Managing the summer chaos

With six kids, there is chaos. No way around it. There is also a mom who wants to stay sane and accomplish something each day. I want the kids to learn to get things done first and then they can play for most of the day. I want the kids to learn that we have to work together as a family to keep things running smoothly. So a few years ago we started "Summer Stations". The kids have to get their regular chores done first (dishes, laundry, bedrooms, garbage, sweeping etc.) and then we spend an hour and a half or so rotating through different stations. They change periodically but usually include piano practice, reading, writing, playing with a younger sibling, outside work (weeding or watering), and sometimes a 'mom's choice' chore. We are usually done with all the work and stations by 10:00 and then the kids get to be free for the rest of the day. It helps me feel like we accomplish something and get the stuff I want done (piano, reading etc.), helps dad in the yard, and helps them in their responsibilities.

I recently made a chart to keep it all straight. The pictures of the kids are all velcro-ed on and can be moved around so they can start on different stations each week. I included the 2 little kids but they don't usually do stations as one is napping and the other is being played with.


Along the bottom I have a pocket for the bigger kids to earn good behavior computer time. Every stick is worth 10 minutes and they have to earn 30 minutes before they can redeem their minutes. Sticks can be taken away for bad behavior and added for doing extra chores. This way I don't have to listen to kids whine to play on the computer all the time. If they have the minutes and their chores are done, they can redeem them. Everyone is happy.



This is our regular chore chart. I'm not thrilled with the nails but haven't changed it to be something cuter yet. We just move the sticks around each week to rotate the jobs.Linked Here:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/06/06/made-by-you-monday-53/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/

Game Organizing Bags

I have an awful game closet. Here is proof:


Maybe it's because it also houses office supplies, craft supplies, camera bags, zillions of cords, a file box, photos, videos and other random things. I often find dice or marbles or random game pieces in my office supplies or craft supplies. I needed to start somewhere so I made these game piece bags with the name of the game on the front in big letters. None of the boxes that our card games came in have lived through six kids so card games are in plastic bags. They do the job (until the zip lock seal stops lining up) and they aren't cute! Several boxes that bigger games came in are also squished, ripped, or missing one side so the pieces fall out and get lost or mixed up. I'm hoping these little bags will start to help solve my attitude about this closet. I have a few modifications to make so that I will LOVE them but for now, they will house some games.

Now I'm determined to make the rest of the closet look better too!

Formula cans, Valentine's wreath, Menu Board

I have been saving my formula cans since my son changed over to formula at 8 months old. It's amazing how many accumulate and how excited I am to stop buying it in a month! I found a way to use those cans to organize some stuff. We organized our markers, crayons, foam stickers, and craft sticks on the hallway bookshelf. Then I made some 72 hour kit food jars. I'm planning on putting a strap end in each side of the can and tying it inside so it can be carried over the shoulder if needed. I have a list on the outside of what is inside (after I buy the stuff!). I have another can saved for an ABC game that I saw but that also includes saving juice can lids (26 of them) and we don't buy that much juice! So maybe when baby is ready to learn his ABC's I'll have enough juice lids. Or- if any of you people reading this blog want to save them for me, send them along!

There are Valentine wreaths like this all over blog land right now so I don't know where I actually got this idea. It's just felt circles, a straw wreath ($1 from a thrift store that my SIL found!) and straight pins. Very festive.


I usually scribble our week menu on a little scrap of paper so I thought I'd copy my cousin's project and make a menu board. The glass can be written on with a dry erase marker and the words are cut with vinyl on my cricut. I think I will still paint the frame black.