Happy June – Free iPhone iPad Desktop Wallpaper

Free June 2020 Wallpapers grab your Free iPhone iPad Desktop Wallpaper

It’s June!!  Need Some Good News, Or At Least Something Free To Start The Month.  Grab Your Free iPhone Ipad Desktop Wallpaper.

This month’s calendar and wallpapers feature beautiful floral prints in pink hues.   I don’t know about you but,  I am definitely ready for Summer to Officially Start, even if I am not sure what that looks like this year.

In the past,  I’ve shared free printable calendars and tech wallpapers, and I’ve been thinking about doing that again.  If you are interested,  make sure to subscribe to my mailing list to get free updates, delivered straight to your inbox!

I trust this month’s calendars will help you to stay on track.

Click Here for Directions on How to Install Your iPhone Wallpaper.

And … Here’s To An Awesome June,  from your Stage Presents Family.

Rejoining the Ranks of Working Moms

After six years of being home with my babies, I am finally back to work full time.  As you can imagine, making this decision was not an easy one for me.  Aside from just knowing that I would miss the flexibility that being a stay at home mom afforded me.  I also worried about being able to balance home and work efficiently and with ease.  As a self proclaimed perfectionist, I like for things to go just so.  Something that is much harder to accomplish, when you work for someone else outside of the home.  I’d love to say that I immediately found the solutions to make things run smoothly, but if I am honest, it is still very much a work in progress.

Here are a few things that seem to be helping us keep all the balls in the air, or at the very least stop them from rolling under the couch.

ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH. — HELEN KELLER

  1.  Enlisting Everyone In The Struggle.  I will be the first to admit that being at home gave me the luxury of being picky.  This allowed me  to create a “Mom Will Do It” culture, and Mom did. It’s not like I did not know that I would regret it.   I did and I do. But, now that I don’t have many free hours in the day.  I have had to solicit the help of everyone in the household.  And, as much as I hate to admit that in this case delegating seems to be working, and is taking a lot of pressure of me. Check Out This Fun Money Chore System we’ve implemented (originally found on The Chic Site Blog.  
  2. Putting Everyone on The Same “Calendar”.  Thankfully, my girls are not in a lot of after school extra curricular activities, so I am not running them too many places.  But, we do have doctors appointments, dentist appointments, hair and nail salon appointments that all must be worked into the schedule.  Not to mention weekends with the grandparents, etc.  The Family Calendar strategically placed on the fridge in the kitchen keeps everyone abreast of what is going on.   For things that absolutely can not be forgotten, hubby and I share a Google Calendar.
  3. Having An Interested Partner.  I say interested partner because unfortunately I am privy to way too many situations where even though you have a partner, they tend to not be interested.  What I mean by this is that, they need to be just as committed to the success of the systems you put in place, as you are.
  4. Technology Is Your Friend.  If you have been following the blog for a while you know I set my sail by technology.  I use it as much as I can to make my life easier.  Since I can’t just pop up at the school during the day anymore, I have to find a way to make my presence felt.  This is where all the new fun and useful teacher apps come into play.
  5. Planning Ahead.  I honestly think this is the key to success on pretty much every front.  Even though you can not anticipate exactly what is to come.  You can plan for things that remain the same.  I try to prep my meals, plan out my outfits and the kid’s outfits for the week and stick to a regular schedule, when it comes to Laundry and Other Housekeeping tasks.  This makes my life just a bit easier.

What do you do to strike a balance between home life and work life?  What are your fail safes, I would love to hear all about it in our comments section below.

Grab Your Free Back to School Binder Covers

Free Back to School Binder Covers

In the South, most kids have started heading back to school.  Today was my girls very first day. Thankfully, we got a jump start on Back to School Shopping this year and we  were able to totally avoid being in the stores when they turned into a mad house.

As has been our tradition for the past couple of years, I made new Binder Covers for my girls for the 2018-2019 school year.  I get way too much joy out of personalizing their things.   And, if you are anything like me and love to add splashes of pizzazz here and there, feel free to grab this year’s freebies and make them your own.  If you do so and you are particularly proud of your creation.  Be sure to snap a pic and post it to Instagram, using the hashtag #spbbtsbinders.  I am excited to see what you all come up with.

This is our 3rd year sharing these Back to School Binder Covers, so if you didn’t find something that you like in this year’s bundle.  Be sure to check out the ones from 2017-2018 and or  the ones from 2016-2017.

Binder Cover Closeups

Grab Yours Today (L-R), by clicking A, B, or C.  to take you to the Binder Cover of your liking.  Once your document opens, Right Click and Save and then Personalize.

A.      B.    C.

Summer Fun + Free Summer Bucket List

Summer Fun

It’s that time of year.  The sun is blazing, ice pops and ice cream have made it on to the Approved Foods List.  Summer fun and recreation trump studies, the days almost seem to run on auto pilot, and go by way too fast.  This year we kicked off the summer with a Quick Family Vacation to the Keys.  We took full advantage of the Florida sun and beaches while catching up with friends and family.

Every year the girls and I make a big show of discussing all the things we want to do over the summer. and unfortunately we never seem to make it through most of  it. So this year we decided to print out a Physical Summer Bucket List, and we are having a blast crossing things off as we go.

What is on your list of Fun Things to do this summer, now that the kids are out of school?  Grab your Copy of Our Summer Bucket List Here.

Summer Bucket List

Snackin’ It Up

Snackin' It Up - A List of Snack Ideas

“I’m hungry.”

“You just ate.”

“But, I’m still hungry, what do we have to snack on?”

This was pretty much the narrative between me and my 8 year old through out the whole week of Spring Break.  Now, after having three kids I know that Winter Break, Spring Break and especially Summer Break means that my children will most likely take this opportunity to try to eat me out of house and home.  Especially since my oldest is a boy.  He literally set the standard.  I actually have to plan for these breaks by allotting for extra money to go towards my grocery budget.  If your kids are around the same age as mine are, I am sure that you will understand just what I am talking about.

After years of having the same experience, I finally decided to create a go to list of snack foods to keep on hand, especially during The Breaks.  (Fall, Spring, and Summer.)

FRUITS

  1.   Apples
  2.   Clementines
  3.  Blueberries and Strawberries
  4.   Pineapples
  5.   Bananas
  6.   Grapes
  7.   Watermelon
  8.   Canteloupe
  9.   Honeydew

SALTY SNACKS

  1.   Popcorn
  2.   Chips
  3.   Almonds
  4.   Cashews
  5.   Sunflower Seeds
  6.   String Cheese
  7.   Lunch Meat
  8.   Pretzels
  9.   Peanut Butter

VEGETABLES

  1.   Celery with Hummus, Almond Butter, Peanut Butter
  2.   Baby Carrots
  3.   Grilled Veggies
  4.   Roasted Broccoli
  5.   Guacamole
  6.   Grapefruit

OTHER

  1.   Lunch Meat
  2.   Tuna
  3.   Egg Salad
  4.   Yogurt
  5.   Crackers

TREATS

  1.   Ice Pops
  2.   Ice Cream
  3.   Jello Pudding
  4.   Applesauce

What are the snacks that you keep in stock for your own Mom Sanity?  Am I missing anything?  I’d love to hear what some of your Go To’s are in the comments below.

Staying Connected

Staying Connected: 20 Questions to Ask Your Teenage Daughter

Now, that my daughter has officially hit her teenage years, I’ve noticed that just asking how her day was seems to get me less and less.  Last year on Pinterest, I ran across several lists of questions to ask your kids in lieu of How Was Your Day?  And, my girls and I had so much fun with it.  It opened up the door to limitless conversations and a lot of laughter.

So with their help, I decided to come up with a list of my own, in no particular order.

  • Who did you sit with at lunch today?
  • What was for lunch today?
  • Who would you say is your closest friend at school?
  • What school activities are going on this week?
  • What is your favorite movie?
  • What is your favorite tv show?
  • What is your favorite song?
  • What is your ideal day?
  • What is your favorite dessert?
  • What was your favorite day?
  • Is there anyone at school that needs your help?
  • Is there anyone at school that needs my help?
  • Do you like your teachers?
  • What is your favorite class?
  • What is your least favorite class and why?
  • What can I do to help you with that class?
  • So far what was the best day of your life?
  • So far what was the worst day of your life?
  • What are you thankful for?

We are always looking for new questions to add to our list, what are some of the questions that you ask your kids to get to know them better?

TODAY I WILL STOP AND LISTEN TO THEIR LAUGHTER. I WILL BREATHE IN THEIR JOY. I WILL PLAY AND BE PART OF THEIR MEMORIES NOT JUST THE MEMORY MAKER.

Planning It All Out

Planning It Out - What To Track In Your Planner

Here’s something that you should know about me, absolutely everything in my life is always a work in progress.  I am very seldom satisfied with the way things are.  I realize that can be a bad thing, but in this case I think it’s OK.  Being part of the planner community has definitely taken me through stages.  What does that mean?  Well, it means that I probably spent way too much money and energy on stickers, stamps, stencils and other things that I thought would make my planner pretty and keep me more organized.  And it definitely made it lovely, but It did not actually make me more functional, which was the whole point.  Don’t get me wrong it was great for Instagram and Facebook posts, and I loved looking at it.  But, it was not helping me to actually achieve my goals or complete my tasks in a timely manner. In addition to that I went through several types of planners and styles, before I finally settled on one that worked for me.  That doesn’t mean that I don’t still get enticed by the planner section in Staples or Office Depot, but ultimately I think that I have found a system that works for me.

My planner has become my life line, as much as I wouldn’t exactly want to admit that at 41 I need little reminders, I do.  I guess I can’t still claim Mommy brain, since my oldest is 7 years old.  But, that is kinda what it feels like, when you have to keep track of what everyone has to do and where everyone has to be.  After lots of trial and error, these are the things that I track in my planner that keep me on top of things.

Health-Wise – I track my:

  • Water Intake
  • Exercise
  • Steps
  • Hours Slept
  • Headaches
  • Weight Loss
  • Weight Gain
  • Prescriptions Filled
  • Vitamins

Family-Wise – I track:

  • Dr’s Appointments
  • Salon Appointments
  • Nail Salon Appointments
  • School Field Trips
  • School Projects
  • Quizzes/Tests
  • Family Trips and Birthdays
  • Family Wish Lists (Things the kids and hubby have been asking for)

Household-Wise – I track:

  • Laundry Detergent/Fabric Softener/Bleach Purchases
  • Cleaning Schedule
  • Spring/Summer/Winter Cleaning
  • Decorating by the Season
  • Household Wish List (Things we want to purchase for the house)

Just Because I am ME – I track:

  • Prayer Lists
  • What I’m Reading
  • What I’m Wearing
  • Moods

“A DREAM WRITTEN DOWN WITH A DATE BECOMES A GOAL.  A GOAL BROKEN DOWN INTO STEPS, BECOMES A PLAN.  A PLAN BACKEd bY ACTION MAKES YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.”

What is something you absolutely have to keep track in your planner or otherwise to be effective?  I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below.

2017 Christmas Coloring Sheets

2017 Christmas Coloring Sheets

Less than a Week until Christmas, and this Mommy is exhausted.  But, I am still plugging away.  Meanwhile my baby girl who isn’t getting any homework this week, has a million things that she wants to show me, projects she wants to work on, oh and things she really needs to borrow my phone for.   So I thought I would whip up these Coloring Sheets to keep her busy.  It sounded like a good idea, but she made quick work at it.  I am sure that I am not the only one with little ones under foot.  So, I thought I would share these as this year’s Christmas Coloring Sheets.

Christmas Mouse       Chimney Santa        Baby Jesus        Christmas Candles

Today was officially my kids last day of school for the year, so while they were gone, I finally finished up Our Christmas Basket.  I actually intended to do away with this tradition, simply because Our New Christmas Stockings hold considerably more than last year.  But, since they asked about it, I had to pull them out.  I’ve seen so many versions of this tradition, basically every family seems to put their own spin on it.  And, I think that is just what makes it special.  I try to keep ours relatively simple.

  • Christmas PJ’s
  • Christmas Coloring/Activity Books
  • Classic Christmas Book
  • Candy or Fruit Snacks
  • Novelty Items such as Funky Pens, Folders, Notebooks, Erasers

Christmas Baskets

All About The Stockings..

All About The Stockings

Photo Source: Credit: Jose Luis Pelaez The Image Bank Getty Images

There are less than two weeks left before Christmas.  If you are lucky enough to be done with your shopping and your decorating, the only thing left to do is to Fill those Stockings!!  This just happens to be one of my favorite Christmas Traditions.  When it comes to Christmas gifts, my kids normally give us a general idea of what they like.  But, the Christmas stocking … let’s just say I have free reign where that is concerned.  When my oldest was younger and my pockets were lighter, I stuffed it with things that I knew he LOVED, like Yoo-Hoo’s, mini boxes of his favorite cereals, Candy, and Gum.

As the years went by our Christmas Stockings evolved.  So here are some of the things that I use to fill our Christmas Stockings.

For My Son (21):

  • Dress Socks
  • Hand Lotion
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Gift Cards
  • Mini Tissue Packs
  • Pens
  • Note Pads
  • Batteries

For My Teenage Daughter: 

  • Lip Gloss
  • Hand Lotion
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Hand Wipes
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Midi Rings*
  • Funky Pens and Pencils
  • Sticker Books
  • Cell Phone Cases
  • Funky Socks
  • Winter Hats
  • Gloves
  • Dry Erase Markers
  • Microfiber Cloths

For My Younger Daughter:

  • Legos (Small Box Sets)
  • Pencil Top Erasers
  • Socks
  • Gloves
  • Winter Hats
  • Coloring Books
  • Crayons
  • Colored Pencils
  • Art Supplies
  • Sketch Books
  • Fidget Spinners
  • Hair Barrettes and Hair Bows
  • Frilly Church Socks
  • Stockings/Tights
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunglasses Case
  • Dry Erase Markers

Hubby:

    • Dress Socks
    • Regular Socks
    • Phone Cases
    • Pens
    • Gift Cards
    • Mini Liquor Bottles
    • Play Station Games
    • Car Chargers
    • USB Chargers
    • Lotion
    • Hand Sanitizer
    • Hand Wipes
    • Mini Tissue Packs
    • Razors
    • Batteries

Favorite Places to Shop for Stocking Stuffers:

  • Five and Below
  • The Dollar Store
  • Kroger/Publix
  • Bath and Body Works
  • Ross
  • TJmaxx
  • Marshalls
  • Home Goods
  • Brookstones

FUN FACT:

According to the St. Nicholas Center Organization, St. Nicholas aided the poor, especially those girls whose families could not afford to give them dowries, by dropping gold down chimneys or through windows. This money would land in stockings that were hung up to dry. Another story says that the stocking tradition began when children would leave their shoes out filled with hay for Santa Claus’s horse. He then would replace the hay with gifts.

St. Nicholas was reputedly born in the third century in Patara, a place that is now Demre, Turkey. His parents, who raised him as a Christian in what was then a Grecian province, died in an epidemic. Nicholas used what was left of the family fortune to help those less fortunate. He eventually became the Bishop of Myra where he continued his good works. He died on December 6, on what is now known as St. Nicholas Day. Many countries, such as Poland, celebrate this day with gift giving and feasts.

What are some of the things that you use to stuff your Christmas Stockings?  I would love to hear about it, in the comment section below.

Dividing The Work Load

As a Mom, I feel like I am tasked with the job of teaching my children responsibility while still allowing them to be children.  It is never my desire for them to feel like they are in the army, but it is my desire for them to realize how much more can be accomplished when we all pull our own weight.  I love my Mom to death, but I think that part of her aggravation when we were children came from her doing everything herself.  I realize how easy it is to fall into that pattern, especially if you are like me and you want things done a certain way.  But, now that my own daughters are getting older, I have decided that it is high time, we all have our own chores that we are responsible.  Confession Time:  For years, I have introduced chores and then pulled back from them.  But, I don’t think i am doing them any favors by allowing them an opt out clause, or myself for that matter.

I know that every child grows and develops at their own pace, but I look at my oldest daughter and I know that there are definitely things that she could be doing for herself that would make my day to day life that much easier.  And, so began my need for an Updated Chore Chart.  I don’t know … I may be the only Mommy who struggles with this, but on the off chance that you are just where I am,  grab your free Chore List Printable and make it your own.  In addition, it is a fun way to teach your younger kids about money.  Trust me, they will want to make sure that you are paying them what you owe them.

Click Here for Your Printable Chore List