Yesterday was a wet, rainy day. I’m quite enjoying the wet, rainy days we’ve been having lately.
I got the girls ready and off to school and then Kole I did a little house work, exercised, and made chicken enchiladas so that everything would be ready at dinner time.
That’s right. You heard me. I cooked and I’m feeling pretty good about it! So good in fact that I think I’m done for the week in that department.
Then I ate lunch – the same thing I eat for lunch every day and have for oh… about 10 years. My turkey sandwich and baked lays and strawberries. I have such a weakness for baked lays chips! I like to convince myself that since they are “baked” I can eat as many as I want. And then I did a little organizing. Rainy days are the very best days for organizing. :)
I finally finished my new system for any and all paper in this household! Feels so good! I’ve also set up several different little “stations” throughout my house I’ll share over the next week or so. Here are a few of the stations in my kitchen…
This drawer was always our catch all drawer for paper. I used to have about 10 folders in here attempting to make sense of our paper work, but now that I have a new paper system, this drawer is just for a few miscellaneous things.
The only folders I kept in this drawer are the folders that hold all of our phone directories/numbers and the folder I have for all of my recipes. I know. There are so many better ways to organize recipes, but for someone who only uses a few recipes, this little red folder works just fine.
This drawer also holds these cute little notebooks I got in the dollar bins at Michael’s (I’m such a sucker for those dollar bins! And for cute little notebooks). I use one of them to jot down all of the girls latest quotes, one of them to jot down songs I like (I’m always listening to music and writing down songs I want to download) and the other one I’m using to write down little things about Kole at 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, etc. so I have that info. for his scrapbook. Very handy indeed. :)
Simple pen/scissors/tape drawer
A little drawer for our arts and crafts station. We have several through out the house. I’d love to have all of this stuff in one location, but the girls like to create downstairs and upstairs and I’ve just found it’s easier to keep supplies in both places.
Baby station which holds all of Kole’s bibs, spoons, binkies, etc. This drawer is right by the sink so I also use it for tooth brushes and tooth paste. Once I get my girls down the stairs in the morning we are so NOT going back upstairs. If they come down to eat and then go back upstairs to brush their teeth before school I’d loose them to their toys. They are too easily distracted so in the mornings we get completely ready upstairs, come down to eat and then stay down until it’s time to go. Which means brushing their teeth in the kitchen sink. Works for us.
And last but not least, our homework station. I have had this set up for several weeks now and I’m loving it! It’s so nice to have everything we need for homework in one drawer. Ellie’s stuff is on the left, and Addison’s is right next to it. There are always plenty sharp pencils, and plenty crayons for coloring. Pretty stressful homework at this age. :)
It’s raining again today and aside from running a few errands, we don’t have much on our agenda. Love days like this. Think I’ll switch gears and catch up on a little laundry and scrapbooking.
Happy Tuesday!
xoxo, Erin
Please share your paper storage station!! I’m at a loss as to what to do with my kids papers from school & daycare. Love your kitchen stations, they are all so nicely organized. I have a “junk” drawer in my kitchen that is my dirty little secret.. who knows what lives in there :)
Oh really….. I seriously think we could be twin sisters! Everything in this post is totally me too! Love rainy days and what better way to spend them than organizing!
Erin, you are like manna from heaven!!! My life, lately, has been all about rethinking my organizational style. I USED to be organized… I really did. To a fault. When I only had a couple of babies, Matt would play a little game with me *without my knowledge* by misplacing something, and then time how long it would take for that item to magically be put back in it’s place (my nickname was Monica, from “Friends”). But when I had boy numero 4, I had to chill out or else I would’ve imploded. It’s time, however to reclaim my domain. I am stepping out of my “Lord of the Flies” lifestyle once and for all. Your post’s have been priceless and are keeping me on track when I am feeling lazy and discouraged. Thank YOU!!!!
Your drawers look great! I always feel better after I organize.
This is so clever and creative! Love it! I’m getting lots of ideas for when I have a house and kiddies, G-d willing:)
wow what a great job you did!!!! Looking good :-)
Erin,
I found your Blog recently and LOVE it. Thank you for inspiring me with all your work stations!! I like to organize, too….but needed some help with how to get started and then keep it going….so thanks. Your house is beautiful….!!
Now I’m jealous that you have so many drawers in your kitchen…as well as your wonderful organization skills. I am going to get there and these posts sure are helping :) Thanks so much for taking the time to share. All of those crayons made me smile :)
I’m amazed at how organized some people are. I’ve never been an organized person…ever. That said, I’m inspired and I love your organization posts!
Stacy :-)
Love it! But where are all ur untecils, spoons and stuff? I have tried this but it all just gets messed-up, time to redo…also, Id love to see what you do with your papers?
I am envious of your stations. I thought I was organized until I saw this! Good for you!! LOVE IT!
i’m loving this rainy weather as well! cute little notebooks. I was just at michaels yesterday & got the notecards in the same design (i didn’t see the cute notebooks!). i might just have to go back & grab some. who can pass up $1 bins??? ;)
Yeah, I had the same question Erin. Where do you keep all your kitchen stuff? I have a lot of drawers in my kitchen but all my cooking stuff is taking them up.
Great organizing as always Erin! You motivate us all :)
Erin, is that one of those charging station mats…? under your electronic stuff? and if so, do you like it?
Ok-we need to set a date for a POM review! I need to see what you have done! I am free now that I got my sad news! :(
Oh I LOVE your house!!! It looks so neat…you are so motivating!
I also love all the pacis…you can never have enough of those.
I am very impressed! You have the organized drawer/home systems I would love to have established in my home!
Where did you get the great drawer organizers? Were they terribly expensive? We are Poor right now, due to job loss, (and yes, with a capital P)…
I have 4 comments:
1. I’m so proud of you for cooking and those enchiladas looked divine!
2. You eat really healthy lunches. Baked chips are totally part of the veggie group.
3. I also LOVE those little notebooks.
4. That’s a butt-load of crayons.
This may make you laugh – I read this post before I went to yoga and then in the middle of Shavasna (the ending relaxing period where thoughts come and go … one of them was, oh how I wish Erin could come organize my home)! Love cozy rainy days and love your idea of the notebooks – I have one in my bathroom drawer, thanks to you. I was finding that an idea would pop into my head and by the time I came in to my office I would forget it (sad I know). Are you organized on your clothing? Would love to read yous post on this. You could write a book!
Fun post to read through Erin. Love all that organization!
Way to go on the chicken enchiladas too! :)
I, too, got a little notebook to keep my “kid quotables” in and I jot something down in it nearly every day. It’s so fun to go back and read the funny things the kids say.
Those enchiladas are making me hungry.
Dear Erin, congrats for cooking! See? You can do it, if you want :-) You are so good at organizing! In our “huge” flat of 533sq.ft. I’m so disappointed of my organizing skills.. I’m always telling to myself that I would be better in a larger house!? Anyway, I have a lot to learn from you. You are such a great model in organizing!
I love it! “I cooked!” so funny!
I need a kid-quotable book, great idea! Thanks Erin!
Holy crayons! LOL. ;-) I know of a “junk drawer” in my home that could use some serious organizing, I’ve just put if off because in reality I don’t have to dig in it too often. I am a very organized person though, and I’m a little anal-retentive about the way our clothes are folded and our bath towels, bed sheets, etc. I’m blaming the Navy for doing that to me. Now that Christmas is well on its way I want to stay organized with all my decorating stuff. I start Christmas decor a week or 2 into Nov. It is SOOO much work to not enjoy it for at least 6 weeks. Lets say my home is a winter wonderland, and tastefully done. :o) I’ll have to take pics! Ok, I’m rambling. Love you Erin, you’re awesome. Hope you have a great week!
Best~
Amber
I have a question for you. How do you keep all of the stuff in the drawers from sliding to the back when you close the drawer? I even bought that rubber drawer liner and my stuff still slides to the back. Especially in my kids’ school drawer because they slam it. LOL
I also have the sliding stuff issue in my drawers….
please enlighten us.
I’m cracking up! I have so much kitchen stuff I can’t keep it all in one drawer. It looks like you have one fork, knife, and spoon per person in there! I now have 3 sets of 12 place setting, 2 every day and a formal. I don’t know how you do it. We have 3 drawers of art supplies and work books and I just went through them a couple of days ago and got rid of an entire garbage bag full! I know it can’t be because of the 4th child because he doesnt do anything yet!!! I think another major clean out is coming to our house!
Great stations Erin! So organized.
I love, love, love all of your organizing posts!! Keep ’em coming!
WOW! You rock girl. I love how organized you are…I need to clean out a few drawers around here again!
I love the stations – great organizing concept.
You’re so my hero! I’m a new follower from IHeartOganizing. Can’t wait to read more posts!
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Hey! I popped over from tumblr (someone linked to your blog from theirs) and I just have to say my OCD brain LOVES all your posts about organization. I’m so excited about it that I want to start an overhaul of my apartment right now…and it’s midnight! LOL! ;)
Have a wonderful weekend! Nice to “meet” you!