How Do I? Kids Activiites

As a coach's wife, managing my time effeciently is really important! And one of way I try to be more efficient is to really think about our day to day schedule and not overwhelm myself. This means that we also have to limit extra curricular activities for our kids. Not to mention, the cost can be outrageous and we have to reign it in a bit, but honestly, it's because I have 3 kids, a husband that works a lot, a part time job, and arranging schedules can be overwhelming. 

We decided when our kids were little they could do one activity at a time. Gretchen started dance in the summer when she was 3. She took the following year, and then eventually to gymnastics. After a year, we discovered that wasn't her thing either, so it was back to dance. She also tried some kids soccer and basketball, but eventually her heart fell in love with being on stage and acting. 

When Megan and Gretchen were little, it was really easy to find them activities that were simlar or close to each other. When Gretchen tried soccer, Megan did too. When Gretchen's dance studio had a gymnastics class, we let Megan take there. I also tried really hard to book their activities on the same night so we weren't running all over several nights a week. 

Eventually Megan settled on gymnastics, and Adalyn came along and did gymnastics for several years as well. 

Since dance and gymnstics are year round activities, and DJ wanted them to try some sports, we put them in soccer classes or basketball season in the winter and spring. His schedule had eased up a bit, so he had some time to help out. 

Megan's gymnastics is now about 20 hours a week and we've found someone to carpool with which has freed up my evenings much more than it had previously. During the season, DJ will also work late so he's able to pick her up on his way home. 

When we put Megan in gymnastics team, we actually pulled Adalyn out. She had been in gymnastics for years and she really enjoyed it, but I don't think she loved it. We let her try soccer and so far that seems to be her thing. Soccer practice is just 1-2 nights a week with games on Saturdays. 

Now, that did make Saturday's this past Fall difficult, but with an aunt that now lives close by, carpooling and just asking friends for help and giving myself lots of grace, we managed to get through it combined with football season.

Since Gretchen is more involved with acting, we pulled her out of paid classes once she started middle school. I always felt that it was important for our kids to have activities they loved growing up, but if they're activities are offered in their school- they could transition their activities over to the schools freeing up some time, and let's be honest, money. 

Okay, let's bullet point these tips and make it easy for you!

1. One activity at a time. If it's the off season and dad is around, then pick a short season sport to try. 

2. Ask for help. Get to know the other mom's and don't be afraid to ask them to carpool. 

3. Schedule activities on the same evening and around the same time. Make sure they're within quick driving distance too. Then you can drop one off, then get the other to their activity, and run back to pick up. 

5. Think about activities that are within the season and ask if you can truly handle it. We had some weekends with gymnastic meets, soccer games, and football games. It was a lot! I had team mates take kids to events and I would meet them there if it conflicted with a game, or we would leave a game early to get to a meet. My kids come first, but if I can fit it all in, I will. 

6. Don't volunteer for more than you can handle. I say "no" to almost anything extra. I know my limits and even though I would love to have the time to help, I don't want to add unneeded stress. 

I would love to know how you schedule your kids activities and what tips you have! 

 

Beauty Questions

Last week, I was reading Erika's blog and saw her link up with The Blended blog for their beauty edition, and I totally loved the idea of sharing this, even though I'm way late to the link up party! 

So, here we go.... my little beauty edition.

1. Eyelash Curler: Yes or No?

Nope. I use to use one, but now I really don't think I need one. I add a drop of cedarwood, lavender, and rosemary to my mascara, and I feel like my lashes have grown and are long with just mascara. Though I do want to get false ones put on one day just so I don't have to deal with them much! 

2. Favorite Nail Shade?

I don't polish my nails. They chip too easily, and I'm way too OCD to look at chipped nails, and I don't have time to get them done. I usually buy OPI polish though and I will paint my toes. Right now, I'm wearing a purple shade, but I tend to wear pinks in the spring and summer, a brown or deep red in the fall. 

3. Favorite Lipstick Shade?

I'm obsessed with "On a Whim" from Savvy Minerals, but I also love their lip gloss from the winter Savvy Minerals collection, Rockin. I usually wear the lip gloss if I need more color. 

4. Blow Dry or Air Dry Your Hair?

It totally depends on the day. If I wash my hair at night, then I'll go to bed with it wet, but if I have to wash it in the morning, then I'll blow dry my hair. I only wash my hair a few times a week, so I don't have to blow dry it often :) 

5. Artificial Nails: Yes Or No?

No. I don't have time for that! 

6. Foundation: Yes or No?

Absolutely! I love my Savvy Minerals foundation in Warm 2. 

In the summer, I wear a Warm 3 mixed with Dark 1. 

7. Hair Up or Hair Down?

Both. Now that I cut my hair, you'll mostly find it down. But, I often throw it in to a pony tail at the end of the day. And, on day 3 or 4 of dirty hair, then it's almost always up. And yes, I do miss the messy bun. 

currently ^ 

8. Bar Soap or Body Wash?

Soap. I found the best local shop that makes their own soap using Young Living essential oils. 

The girls and I are all obsessed with the soap. I usually take them in and we each pick one out, and they seriously last us forever! 

9. Bath or Shower?

Shower every day. Well, almost every day ;)

Baths are for mommy time outs! I love adding a few handfuls of oil infused epsom salts, (I make sure to buy unscented salts, and add my own oils) and a bath bomb from Young Living. 

10. Favorite Body Lotion?

I fell in love with the Acure brand several months ago. I love that it's rated super low on the Think Dirty app, and doesn't have harmful ingredients. 

11. Do you wear perfume? What's Your Favorite Scent?

I absolutely love the scent of Joy. It's a perfect floral combination that makes me happy! 

12. Do you shave your legs every day?

Absolutely. I can't stand stubble. 

13. Favorite Lip Balm?

Young Living has amazing lip balms. I'm currently obsessed with the Grapefruit. 

14. How old were you when you first started wearing make up?

I think I was in 7th grade. I was allowed to wear powder, blush, mascara, and lip gloss. I remember on my 14th birthday, that my mom took a few of my friends to Clinique and we all had makeovers there! I also remember my mom telling me I couldn't wear eye liner because I'd look like a hooker. I'm pretty sure those were her words :0

A Day In the Life

Every once in a while, I like to document what our typical day looks like. I mean to do this way more often than I actually do, but Tuesday morning, I woke up and decided that I needed to document our day. 

My alarm went off about 6:15 am. I had already turned it off, and actually had to delete the alarm, because I couldn't get it to clear, when I decided that I needed to document. Most mornings, my alarm goes off at 6:15, but I usually lay in bed for about 15 minutes and scroll through a few blogs. 

I typically read the same blogs each day. 

And then I check my email, and any other notifications. 

Once I'm feeling more away (I'm totally NOT a morning person) I get up and take a quick shower. I only wash my hair 2-3 days a week so my showers are fairly quick. 

Once I was out of the shower, it's time for makeup. 

By now, it's about 7:20 and the girls are awake and getting their breakfast. Once my make up is done, I usually run out and check on them. But, DJ was off, and he and Addy were still in bed.  

 So, I started a load of laundry before making my way to the kitchen. 

 Where I found this kiddo hiding and drinking some juice. 

 I made breakfast. 

 Fixed a glass of Ningxia and Orange juice. 

And filled up the diffuser with Thieves before sending Megan upstairs to get dressed. 

I started to eat breakfast. 

When this kiddo woke up. 

By now, DJ was awake to, and the big girls were getting dressed and Adalyn was eating breakfast, so I fixed the girls lunches.  

Once everyone is dressed we fix hair. 

And then it throw on some clothes. 

And by 8:20, we're off  to school. 

Addy was super excited about school! I walked her inside, and then....

the big girls and I headed in to school. 

As soon as I get to work, I check my email. 

And I filled up my diffuser. 

The girls went to their classes, and I started my speech groups. 

We played Roll & Cover with my articulation students. And then about 10:15, Gretchen came in to the nurses office (my office is close by) saying she had hurt her foot in PE. We put some ice on her foot, and figured that it was just sprained, but we wanted to be sure. So, I called DJ.  

And he came to get her to have her checked out. She didn't want to walk, so he attempted to carry her to the car. 

He took her to the football offices, so one of the trainers could x-ray her foot. 

And, I headed outside for recess duty. 

After recess, DJ brought Gretchen back to school and brought me lunch. And I totally forgot at this point that I was trying to document our day. 

Later on, Megan came down to grab her library books off my desk. 

At the end of the day, Megan came back down with a friend, and I got ready for an after school meeting with a parent. Gretchen had kindness club, so she was staying at school until 5. After my meeting, Megan worked on her spelling, and I finished up some paperwork. It was close to 5, so we just stayed at school until Gretchen was finished. 

We picked up Adalyn and headed home. 

DJ was home and browning taco meat. The girls dumped their backpacks, showed off any work they did, and I started to help DJ with dinner. 

Gretchen sat down to read a book. 

We made enchiladas for dinner.

Adalyn ate some peanut butter and colored. 

And Megan had a party with her baby dolls. 

Eventually, Addy ended up in my bed watching Sophia. 

And I decided to put on my pajamas.

It was finally dinner time. I had half an enchilada, some taco meat, and quinoa. 

After dinner, I spent the next 30 minutes or so cleaning up the kitchen. 

DJ helped the girls put away their laundry. 

And then it was time to tuck in the girls. I read to Adalyn and snuggled her for a bit. 

And then it was Megan's turn. 

And finally Gretchen's.

DJ helped me tuck in the girls, but he made it back downstairs before me, so he went to the office to do some work. I joined him for a little bit, and then went back to the living room. 

I turned on the t.v, turned on my computer, and worked on a blog post. We watched Ellen's game show, and some of the Olympics.

I think we finally went to bed around 10:20 or so, after watching some of the news. 

Whew. Our day was pretty mundane, but it was busy.