Fast Project Friday

So I didn't get this posted exactly on Friday... but nonetheless here it is :) My kids have their daily assigned chores, but things like sweeping, mopping and vacuuming aren't included in their daily list. So instead of "assigning" them these chores around the house I came up with a system that gives them both some variety and is also fun (they may not describe it that way- but I do!!).

For this project I spent $0. I used a few supplies that I found around the house.  I just cut strips of paper from a scratch pad of paper that I had. The number of strips of paper is equal to the number of chores you have.

On each strip of paper, I wrote a chore-

Then I folded all the pieces of paper and put them in a small bowl.

With one of my red clothes pins from my menu board project, I attached a label that just says- chores. Then, when it's time for chores, they just randomly draw one out and get to work!  We tried it out for the first time this morning and the kids seemed to enjoy it. No complaints and we quickly got through everything in the bowl!

Do you have a fun way to pick or assign chores? What kind of system do you use to get your kids motivated?

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!  Hope you stop back again soon!!
Faith

Fast Project Friday- 8/31/12

Happy Friday to you- it's another Fast Project Friday!! Do you remember when I organized my hall closet? Well I used an over the door shoe organizer and had to cut it to fit the area. I said then that I was going to save it for a project... well that project is here!  We have been in the process of organizing my son's room- it has been quite a project. What I have found is my son has a lot of "sets" of things. I have some projects in the works for the larger sets, but the smaller ones I was having a hard time figuring out what to do. Most of them would be too small to put in a drawer- there would be too much wasted space!  So I thought of this leftover shoe organizer. 

Using some Command hook picture hangers- I hung it on the back of his closet door. Everything fit nicely in the slots, then I quick used my label maker to label them. Now all his little sets are organized. And the best part is that he knows exactly where everything goes when it's time to put it away. 

Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  Does anyone have projects they are working on? I would love to hear about them!
Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Faith

Back to School Chart

Back to School is in full swing at our house!!  Along with that comes schedules & lots of different things going on. I LOVE to-do lists, I LOVE checking things off- it really gives a feel of accomplishment. So I made a check list, using some fun clip art pictures,  for my kids. It is 2 pages & includes everything that they need to get done each day. I broke it into Morning, Afternoon & Evening.  Being newer to blogging I had quite a time trying to figure out how to share a document. Not sure if this is the best way but I am learning as I go :) I included a link at the bottom that hopefully you can click on & be able to print it yourself if you want. So here it is...

This is page 1 of the chart

This is page 2 of the chart

 Back to School Chart

You should be able to click on this above link & be able to print the chart for yourself if you would like!

I laminated both charts (so they can use a dry erase marker to check off each item, wipe & reuse the next day), punched a hole in the upper left corner & put a key ring through it. That way the kids can just hang it on their hook where they hang their back packs.

Back to School time can be hectic & I am always trying to find ways to help it to run smooth! So I would love to hear your tips & tricks as well :) In our house it seems when things are organized and in place everyone is much happier & we have more time to squeeze in some fun!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Faith 

Fast Project Friday- Ready for Homework?

Happy Friday- with Friday comes another Fast Project Friday!!! My kiddos have school starting next Tuesday and along with that comes HOMEWORK!!!  I don't know about at your house, but at mine homework time can be a chaotic time. Well I was thinking of what we can do to really start the year off right- organized & prepared... So I thought having a "study box" might be helpful. I wanted something easy and simple, so I literally started looking around my house for something that could work. 

That's when I came across this metal basket. It is from my workspace project. It is sitting there with nothing in it, so I thought it could be a possibility!

I tried to think of what all my kids ( I have a now 5th & 7th grader) might need when doing homework. Markers, pencils, crayons(they do occasionally need these things still :), pencils, highlighters, tape, scissors, a small stapler (in the small white bin), lead, little post it notes, paper clips (in the round plastic container), and a calculator. They all fit nicely in the bottom of the basket.

Another thing in high demand during homework time is paper. So I had this in a drawer from my 

desk project, and thought maybe I could use that some how. 

And what do you know it fit right on top of the basket!

As you may know, I love to label things, so I took a quick trip over to 

Better Homes and Garden, & made a label for our new study box. 

Well another Fast Project Friday done!  I can tell you I am glad to know that come next week, we will be ready for the homework & hopefully it will be a little less chaotic :)

Thanks again for stopping by- Good Luck as you all prepare on your kids going back to school!  I would love to hear about your preparations- any ideas on making the transitions smoother! Also check out Organizing Junkie's blog and Iheartorganizing for a TON of great back to school ideas!

Have a GREAT weekend,
Faith

Fast Project Friday- origami

Welcome to another Fast Project Friday!!  My son really likes origami and I love it when he is really into an activity that doesn't include TV or video games!  The problem is there is a lot of "clutter" that comes with it. I have tried a couple of different ways to organize all the paper that is required so that it is easy to find and easy to clean up. This brings me to my Fast Project Friday...

 I found this at Shopko on sale for $4 Yay!!

I made a quick label for the front

It came with some labels for the inside tabs

So I just used the same color as what color paper would go in each slot to 

make it super simple- and he has room to grow!!!

I am super excited about how simple and fun it turned out!  Trae really likes it too. This project could be used for lots of other things if your child isn't into origami- I think I might even try a smaller version to organize my daughters friendship bracelet string!  It could be used to organize paper for card making, scrapbooking, all kinds of different things- just customize it to your own activity!

I just love Fast Project Friday it really is those small projects that make the difference- anything that can make things run just a little smoother puts a smile on my face :)

Thanks for stopping by & have a GREAT weekend!!
Faith