Wednesday, June 17, 2015

FREE Camp & School Year Program

I just heard a talk from Rachel Block, the youth development coordinator at New Horizons For Kids. It's a FREE program that runs a camp during the summer and Saturdays during the school year. They even pick up and drop off FREE!!

The program is for ages 9 through 12 has trips, activities, and social/emotional education and have several sessions through out the summer and school year.

Call Rachel Block at 646-352-9186, email her at rblock@nackidscan.org, or check out their website at www.nackidscan.org for more info.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

One small thing that has made a HUGE impact

RETURN THINGS TO ITS PLACE

This may sound lame but I cannot stress enough what a positive impact it has.

I have found that returning things to its home is a profound help in the morning when trying to run out the door.  You will no longer have a high stress level when looking for whatever it is because you'll have it when you need it.  Also, you'll save money because you won't have to run out for a replacement since you'll know just where it is. Simple, right??!!

When you get home IMMEDIATELY put your keys where it goes, whether it be in your purse, on a hook, or in a bowl.

At the end of the day corral all electronics (cell phones, Kindles, Ipads, etc.) and keep them all in one place (charging if necessary). 

If you often leave the house without your cell phone, consider charging it INSIDE your purse or backpack.  This way you'll have it when you go.

Put your work or school ID back in your purse or backpack IMMEDIATELY when you come home or are done with it for the day.  Return it to the same pocket every single time.

These few changes have reduced my stress enormously.  When I fail to do them I am rewarded with scrambling to locate it.

Try it, let me know if it works for you.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Successes and Failures

Nobody's perfect and I am no exception. I've been trying to improve some of my household issues. One of my successes is planting a vegetable garden. However, it still ended up cost me $50 even though many of the plants were a gift and some were replanting from food scraps like leaks, scallions, and arugula.  We bought 4 to 5 bags of topsoil and a bunch of plants like strawberries, basil, and green peppers. My mom bought me tons of other vegetables including broccoli, more basil, more peppers, brussel sprouts, and eggplant. I've been pretty diligent about watering. My husband tells me that the garden is a hobby and not a farm but I like to think that the vegetable garden is saving us money. I'm not sure about that now.

I've been fairly good about sweeping up and putting away my clothes and making my bed in the morning.  Though I could be more consistent, its something.

We got some doctors appointments taking care of this month which is great and more to come with camp looming.  We've also got lots and lots of activities for the kids in June including (but not limited to) a violin concert, acting performance, camp and new school orientations, and graduation. June is a busy month, I always forget that.

I've been doing some reading for pleasure which is always a nice thing. Another good thing is we've been doing is trying to purge, particularly clothes that the kids have grown and toys and books that they no longer need or use.  It doesn't seem to help.  😣  That may have something to do with I cannot get it OUT OF THE HOUSE. 

Okay, I also just made several loaves of challah, many jars of vegetable broth from my kitchen scraps, and six jars of my world famous, amazing spaghetti sauce filled with yummy, inexpensive veggies I purchased at good deals, and using low cost cans of tomato purchased during deep sales, and herbs from my garden.

In my "needs improvement" section, I want to do a better job of every day tidying up and maintenance.  Right now the house is a wreck. It's always such a challenge since the house is so messy and I'm so tired at the end of the day. So, the house continues to be messy. I've been good about keeping up with the dishes which my husband is a big help (he actually is the main dishwasher). This is a big deal since the dishwasher machine died and it's just the two of us and occasionally kids to help wash too.

One big aspect I really, really need to work on is dinner. Not only does it end up on the table very, very late but my very, very picky kids are usually unhappy with the meal. Many meals turn out fine and the kids just are finicky but some not so much. I've tried to include them in the meal planning process with limited success. I need to be more diligent on meal planning including freezer meals and using my crockpot. I'll let you know how that works out.  Hmmmm.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

FREE Summer Reading Program at Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library has a FREE summer reading program.  FREE activities from June 4 through August 31st.  Check out summerreading.org for more info.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Three of my absolute favorite summer reading programs!

There are tons of reading programs out there for the summer but here are my top three:

The New York Public Library - The NYPL has lots of of resources, tons of libraries to source out, and local beginning and end summer parties with prizes plus a mega block party on June 4th at the Mott Haven Branch in the Bronx. Now it's time to check out the date of your local library's summer kickoff with special events.  Dont miss out! 

Barnes and Noble - Your local Barnes and Noble bookstore has an awesome reading and book giveaway program. Go to the website or stop by a store for a form.

Just read and record your books, then before the summer's over bring your completed list to a store. Then, chose a book from their special summer selection.

TD Bank - TD Bank will pay your children $10 to read. Just show up with your completed forms with the books recorded and your child will get $10 placed in his or her TD bank account. If you don't have a bank account you can sign up for one.