Top Ten

So the girls have been begging to do a “game day” at the house with their friends.  It’s like a fair but with all games they make up and direct.  I somehow skirted around this by agreeing to do a themed back to school pool party in two weeks.  And since Back to School isn’t such a fun theme to decorate around your pool, we decided to stick a Luau theme on it.  Yes, the invites read “Back to School Hawaiian Pool Party”.  We Bennett girls are nothing if not wordy.  So, Pinterest to the rescue!  I’ve pinned some great party ideas and here are my Top 10!

1. OF COURSE you have to have leis.  But how about making them as the party craft first thing?

 

2. And I know this is wedding material and all but wouldn’t a bunch of little girls be adorable with flowers in their hair?

 

3. I’m sure the grownups would appreciate some Hawaiian pizza

 

4. Not to mention some Aloha Cake!

 

5. Or Aloha smoothies?

 

OK, let me get back on track. This is a KIDS party not an adult party

6. The girls simply can not wait to have this jello watermelon

 

7. Or the Blue Hawaiian Ice

 

8. OR the carved Shark watermelon

 

9. Oh and we should probably have some decorations. I think this wreath is super cute.

 

10. And finally yes, I’ve relented to some games. And how about a cool sign to point the kids in the right direction?

 

If I can pull all this together, the kids will be talking about this for years. I can not wait!

This post is linked up to ohAmanda’s Top Ten Tuesday.

Lexi asleep with my work laptop (and Starbucks Frappuccino) nearby

 

Since I’ve gone full-time at work, it’s been really difficult to fit in everything I want to do.  In fact, some things have completely fallen off the list altogether.  But I’ve learned a few things over the years as a mom, and especially the past few months, to help life happen around here.

The Evening is Your Friend

As tired as you are set aside time after the kids’ bed time and before yours to get ready for the next day.  Set out clothes, pack as much lunch as you can, even shower.

Freeze Your Meals

My mother will love this one but cooking and freezing ahead will be a huge time-saver, not to mention a stress-reducer.

Watch TV on DVR

Isn’t this a must?  Don’t ever waste your time watching a show live.  Did you know for a one hour show nearly 20 minutes are commercials?  You save 30% of your time just by using a DVR.  It doesn’t take much math to realize whatever the cost, it is worth it!

Or, Don’t Watch TV

Yep, I’m going there.  Honestly, I do not watch TV since I started my full-time job.  It saves HOURS every week and I do not miss it.  Yes, you may need to wean yourself off like me.  Even before I took my job, I started weeding out shows that I wasn’t fanatic about.

Run Errands Weekly

I used to run to the grocery store and bank anytime I needed. I had every lunch hour free to do whatever I want.  But now, I group all my errands for a day that I work from home and run, run, run.

Use Your Drive Time

Use your commute time wisely.  When commuting alone, use that time for prayer or listening to an audio book that you don’t otherwise have time to read.  When commuting as a family, use that time for good family chatting or testing of skills like multiplication.

Put Your Kids to Work

Do not underestimate what your kids can help out with.  My kids LOVE to help with laundry and yes, even clean the toilet.  It saves you time and helps them learn tasks.

Automate Your Bills and Go Paperless

This is a no-brainer for me but making your payments automatically will save you time from keeping your eye on the due date, saves time writing the bills, not to mention the money on the checks.   And while you’re at it, go paperless on all your bills and save yourself the time on opening and filing mail.

Put Your Calendar On Your Phone

It saves me so much time and headache to put all of our appointments in my phone with 2 reminders each.  No longer do I have to spend head-space remembering them but I also don’t have to keep up with all the reminder cards or cleaning off the fridge or my purse of them.  Plus, I don’t miss appointments.

Get Help

Maybe at one point you had it all together and could do everything but maybe, like me, a child or promotion later you just don’t have the time to get it all done.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  I have no shame in someone else cleaning my house.  I’m exhilarated that my Mom cleaned out my fridge while we were on vacation.  Paid or not, welcome help.  You don’t have to do it all.  Let me repeat, you don’t have to do it all.

 

So, busy people, what else am I missing?  I would love more tips on saving time as a mom!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Decisions, decisions. This is for our bedroom. It will basically hang at the foot of the bed, midway between the fireplace and headboard. What I really was after was a pretty chandelier to be the girly jewelry in an otherwise manly room. However, after a quick look at lightingdirect.com and shadesoflighting.com, I have just a *few* more options. Halp!

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What say you?

See more Top Ten Tuesday posts over at ohAmanda.com