Back to School Tips

It's back to school time! Dylan is starting preschool this year, although he is going to be attending only on Saturdays. With the start of the school year around the corner for myself, also, I am coordinating a million things at one time!

Here are some of the strategies I am using to stay sane (and tips for you, too!)

1) Don't overschedule yourself. Never overschedule yourself, or your child, especially during times of chaos when one of the parent is supplementing their full-time schedule with college courses. What we have done is postpone swimming until the end of November, and are pursuing soccer. Nate really wanted to do both, but we just don't have the time.

2) Menu plan ahead of time. I know that it seems like a difficult task to take on, but having a recipe book of about 40 recipes, a calendar, and accompanying shopping list is a huge help during those weeknights when you are struggling to put something together for dinner. Also, it will save you money - eating at home is always less difficult. Use Tastyplanner.com for these things.

3) Have a 30minute, night-before planning time. Take out the kids clothes, pack their bags, get lunches ready, layout your own clothes, look at your calendar and your to do list. This will help counter the morning struggles.

4) Delegate. Make sure you keep a list on the refrigerator about who is responsible for what chores.

5) Hire a housecleaner. You don't need to have a service come in and spend exhorbent amounts of money for you to have a housecleaner. Find a struggling college student, and have them come in at least every two weeks to give your house a clean. No, they aren't as thorough as a housecleaning service, but if you are broke - the help is well worth it.

I Sleep with a Pepsi Box

Thanksgiving day, my mother was playing with my son. They put random pieces of paper in a empty pepsi case. Ever since then, Dylan has been going around with the empty pepsi case (the same one, mind you) and forcing us to stuff it with random pieces of paper...

"my mailbox".. he says... since Daddy is a mail carrier, it makes me wonder if he's just following in his footsteps; somewhat of an admire my daddy type of thing...

so, since Dylan still sleeps with us... I am sleeping with an empty pepsi box... I wonder how long this will go on for :)

Time at Grandmas

You went to Grandma Mazz's last night and played with her puppies. We used her new digital camera to take pictures of you and they turned out really nice. Oh, and you decided you would crawl, so on January 1st, 2006 you began crawling. We are in trouble now!

Letter to Dylan, 9 months old

Dylan,

You are getting so big. You have fgrown from a 7lb 11oz peanut to a 21lb, 32" tall big boy who is just about to crawl any day now. It is the holiday season, and you are fascinated by the Christmas lights, both our own that we have strewn throughout the house and the ones that are put up around our neighbors' houses.

You are starting to sleep through the night once in a while, and this has really given mommy and daddy a break. We thought we wouldn't make it this far, but we certainly did. You have been quite the active child :)

You awake in the morning and you are still really tired. I sing you the same song every morning:

Good morning, good morning
good morning to you !
You are the sweetest baby ...

Good morning, good morning
good morning to you!
You are mama's boy...

You stretch out in your crib, the diaper on you is so wet that it looks uncomfortable. I pull you out of your crib and lay you on the floor, so I can change your butt and get you ready for daycare. You don't mind dressing so much, but you really hate your winter hat. Your winter coat is not your favorite, either, but with these Minnesota winters, you are the first to dress warm - I don't want you to get sick. I worry about you constantly (I am sure you will always remember this about me).

We go to Ernie's house... you love Ernie. Ernie is a hippy lady; she is 58 and has been doing daycare for over 16 years. I chose Ernie as your daycare lady becasue she is so affectionate and sweet. We gave her a Christmas gift this year - a Target gift card, and a note in a beautiful Christmas card that says how much we appreciate her. She has taken such good care of you while I have been at work.

You had your picture taken with Santa. You didn't even cry. It was so nice.. all the other kids were like FREAKING out, and there you were, just sitting there. I have the picture to prove it - you wore your red and black running suit.

Well, Christmas is on Sunday. You are going to open presents for the first time. You got a lot of good things, and I think that your whole family (as huge as it is) has officially spoiled you.

I love you little man ;)

I was sitting in the computer room with you, and you were bouncing like crazy in your bouncey chair. You are only 4 months old, but you love that TV already.. we call you TVaholic. I think the colors and the lights of the TV really excite you. You love Sprout TV, with Thomas the Tank Engine, Noddy, Sesame Street and the Berenstein Bears. I keep trying to tell Daddy to turn off the action flicks around you, and he has really gotten used to watching the "Goodnight Show" on Sprout with Melanie (she's the lady who runs the show). Daddy comments how she wears the same clothes everyday.

The picture of you and the Hooters onesie is with Auntie Chris holding you. Uncle Nick bought you that shirt...

Dylan 4 months

You were a ham today. I put you on the couch and took pictures of you in your GAP onesie and GAP hat. You have the best smile :)

We're off...

Dylan you and I are off to see Grandma Mazz! I have you dressed in your Harley Best.

You hate this outfit, too.

Why do you make the weirdest little faces when I get my camera out?

Is it because mommy takes pictures with her Palm Zire 71?