Nothing drives me over the edge quite like not being able to find everything we need for a particular activity.  Case in point.  Dd takes ballet every Monday at 11:30 a.m.  She needs her shoes, tights, leotard, a white belt, a white headband, and her bun hugger (one of those little things you put on a bun to keep all the hairs in place).  Oh, and bobby pins. 

Around 10:30 I'll say, "Olivia, go get ready for ballet."  At 11:00, "Where's your white belt?  That's part of your ballet uniform.  Go find it."  11:05, "Where's the white belt?  And your headband?"  Olivia, "Mom, I don't know where they are. I can't find them."  I try to stay calm, but sometimes I do lose it.  Just a tiny bit.    Everything related to ballet needs to be in her ballet bag.

AWANAS:  both kids need to have their vests, Bible, and AWANA book.  Sounds simple?  If you're a mom, you know it's not simple!! 

So, here is my brainstorm:

I found this at IKEA for a very reasonable price.  The top two drawers contain everything the kids need for AWANAS.  The second holds their t-shirts for P.E., and the third holds all of Olivia's ballet accessories and clothes.  I LOVE THIS!  I need one more drawer, twice the size of these, to hold things we'll need for going to the YMCA: our I.D. cards, swimsuits, goggles, etc.  I also want to add large labels to the bins but haven't decided exactly how I want to do that.  For now, this unit is in our family room, but as soon as we can get our laundry room organized, that's where it will go.  So far the system has been working, and my blood pressure has returned to normal!