Get Your Family Back to School Ready

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The best way to make any event in your life successful is to plan for it. You plan for weeks for birthday parties, showers, and even interviews. The same planning and preparation is necessary to get your family back to school ready. There are key areas below to focus on that will ensure a fantastic first week back. You will find even more extras on the free printable checklist to crush that first day of school without breaking a sweat.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

 

Find out how to get your family back to school ready as well as a free printable checklist to crush that first day of school without breaking a sweat.

 

[bctt tweet=”How to get your family back to school ready + a free printable checklist to crush that first day of school.” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Bedtime Rituals

Ease your kids back into the school schedule by pushing bedtimes back to the earlier school hour. Starting a few weeks in advance and gradually working back to the desired time in 15 minute increments is the easiest way to do this is to this. It is also important to reestablish bedtime rituals. If you have been lax about how late kids can play video games or whether they get a shower each night, start reintegrating these habits weeks before the first day of school.

Don’t forget about you as well. If you are a stay-at-home or work-at-home parent then your sleep schedule can be out of whack too. Start trying to get to bed earlier, again working in 15 minute increments for your body to adjust. It is also a good idea to create your own bedtime rituals that will teach your body the natural pattern of getting sleepy.

Wake Times

It is also important to get up at the scheduled time for school. Don’t let your kids sleep in. Instead, start getting them up at the time they will be getting up for school. The same goes for mom. If you have things you like to do in the morning before the kids are up, you will have to adjust your wake time as well. This is also a good time to reestablish the breakfast and general morning routine.

Freezer Meals

Get your freezer back to school ready by making an assortment of freezer meals. Don’t limit yourself to dinners, either. Breakfasts will be a lot easier if you have options ready to heat up in the freezer. Prepare pancakes and waffles in large batches and freeze for quick breakfasts. You can also go for a healthier option with these Protein-Packed Freezer Breakfast Burritos. Casseroles and slow cooker meals are perfect for breakfast and dinner. Make your family’s favorites when getting prepped for quick meals.

 

Find out how to get your family back to school ready as well as a free printable checklist to crush that first day of school without breaking a sweat.

Organize Clothes

Take the time to get your kids’ clothes organized before school starts. If you are buying new clothes for your kids, take the time to clean out old clothes that don’t fit. This will let you know what your child truly needs and what you can save a little cash on as well. Once you have done that, make sure you get an outfit system in place. Use these printable organizing labels to clearly define each outfit of the day. The school year can also include a need to revamp your laundry schedule. Be prepared to go through more laundry, especially if your child wears a uniform or has separate school and play clothes.

Reading

If you haven’t made reading a priority over the summer break make sure to start reintegrating into the daily routine before school starts. Set time amounts instead of page amounts, especially if your child is still a beginning reader. The lack of daily practice might have left them a little rusty. Daily reading will help get them back into the swing of academia before the school years starts and help them start off on a stronger footing. This is also an excellent time to sift through the bookshelves and donate those books that your kids have outgrown.

By focusing on the five areas about you are making sure your child starts the school year off with a bang (in a good way). You will also be making the transition easier on you and less stressful. Don’t forget to grab your free printable Back to School Timeline Checklist before you go. Lastly, check out how to Love Shopping for School Supplies before you get the supply list.

See where I’m linking up!

Merry Monday Link Party 115

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Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Do you ever have those weeks when you totally drop the ball? Projects fall through the cracks, the normal family routine goes out the window, and dinner is heating up leftovers more nights than it’s not. I had one of those weeks and it bodyslammed me. I know exactly what happened (and I’m going to help you out with some tips later this week) but essentially extra work and commitments got piled onto my plate and I didn’t integrate them into my schedule the way I should have. Tonight, let’s relax with the Merry Monday Link Party 115!

When you have more work, obligations, and more but don’t alter your schedule to accommodate them, something is bound to slip between the cracks. Keep that in mind when planning your week this week. Make sure you remember to prioritize and when you want to add something new to your schedule, something old has to go. Come back this week for even more tips to help you dominate your to-do list!

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Welcome to the Merry Monday Link Party #115

Meet the hosts of the 2016 Merry Monday Merry Monday Party Hosts

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Hanging Toothbrush Organizers from Thrifted Frames

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There is no law stating that organization has to be ugly or hidden. In fact, the more aesthetically pleasing your systems are the higher likelihood that you will use them. If your budget limits you from buying the Pottery Barn organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These hanging toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution. This month I’ve paired up again with a group of awesome and creative ladies to bring you the monthly Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge. We create a new home decor piece from an item(s) we’ve found at a thrift store, yard sale, resale shop etc. There is no budget or specific theme so we are free to let our creativity run wild! 

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

 

Thrift Store DecorUpcycle Challenge 2

Amanda | The Kolb Corner      Chelc| Inside the Fox Den     
Erlene | My Pinterventures     Kim | Made in a Day     Sara | Twelve on Main    
Debra | Shoppe No. 5      Shirley | Intelligent Domestications    
Marie | DIY Adulation     Lindsay | Crazy Organized   Michelle | Our Crafty Mom    
Julie | Live From Julie’s House     Dru | Polka Dot Poplars    
Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles     Pili | Sweet Things        
Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek     Ann | Duct Tape and Denim     Sherry | Savvy Apron   

You can also follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

 

[bctt tweet=”Find out how to make these toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames!” username=”diyadulation”]

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Materials

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 1

First, clean and disassemble your frames. Sand them if necessary.

Note:

  • I chose not to sand mine because there was no lacquer on the wood. If yours do, I recommend sanding.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 2

Set up a protected surface on which to work and paint your first coat of blue paint on your frames.

Step 3

Set the frames off to the side to dry. Next, clean the glass panes removed from the frames if you are using them.

Note:

  • I didn’t use the glass but, in the interest of full transparency, I had originally planned to. Unfortunately, I am the clumsiest woman alive. I tripped on the extremely flat floor of my office and busted one of the panes on the back of my desk chair. Since I didn’t have a replacement, I was forced to work with what I had. I still love how these turned out despite the absence of glass.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 4

Trace your cardboard inserts on your yellow cardstock.

Tip:

  • Trace each insert individually. Although both frames are 5×7, the fact that they are thrifted can mean size variations. Make your life easier by tracing each insert separately from the start.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 5

Cut your traced images out of the cardstock.

Note:

  • If using the glass panes, skip to step 10 now.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 6

Place a coat of Mod Podge onto your cardboard insert.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 7

Immediately set your matching yellow cut-out on top.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 8

Cover the top of the paper with another coat of Mod Podge to seal it. Allow it to dry.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 9

Repeat steps 6 through 8 for your second cardboard insert.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 10

Next, put a second coat of paint on your frames. Allow the paint to dry completely.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 11

Once your frames (and inserts) are dry reassemble them.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 12

Find the seam on one votive holder and run a line of hot glue down it.

 

Step 13

Next, attach the votive holder to the bottom center of the inside of your frame (where the picture would be).

Tips:

  • Working fast will allow you to slide the votive holder so that it is pressed against the inside bottom lip of the frame.
  • If you use electric toothbrushes instead of manual, use E6000 in place of the hot glue. This will create a stronger hold, allowing it to support the extra weight. Make sure that you allow the E6000 to dry for 24 hours before using your frames.

 

If you can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams, take heart. These toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

Step 14

Repeat step 13 with your second frame. Once every element is completely dry, hang on your bathroom wall and enjoy!

 

Can't afford the PB organizing systems of your dreams? Take heart. Hanging toothbrush organizers from thrifted frames are the perfect budget solution.

If you’re still looking for bathroom organization, check out this awesome upcycled bathroom organizer. Don’t forget to check out my friends before you go.

Be sure to check out all of the other creative upcycle projects my fellow bloggers have come up with!