Ideas to Deal with all Those Papers

This is our first line of defense when it comes to paperwork.  Otherwise known as the entryway paper command center.  The largest basket is recycling.  The majority of the paper that enters our house, goes straight into that basket.  The second shorter basket is where all papers should be placed for myself to go through and organize.  Except it's usually up to me to round up papers from on top of the desk, in the kitchen, practically anywhere else and get them into this basket.  It's a work in progress for the family.

At first pass, I try to use the file folder to organize bills/paperwork that actually need to have something done to them, or need to be saved.  The file folder will then make it's way upstairs to the home office when I have the time to follow through on the paying bills and filing things.  In all honesty I usually save the filing and just tackle it once a year.  Or, since I already showed you the embarrassing state of my home office, I should admit it's probably more like every couple of years.  The bills unfortunately have to be tackled monthly.

But what about all the school paperwork that comes home?  That piece gets trickier.  I've heard the statement asking why we go to the trouble to save our kids papers, test scores, etc only to have them at best, quickly look at them once when they are 18 and then throw them away.  I totally agree with this statement.  Yet I can't quite throw everything away.

In our house we have a holding drawer for all school work that could potentially get saved.  And if I left it up to the kids, the majority of things would get saved.

This is also the drawer that unfinished school work/homework and important date papers go.  So we definitely go through it quite a bit.  Once we have fully agreed a project, test score, or report should be saved, it gets moved to a folder in the filing box.

I made file folder for each child labeled with their name and current grade.  I attached a picture from either their school photo proofs, or the wallet size pictures that you never know what to do with.

It makes their folder special to go back and not only see the types of things they were working on during that grade, but also seeing a smiling picture of them at that age.  At the end of their school career they will each get a folder case with their papers in them.

Then it will be up to them to decide what to do with it.

Displaying Family Photos and Children's Art

Am I the only one who struggles with pictures and art.  I love all types of art, but I have the hardest time purchasing and hanging it in our house and then changing my mind later.  Which is why I don't often wan to pay a hefty price tag, just to take it down later.  I've also been known to say I will make a piece of art instead of buying it.  So it's been a slow process around our house.

So the easy way out is to put up family photos if you have them.  And with the new canvas photo prints, it makes it super easy.  I have ordered many different types of pre-printed art.  There is the normal canvas prints, metal prints, photos that I have framed, or had professionally framed.  I have used many different companies and haven't had a complaint yet.  I would say a great time to order is near the Black Friday sales, or to just keep your eye open for deals.  Canvas on Demand has great deals, so I would keep them on your list.

There is a case to be made for having too many family photos.  So the key is to find a couple of places in your house where you really want to display them.  I grew up admiring my grandmothers house and all the family photos she had up on the stair case walls.  She was rocking the photo gallery long before pinterest.  It has always stuck in my mind and so, I have followed suit by putting up our family photos in the stairways and upper hallway.

We also have a few family photos in the family room, although I am slowly leaning towards taking some of them down.  Especially the older ones that don't include the youngest child :-)  She might mention it all the time.

The next best thing to family photos, or sometimes I think this suggestion is even better, hanging kids artwork.  I love my kids artwork.  And framing them in simple white frames with a bold paint background really makes them pop.  We just recently painted our hallways with black paint on top, and I love it. 

My white frames happen to come from two different stores.  I like these Ribba Frames from IKEA (12"x16"size), but they keep switching out the back of their frames and how they are hung, so it can kind of be all over the place.  I also got these from Michaels a few years ago.  The frames themselves are a little bit thinner and they were a little pricier, but easier to hang.

We also repainted the entryway white.  We had some drywall damage from foundation settlement issues that needed to be fixed.  Plus the original paint color, while lovely in the natural light, turned a little neon with interior lighting.  The entryway itself has therefore gone through quite a few changes.

Entryway when purchased - 2009

Entryway after first remodels - 2016

Current Entryway - 2019

One of the next big projects on our radar is changing out our front doors and adding a porch and discreet handicap ramp this spring.  We love the double front doors we added years ago, but unfortunately our daughter's wheelchair barely fits on one side.  And opening both doors every time she goes in and out is not practical.  So stayed tuned for more changes.

Looking at Front Door Currently - 2019

Happy First Birthday Gray

Gray's First Birthday was in the beginning of October.  We had a tea party theme for her.

Gray was not walking yet, but was really enjoying walking around while holding on to people's hands.  She was also finally pulling up on furniture.

We happened to celebrate in the full sun room, so I apologize for the quality of the pictures.

The cutest face.

And knowing that Gray is a huge fan of food in general, it's not hard to believe she loved the cupcake!  So here are way too many cake photos of the birthday girl.

Happy First Birthday Gray!

Happy Halloween

Oliver picked Batman this year for his costume....and the rest of us followed along.

I did make all five costumes this year.  It was a lot of work, but as I stated earlier, they look so much better when they resemble clothing versus store bought.  And the added bonus is you can wear them more...I do believe Oliver's costume will now be in rotation as pajamas!!

First up Bella had her costume parade and party at school.  Bella was Harley Quinn, and Batman caught her and sent her to jail.

Oliver a.k.a. Batman, had his school trunk or treat event on Thursday evening.  He actually had more fun playing with his friends and forgot to go around and trick or treat.

Gray had a small Halloween Party at her school on Friday, but she wasn't too excited about walking around in her costume.  She was excited about eating cupcakes, and even swiped one from the girls plate next to her.

And then of course Saturday was Halloween itself.  The whole family got dressed up in our costumes to go out and trick or treat.

Meet the "Batman Family"

Batman, his sidekick Robin, and the villains:  Harley Quinn, The Riddler, and Catwoman.

That evening The Riddler and Catwoman went out to enjoy some adult fun, which included watching the Kansas City Royals win.  It was a fun evening out with friends.  But man are we getting too old to stay out late!

Someone was told he had to wait until after Halloween to wear his siblings costumes.  He was so excited to be Robin after wearing his Batman costume for weeks ahead of time.  Doesn't matter that Robin's costume fit his one year old sister or includes a dress.

Happy 4th Birthday Oliver

It was a Lego theme this year, for the little boy who loves Legos.

I really tried to keep myself in check this year and only provide a few details to go along with the theme.  This included the banner, Emmett sign, strawberry cake with Lego cake stand and new Lego figurines on top (easiest way to decorate a cake ever), and Lego marshmallow men.

And as far as activities, it was just presents, cake, and then free time to play with Legos.  Keeping it super simple for young boys with short attention spans!

It turned out to be a great party, and Oliver seemed to have a great time during, and afterwards continuing to play with all his Legos.