAY too much sugar/candy. Really, an embarrassing amount.

Purge.

How about you? What do you want to do this year?