• Flashback Friday: NICU Graduation Celebration

    Such goofs - Brina and Karliec

    Ready for the NICU Graduation Celebration

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to September 2005 when the girls went to their NICU Graduation Celebration.  It is hard to believe they are now 7 months old.  We are thankful for all the doctors and nurses that helped our family during the time when the girls were staying in the NICU.  They took good care of our babies and we learned a lot from them during their stay.  It was a great event to celebrate.  Glad the girls were still growing and healthy.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie looking pretty in their outfits from Aunt Mary, Uncle Rick and Laurelc

    Relaxing while we pack up the diaper bag and get everything ready to head out.  The super cute dresses are from my Aunt Mary Ann, Uncle Rick, and cousins Renelle & Laurel in Colorado!  Thanks guys, they are adorable!

    Karlie getting her face painted at the NICU Graduate Partyc

     Karlie’s 1st Face Painting experience.  She was not too sure about a stranger touching and putting stuff on her face even though the rest of us were right there.

    Karlie unsure about this whole face painting experiencec

    Karlie made it through the face painting, but was not happy with us at the end.  She was not a big fan of it.  Her legs were kicking, arms waving, and was about to burst into tears to let us know that she was not impressed with this whole face painting adventure.  A little TLC and snuggle calmed her down quickly and she was fine for the rest of the event.

    Daddy holding Brina still so she could get her face paintedc

     Brina getting her face painted for the 1st time at the NICU Graduation Celebration.  She didn’t seem to mind it at all.

    Brina getting her face painted at the NICU Graduate Partyc

     Brina was relaxed and just let her paint her face.  She figured Daddy was there it must be okay.

    Karlie with her face painted from the NICU Graduate partyc

    Karlie is all smiles now.  She doesn’t even remember that her face is painted with a smiley face.

    Brina was constantly sucking on her dress today, maybe a different texture, who knowsc

    For some reason Brina loved chewing on this dress.  Must of tasted good or had an appealing texture.

    Brina smiling with her face painted from the NICU Graduate Partyc

    Brina talking and happy even though her pink heart is completely smeared all over her face from her fun NICU celebration adventure earlier that day!

    Karlie happy and smilingc

     Karlie is glad to be back home again.  Her smiley face stayed on for several hours after we arrived back home.

    Karlie and Brina having fun with their new toys from the NICU Party-they actually won one of the door prizesc

    Karlie and Brina are very lucky girls.  During the NICU Graduation Celebration they won a door prize for some toy blocks and shapes.  They are playing with their new toys now.   They have no clue they won anything, but were happy to play with the new toys.  So exciting!!!

  • Flashback Friday: Visit From Grandma

    Grandma Kay at the Falls Park with Karlie and Brinac

     Grandma Kay and the girls at Falls Park

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to September 2005 when Grandma Kay came to visit for a few days.  The girls were almost 7 months old and are a lot more active than they were when Grandma was here a few months ago (they were actually still in NICU).  We packed a lot of fun into the weekend.

    Falls Park downtown Greenville (Karlie and Brina)cc

    Our family at Falls Park – Karlie and Brina obviously were not impressed or we wore them out already because they were fast asleep in the stroller for their first picture at Falls Park.

    Karlie and Brina sleeping as we view the Fallsc

    First visit to Falls Park!  Brina and Karlie were so excited they fell asleep as we walked through the park.

    Karlie and Brina's 1st trip to the Falls Park downtown Greenvillec

     Karlie and Brina are ready for a fun stroll through the park.

    Karlie and Brina riding on a fire enginec

     Karlie, Brina and Grandma Kay at GattiTown

    Karlie and Brina's first ride on a carousel c

     Karlie and Mommy and Brina with Grandma Kay on the carousel.  They loved it and were fascinated by all the lights and sounds.

    Brina playing with Grandma Kayc

     Brina playing with Grandma Kay

    Grandma Kay playing with Brina and Karliec

     Having fun with Grandma Kay

    Karlie and Brina down for their nap, looks like someone isn't sleepingc

    Taking a siesta in their bassinets.  Karlie and Brina both have their legs hanging out as they sleep.  The bassinets may be getting too small for them now.

    Karlie and Brina love playingc

     Karlie and Brina playing with their toys.

    Karlie, Brina and Grandma Kay sitting next to Mr. Octopusc

     Grandma Kay, Karlie, and Brina playing

    Daddy and his two goofy girls (Karlie and Brina)c

     Jake and his girls

    Karlie giving us a cheeky smilec

    Someone woke up from her nap all smiles – Karlie Kool Kat

    Go ahead smile Brinac

    Brina Bee woke up with sweet smiles and laughter too.

    Grandma Kay hanging out with Brina and Karliec

     Brina and Karlie hanging out with Grandma Kay

    Playing ball with Grandma Kay - Karlie and Brinac

    Karlie and Brina kicking and pushing the ball back and forth across Grandma Kay’s lap

    Flashback Friday - Brina fell asleep holding Grandma Kay's necklacec

    Brina crashed and Karlie’s not far behind

    Flashback Friday - Silly babies - Brina and Karliec

    Giggling girls – Brina and Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina curious about Karlie's feetc

     Bath time Brina!

    Karlie chewing on Nemoc

    Karlie was more interested in chewing on the bath toys

    Karlie and Brina drying offc

    Karlie and Brina are now squeaky clean and ready to get in their jammies

    Brina watching Daddy play Settlers of Catanc

    Brina sporting a bowl as she supervises Daddy’s game of Settler’s of Catan

    Karlie is now sporting the yellow bowlc

    Karlie isn’t sure about the bowl thing, but relaxing with us as we play a game!

  • Flashback Friday: Growing Up

    Brina thinking about how to get to Daddyc

     Brina trying to figure out how to get across the floor to Daddy!

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years.  The girls were 6 months old and starting to learn so much every week.  They are more mobile and on the go.  They love babbling back and forth to each other and to others.  It is fascinating to watch them explore and learn new things.  Our family is blessed with these to sweethearts.

    Brina is the more mobile one, but Karlie is only a day or two behind her.  Karlie is the more verbal one, but it doesn’t take Brina to catch up.  They challenge each other and neither one wants to get left behind so they do a lot of their fun activities together.

    It is cute to see them working together like a small team.  Some of their jibber jabber we don’t understand, however, they seem to understand all of it and will randomly bust out laughing about some inside joke they share.

    Flashback Friday - Brina playing on the kitchen floorc

     Sweet Brina pausing to say “Hi” to Mommy!

    Give us smile Karliec

    Karlie is always quick to offer a sweet smile which makes my heart happy.

    Say CHEESE, Karlie and Brinac

    It’s only been a month since they started eating rice cereal and “solid” food.  The first time we had a lot of tears because they didn’t like it and wanted their bottles.  Now they are all smiles when they get into their high chairs .  They look forward to meal time (I think they consider it another form of play time only messier)!  Oh, how quickly things change in just a few weeks.

    Silly Brinac

    Having fun with Brina as we get her dressed for bed.  She doesn’t look too thrilled, but puts up with her goofy parents anyway.

    Talk to the Hand (Brina and Karlie)c

    Brina – “Quiet Karlie, it’s my turn to talk now….”

    Flashback Friday - What's so funny Daddy - Karliec

    Karlie – “What are you laughing at Daddy?”  She is all smiles and has no idea she has tape on her forehead!

    Flashback Friday - Brina so proud of being able to stand on her ownc

    Brina so proud of her standing ability.

    Flashback Friday - Cutie Pies, we love you - Karlie and Brinac

    Karlie and Brina, they had such pinchable and kissable cheeks at this age.

    Flashback Friday - Brina - I told you I was good luckc

    Daddy’s unique way of giving Mommy some cash.  Brina wasn’t too sure about this new toy in between her toes.

    Karlie - what Mom, I was just trying to get her to be quietc

    Brina would get very upset if she tipped over and couldn’t get herself back up again.  This time when she fell over I think Karlie was concerned about her crying because she stuck her fingers into Brina’s mouth (maybe to make her be quiet, who knows).

    Flashback Friday - Brina a little unsure about the cow rockerc

    Brina’s first ride on the rocking cow (with pillows on either side and Daddy next to her just in case).

    Good Morning Smiley Karliec

    Sweet Karlie

    Karlie figuring out the rockerc

    Karlie’s first ride on the rocking cow.  They were a little unsure about this moving cow at first, but as they got older it became a popular toy at our house.  They loved it.

    Karlie is ready for a fun dayc

    Happy Karlie girl

    Karlie pretending to drink from her sippy cupc

    They are learning how to use a sippy cup.  Karlie sometimes would “act” like she was drinking or play around instead of actually drinking so we had to make sure she was getting enough water.

    Flashback Friday - Brina does not like falling over, she gets madc

      Brina tipped over Mr. Octopus while playing and couldn’t get back up.  She was not happy!  Once I sat her back up again she was fine and her happy self again.

    Whose got Karliec

    Surprised Karlie woke up to a massive stuffed animal on the swing with her.   Where did this come from?!  “Butch” was a large stuffed dog I got as a kid from Grandpa CE and Grandma Willa.  The girls loved to roll around, climb, and play with it when they were little.

    Karlie happy to be hanging out with Daddyc

    Life is good – Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina - come close so I can touch youc

    Brina is fascinated with the new toy which we called “Giggles”.  It would giggle and move around the room.  She loved to followed it around the room and knock it over so it wouldn’t run away.

    Karlie concerned because it is getting closerc

    Karlie on the other hand was a little suspicious about a laughing and moving toy.  She was fine with it at a distant, but the first time it bumped into her arm she was hysterically screaming like it attacked her.  After watching it a few more times she eventually got used to it and enjoyed it.

    Brina on the hungry hippo, sitting by herselfc

    Brina riding the “Hungry Hippo”!  They could ride on the hippo and as it moved it would pick up block and other toys off the floor and put them into a storage bin under the seat.  It made “clean up” more fun for the kids.  They both loved riding on it or being pushed around the house picking up scattered toys.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie playing on Mr. Clownc

    Playing together on “Mr. Clown” mat.  They initially would both fit (with all their toys) and stay on the clown mat now they are getting older they never stop moving so even though they might start there they don’t stay very long.

    Karlie happy playing the pianoc

    Karlie is happy to play music for the rest of us.

    Brina showing off her belly button while Karlie waits for the picturec

    Brina talking and showing off her belly button while Karlie sits there nicely for the picture.

    Karlie - here let me check out your eye; Brina let me check out your mouthc

     They loved talking (or babbling) to each other.  This was one time while I was getting them dressed.  Karlie was talking away so I sat Brina up on the changing table with her and they talked back and forth for several minutes.  Who knows what they were saying, but they were having fun.  They were fascinated by the words and noises coming out of each others mouths and would stick their hands inside the others mouth trying to figure out how it all worked.  Loved these little interactions and the cute gibberish they made.

    Karlie curious about the hat and waking up in a strange placec

    Daddy let Karlie borrow his hat.  He was concerned about her getting a sunburn.

    Karlie cutiec

     Karlie sitting quietly, but not entirely sure about this thing on her head.

    Looks like a cute baby in the laundry basket - BrinacA whole lot of Brina mischief was found in my laundry basket.  They used to love playing in our laundry baskets.  Once they were older they made it a game to climb in and out, wonder how that started?  Sweet Brina is distracted me from doing the laundry, but hey that can wait until tomorrow, right!?

  • Flashback Friday: Fun with Friends and Bath Time

    GattiTown Birthday Party (Brina, Bridgette, Karlie, Mandy, Jack, Danielle and Riley)c

     First trip to GattiTown with Mandy, Jack, Danielle, and Riley (Brina & Karlie)

    Today our Flashback Friday is in August 2005 when the girls were 6 months old.  It is quite an adventure packing up and heading out to visit family, friends, or do errands, but we are getting better at it.  The process of just getting out of the house, into the car, and on our way is usually several minutes long.

    The girls have been enjoying going out and about more.  I try to do at least one fun activity outside of the house each week with family or friends.  They are usually exhausted by the time we get home, but we have fun.  It is good for me to spend time with other Moms too.

    Thankful for family and friends to hang out with.  The girls are really good and for the most part do really well when we are out and about.  They love watching everything.  It is neat to watch them soak everything in during our adventures.

    Mandy and Jack at GattiTownc

    Mandy and Jack on the carousel

    Riley and Danielle at GattiTownc

    Danielle and Riley on the carousel

    Flashback Friday - Brina - cool toy Riley, beep, beep, you  better watch out here I comec

     Brina very excited about driving Riley’s cool car!  Vroom…vroom….look out people here I come!

    Brina and Josh Kambc

     Josh carrying Brina

    Kari and Karliec

     Karlie hanging out with Kari

    Karlie and Christy Kambc

    Christy holding Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Aunt Vick and bouncing Brinac

     Aunt Vick hanging out with Brina as she bounces around

    Karlie eating with an audience, Uncle Brad, Jordan, Rachelc

    Cousins Jordan and Rachel feeding Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina watching Jack unwrap his presentsc

     Brina watching cousin Jack open his birthday gifts

    Jack getting excitedc

     Jack opening his birthday gifts.

    Karlie still sporting her Elmo party hatc

    Karlie starting to zone.  She didn’t like the party hat at first, but soon forgot about it.

    Our first bath together-they were greasy from sunblock (Karlie and Brina)c

     1st Bath together after being out with friends and having sunblock on them.  It was too hard to safely bath two wet babies at the same time before now.  They could sit up on their own and each had a place to safely sit in the tub now.  At first they were not sure what to do?  You mean we can play in here!?

    Brina's turn to get the sprayc

     Getting use to the bath time fun.

  • Travel & Vacation: State License Plate Game

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    2 State License Plate Game Boards

    Our family enjoys going on road trips.  We’ve had 40 plus hour road trips before so we are always looking for fun ways to stay busy while in the car.  We play games, listen to audio books, read, watch a movie, rest, and more.  One of our road trip rules is the only time the kids are allowed to watch a movie is if the trip is over 5 hours long.  We found these printable State License Plate Game templates on The Dating Divas website just in time for our last road trip (which was only 19 hours long).  The kids have always traveled well and actually look forward to our road trip adventures.

    We printed out two of The Dating Divas State License Plate Game sheets, one for each kid.  After printing out the sheets we laminated them so we can re-use them for all our road trips.  Once they are laminated you can use dry erase markers OR crayons to mark off each license plate as you see it.  The only one we have never seen (so far) has been Hawaii.  We’ve seen Alaska a few times, but Hawaii is a hard one to locate.  On one trip we got 40 plus of the license plates.

    You can do variations of this game as well.  If you want try to play bingo, see what different shapes you create, four corners, and more.  You only get to mark them off if you actually see them and one other person must see them as well to confirm it.  So if you spot a few while your sibling is resting or playing a different game you may have an advantage.  This is just one of the many fun games we play on our road trips.  The kids enjoy it and it keeps them looking out the window and paying attention to the many sights we are passing along the way.  Thank you The Dating Divas for this awesome template!  We love it!

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    License plates for all 50 states

    P1370340c

    Whose ready for a road trip!?

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Flashback Friday: Celebrating Jake’s Birthday

    Brina and Karlie-Happy Birthday Daddyc

    Brina and Karlie were fascinated by the cool new toy on the floor.

    Today we flashback to Jake’s birthday July 2005 when the girls were five months old.  It was his first time celebrating a birthday with two little munchkins with us.  They made the day quite entertaining.  They enjoyed the new things to explore and see throughout the day from birthday banners to candles to rice krispie treats and more.

    Fire fascination (Brina and Karlie)c

    Jake with his two girls on his birthday.  They were intrigued by the candles, but didn’t touch them.  Pretty sure they didn’t help blow them out either.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie showing off their sucking skillsc

    This is cool new mat to lay around sucking our fingers on….

    Brina sitting on the stool at the island in our kitchenc

    Brina sitting at the kitchen counter.  So Mom…..I hear their might be some kind of special treat for Dad’s birthday, can I try it first, pretty please!?

    Brina spit up and is proud of it, Karlie is just laying there looking at it thinking how grateful she is that it wasn't her this timec

    Oh no….too much excitement for someone.  Who did it this time!?  Brina is feeling better now and Karlie is thankful it wasn’t her this time around.

    Karlie and Brina having fun togetherc

    Daddy’s giggling girls helping him celebrate his birthday.

    Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle worms, look at them squirm (Brina and Karlie)c

    Our little rolly pollies saying “Happy Birthday Daddy! We LOVE You!”

  • Organized Chaos: Kid’s Bookshelves

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     Kids bookshelf

    Our family loves books!  It has always been something we have done together.  When the girls were little we would read to them everyday.  Now we read more chapter books, library books, and special books together as a family.  We do a rotation on who gets to pick out the next chapter book we will read as a family.  Sometimes if Jake is traveling he may miss a chapter or two otherwise we usually do this activity together.

    When the girls were little we barely had any kids books.  We started collecting them, the kids got some as gifts, and they have also bought some with their spending money.  Over the years these books have accumulated.  For one of their gifts a couple years ago Jake made the girls a bookshelf for their room.  They LOVE it!  For the most part they do keep it pretty neat, but every once in awhile it needs a little cleaning and organizing.

    As you can see from the picture above they have books piled on top of the books on the shelf, books leaning all directions, random items that are not books on the bookshelf, and various books out of place.  Since they keep it in decent order it doesn’t take long to freshen up the book shelf, put books away, dust, and we had it looking better in no time.

    We have their books arranged in specific order.  On the top are the kids classics and chapter book series.  The 2nd shelf down we have more chapter books or series.  On the 3rd shelf from the top we have the Golden Classics and soft cover books.  The 4th shelf from the top contains all the kids reference and educational books.  On the 5th shelf from the top we have hard cover books.  The very bottom shelf contains more hard cover books, including some series.

    P1350848c

     Bookshelf is all dusted and organized!

    The next big bookshelf project I need to do is to go through all the younger kids books.  Our kids have outgrown a lot of the smaller  books so I need to decide which ones to keep, donate, sell, etc….  I have slowly been starting to do this by giving some of the younger kid books to kids who I know enjoy those types of books.  I love looking into the kids rooms and seeing them reading books either on their own or together.  It makes my heart happy.  The learning to read fluently has been a journey for our family.  Part of my hesitation in going through and getting rid of some of their smaller books means I have to admit my little babies are growing up and to a Momma’s heart it kind of makes me sad.  Not sure if I will ever be truly ready, but I will eventually go through the books and eliminate some more kids ones so that it will make more room for their more advanced reading books, just not today…

  • Organized Chaos: 3 Simple Steps When Cleaning Out the Kids Toy Cabinet

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    White Toy Cabinet

    The white toy cabinet may look clean on the outside…however, that is not the case when you open it up and look inside of it.  It has items placed randomly all around and is in a bit of a disarray.  Today we are going to talk about organizing the toy cabinets.  Our kids love playing, but for some reason the items they play with do not always find the correct homes when it is time for them to be put away.  Despite the fact that most toys have a specific location where they call home.  Whether it is that they are in a hurry, don’t want to take the time, or are not sure where to put it, who knows.  Every once in awhile the white toy cabinet, like everything else in the house, needs a good cleaning.

    Sometimes when you are cleaning out the kids stuff you find little treasures that the kids have kept for a variety of bizarre reasons, a candy wrapper from a friend, a 1 inch scrap of paper they are saving to do a craft, a piece of ribbon, or some other item that they stuffed in the cabinet for later use.  There are times when the cabinet is so full of items and disorganized that it cannot even completely shut.  I often wonder why these instances don’t trigger some thought process that says “Hey time to clean me out, please”!  Maybe it does, but they don’t want to do it at that particular moment in time!  Thankfully, as the kids are getting older I am starting notice more occasions were they will voluntarily notice a mess and clean it  up by themselves.   These precious moments makes my heart happy!

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     It’s a mess, not sure where some of that stuff came from in the toy cabinet

    Here are 3 Simple Steps I use when cleaning out the kids toy cabinet:

    1. If it is broken – throw it away

    2. If they no longer play with it – give it away

    3. If it is out of place – put it away

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    Much better!  Now they can actually find the toys and items they are looking for in the toy cabinet!

    After going through the cabinet and applying the three simple principles as well as wiping down the inside and outside of the cabinet it is pretty much done.  Sometimes there are a handful of items I am not sure about or want the kids to make the choice about what they want to do with them, but otherwise it is done.

    While these steps sound really easy there have been times especially when the kids were younger and watching me clean out the toy cabinet I hesitated on some items.  They may not have played with it this month, but maybe they will again next month.  In those cases I usually held onto the toy for a little bit longer and if they hadn’t played with it by the time I cleaned the toy cabinet out again it was time for it to find another home.

    I am a sentimental person so I like to keep special items.  The problem is no one has a house large enough to keep everything so while I may hang onto things longer than some people eventually I have to admit when it’s time to let it go.

  • Flashback Friday: Sweet Babies

    Flashback Friday - Karlie and Brina 5 months old (July 2005)c

    Silly sisters 5 months old

     Today’s flashback Friday goes to July 2005 when the girls were 5 months old.  We loved seeing their smiles and hearing their giggles at this age.  They were on the move and starting to get into more stuff.  Thankful for these two blessings.

    Their pinchable cheeks are so cute.  They could make each other laugh or cry.  It was an adventure exploring new toys.  They discovered that they could pull themselves up in the crib and look over the edge at us and the room around them.

    This month the girls were strong enough and growing well we got to take them off the heart & apnea monitors.  It was a blessing having them, but it was sure nice to get rid of all the wires and monitors.  We always had extra stuff to carry anywhere we went whether at home, errands, or anywhere else.  Thankful that they are growing and starting to really take off.

    Brina unsure how to react to Karlie's Cryingc

    Brina is unsure about what to do regarding Karlie’s crying!

    Goodnight Babiesc

    They loved watching their mobile above their crib – Brina and Karlie

    Our Giggling Girlsc

    Brina and Karlie giggles

    Flashback Friday - Brina all smilesc

    Brina relaxing on the couch

    Karlie looking happyc

    Happy Karlie

    Brina talking to Daddyc

    Brina talking with Daddy!

    Flashback Friday - Grandpa Russell, Uncle Lee, Brina and Karlie playingc

    Grandpa Russell swinging Brina as Karlie swings in her swing.

    Karlie chucklingc

    Karlie all smiles!

    Karlie sucks her thumb as Brina laughs awaycHappy Babies

    Karlie sleeping with her feet up on the bassinetc

    Karlie sucking her thumb and napping in the bassinet with her feet up

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie face offc

    Their first bumper cars

    Brina pulling her outfit up and Karlie trying to lean forwardc

    Sweet girls

    Karlie and Brina looking all prettyc

    All dressed up in their silky Sunday dresses!

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie smiling widec

    Laughing – Brina and Karlie

    Brina laughing as she plays with Mr. Octopusc

    Brina laughing and playing with Mr. Octopus

    Karlie-life is goodc

    Karlie having fun!

    Karlie-Hi Mommyc

    Karlie is ready to eat!

    Flashback Friday - Brina thinks it is funny to sit up in the crib, Karlie would just rather sleepc

    We came back in to check on the girls a little while after putting them to bed.  Brina is still wanting to play, but Karlie has crashed.

    Who's got Brina and Karliec

    Having too much fun at bed time.

    Brina hanging loosec

    Brina hanging out on the couch

    Is someone being naughty-Karliec

    Karlie laughing, talking, and giggling when she is suppose to be sleeping

    Karlie and Brina waiting or the monitor peoplec

    The heart apnea monitors are officially going back today!  WooHoo!!!  They are almost 6 months old and no longer need them.  Thankful for the opportunity to have these medical devices home with us for so long as they were growing and getting stronger.  Glad the girls are doing so much better..

    Karlie is all smilesc

    Karlie’s excited and talking away!

    Shhhh....Karlie has a secret to tell Brinac

    Shhh….Karlie has a secret to tell Brina!

    Sit up straight soldier -Brinac

    Sit up straight solider B!

  • Organized Chaos: Kid’s Closets

    Organized Chaos - Kids - Closet - Clothes - Room - Shoes - Dresser - Cabinet - Toys - Shoes - Crafts - Organized - Clean - Bookshelf - P1350794c

     What a mess!

    We live in a home with imperfect people.  Life has a way of getting messy.  Over time the busy messiness of life over spills into other areas such as our closets.  It happens to all of us, including our kids.

    On this particular day when I opened the closet I noticed several things out of place – clothes out of their specific baskets, shoes not lined up, headbands askew, and the hair accessories organizer not even hung up, hang up clothes in the wrong spots, crafts all out of sorts, and more disorganization.

    Thankfully with the system we have in place it usually doesn’t take too long to get everything back in shape and looking good again.  The kids are not always “excited” about cleaning out their closets, but they do enjoy it once it is done.  It does look much better to Momma too!

    Here are some closet organizational systems we already have in place that make the closet clean up easier:

    Once all the items listed above are checked, organized, and put back into their proper places there is only one thing left to do.  Make sure all the hanging clothes are properly on the hangers and put them in their correct places.  For our family we switch out cold and hot weather clothes depending on the season.  In South Carolina we typically have a longer warm season then some other places so we are a little heavier on the short sleeve shirts and tank tops than on the heavier winter long sleeves and sweaters.

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     I used a picture from the colder season (the long sleeves show the different sections better than pictures with tank tops).  As you can see her long sleeves / vests are on the left side of her closet with her short sleeve shirts in the middle and her dresses on the right side.  In the summer her tank tops would be on the left where her long sleeve shirts / vests are located in this picture.  We do pull out the kids winter dresses and replace them with summer dresses as well.

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     Looks so much better with everything put away and organized nicely!