Well I've been trying to find ways to SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY....
Jason and I have taken this week (while the older 2 are at the grandparents visiting) to think, plan, and dream.....ahhhh. (but I must say-- I miss my boys-- can't wait till Saturday---- really the only good thing about their absence-- my house is clean--and has stayed clean--- ahhh the days)
*** Must also mention-- TRUE CONFESSION Tuesday (the first day w/o the older 2-- I napped every time the littles did-- and it felt so good!!! I must have needed that LOL ***
My biggest task in this simplifying is meal planning/ grocery shopping. I hate sitting down every Thursday and planning a menu-- but I MUST have one-- I cannot wing it-- things get ugly and the eating out budget usually gets DUG into DEEPLY!!
So-- with new baby on the way-- I am really trying to THINK outside the box a bit-- and of course I HOPE HOPE HOPE to have some (2 weeks worth) of frozen meals ready when HE gets here-- it all works out-- but really life is going to be hectic for MUCH more than 2 weeks!! SO I have come up with a 4 week menu plan (well so far only 1 week is ready to run with) and a grocery list to go with it.
For example-- I did -- week 1 (this week) BEEF - I made a menu plan with all dinner dealing with BEEF. Then I made a grocery list (in Word, with little boxes that can be checked, although highlighting may be easier) of EVERY possible ingredient (not spices..I'm not that crazy) that would be needed....then when week 1 comes-- I can (or I can enlist someone) to go and check off the items needed (I also put paper , soap products on the list--). So that seems like it might work (with ofcourse Week 2 being Chicken or Turkey, Fish, Pork or Beans-- maybe a plan for each-- so we can easily rotate) . In November(ish) I may want to switch it up a bit with less grilling meals and more soups and crockpot meals (I may even dive into that a bit tomorrow) But still only 8 weeks worth of planning!! 4 weeks of Spring/Summer meals with grocery check lists, and 4 for Fall/Winter. So much better than 1x a month shopping and things such as that.
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Jason also helped me really think about our days-- and what should/could be accomplished each day-- to help SIMPLIFY...
We have kind of assigned each day with some TO DO things: example:
Monday- Bible / Memory, Math, Reading, Explode the Code, Weaver Lesson
Tuesday- Bible/ Memory, Math, Reading, Primary Language Lessons, Weaver Lesson
Wednesday- Bible/Memory, Math, Reading, Explode the Code, Weaver Lesson
Thursday (Jason's 1st day off, but he is exhasuted)- Bible/memory, Math, Reading, Primary Language Lessons,
BILLS, Errand (after babies are in bed for the night-- this is new-- tried it tonight-- we'll see how this works), also Library every other week.
Friday- (Jasons only full day off)- KITCHEN DAY- (make bread, muffins, granola, meals to freeze, etc) Deep clean of zone
Saturday- (Jason's first day back--) 1st and 3rd of the month we would like to set asside for Entertaining-- having others over for a meal and some fellowship!! Also-- Jason will work with the boys on some Contenders of the Faith Badge work-- and a RELAXING DAY.
Sunday-- The Lord's Day-- Day of REST!!
** How could I forget to mention--I did plan 20 weeks worth of Weaver Lessons too-- that is a great feat in itself!! I feel a bit more prepared now-- and I have few books I will purchase incase when baby comes-- running to the library seems a bit over the top!! LOL
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I did change up my zones a bit-- if you really care--- LOL
Zone Daily Cleaning Task DEEP Cleaning Task for Friday
outside / vehicle Zachary Jason
Kitchen Mom 1st Friday of the Month
Dinning Room Joshua 1st Friday of the Month
Bathroom Mom 2nd Friday of the Month
Boys Room Boys alternate days 3rd Friday of the Month
Baby Room Mom 3rd Friday of the Month
Master Bedroom Mom 3rd Friday of the Month
Hall/ Stairs Mom 4th Friday of the Month
Livingroom Joshua 4th Friday of the Month
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There are a bit more indepth plans-- but not everyone needs to know how weird I am, right???
We have been able to come up with quite a few ideas on how to just simplify our family--- and help our home run more smoothly-- including talking about what Jason's priorities are-- what HE would like to see me do-- what would be a successful day in HIS eyes-- (so I'm not working so hard on something he doesn't care about).... very interesting..
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He did buy me another dishwasher today-- as that REALLY helps me so much-- I am so thankful for that-- and as I was loading it tonight-- IT is bigger-- the way the shelves and the silverware container are arranged-- it is MUCH MORE ROOMY!!!
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We've done a few other odds and ends around the house-- tomorrow will be STAY AT HOME AND WORK DAY-- (we have ran around a lot this week)... we would like to get the chicken house TOTALLY cleaned out (we still have chickens--their house just needs a GOOD cleaning). Jason wants/needs to mow, and I need to do a berry picking-- if the boys came home and found out I hadn't picked ANY berries-- they would be shocked!! LOL
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