How to Pack the Kids for Summer Traveling

Now that summer vacation has officially started, it's time to get organized for traveling! Whether your trip is a week-long cruise to an exotic destination or a quick camping trip, packing in an organized fashion is an essential skill. Our family takes short weekend trips to visit the grandparents (both sets are out of town) or to go camping (mostly with Scouts), with a longer family vacation thrown in every couple of years. We average 5-7 overnight trips away from home per year. With three kids and a dog, packing can become a nightmare that usually involves a frustrated mom, impatient dad and crabby kids. In order to solve some of our packing challenges, I created a Packing Checklist for the boys. On the list, I added everything I could think of that they might want to pack (from Scout uniforms to toothbrushes). Why reinvent the wheel for each trip?

{packing list from our last Scout camping trip}

Before each trip, I make adjustments to the list (by using the Strikethrough in Microsoft Word) according to where we are going and what activities we will participate in. That way, all of the items remain on the list, but the boys know not to pack the items that are stricken from the list. I change the quantities of items, depending on how many days we will be gone. Then, I print 3 copies and - Voila! - the boys can pack themselves. This system has saved us so much time & hassle of constantly trying not to forget essential items while packing.

Organize Your Garage for Winter!

Winter is rolling in fast, and if your garage is still a chaotic mess of summer toys, forgotten tools, and everything in between, it’s time to act! Picture this: a garage so organized and cozy, you’ll want to spend time in it—even when the temps drop! With just a little elbow grease and some fun

How to Organize and Store Your Autumn Decor Without Losing Your Pumpkin Spice Mind

Moving: Thinking Outside the Box(es)

Moving to a new place is a big deal, and there’s a lot more to it than just putting your stuff in boxes. While you’re busy getting ready for your move, there are some important things you might not have thought about. Here are a few simple things to keep in mind to make your