On My Master List

Now that the One Room Challenge is over and my office is all mine and ready to be worked in, all those little tidbits and to-do’s that have been swimming around in my brain for the last month can finally be tended to.  Everything was on the back burner while that room was being finished and my brain felt like it was going to explode with the mental list that was piling up.  Whenever I feel that happening, I know it’s time to pull out my MASTER LIST and get it updated.  I always feel so much better after a good brain dump!  It’s like all those thoughts that were brewing in my head are captured so I don’t have to worry about losing them.

It feels like we have a lot going on this week, so I took it a step further, and pulled out one of my “project to do list” sheets and mapped out my week.  It’s a busy one with a school field trip tomorrow, T-ball All Stars practice/game, neighborhood bunco at my house and a baby shower here on Sunday. Talk about everything piling on at once.  So much for ‘just one thing’ this week!


Here’s a peek at what’s on my Master List lately:

HOME PROJECTS

We have started several home decor projects in our home and now I need to buckle down and complete some of them!
Son’s Room – Our son moved into the guest room to make room for the nursery and so his room is only partially complete.  Many of you have been asking me about his room and want to see it, so I’ll probably start on this next. And it’s only fair since his sister’s room is all done.  He’s got a nice dresser, bookshelf, desk and bed, but I need to make a decision on what we’re doing with the walls, and the rest of the decor. 
Playroom/Media Room – A while back, we decided to transition the playroom into a playroom/media room.  We got a start on it, but just barely, so it’s also an uncomplete project that needs attention.  
Nursery Bathroom – The nursery bathroom is undergoing a few minor decor updates, but the light fixture isn’t quite working so, that’s been on hold while I figure out a solution.

Office Organization – Now that my office space is finished, I need to organize the adjoining closet and make it super functional. 

BABY SHOWER

After over a decade together, my middle brother and his wife are expecting their first baby, a boy! in August. This is such a sweet, sweet time especially because we lost my Dad last year.  Having two new babies in the family will bring so much joy into our lives.  
As for the shower, luckily, I had my own wonderful baby shower not too long ago to draw inspiration from!  I’ll be hosting Jessica’s woodland themed baby shower on Sunday and it’s coming together with help, starting with these precious invites. 

SUMMER

Holy crap! I just looked up and realized that school ends in less than two weeks! What am I going to do with two kids at home?! Jordan still needs lots of attention and sleep and if I’m not actively intervening, James would be on his iPad or video games all day.  We’ll have to figure out how to meld their two worlds without me going crazy.  And my Mom may not be available this summer 🙁  so this will be a new experience for me. Tips welcome! Or come help!

When I asked James what camps he’d be interested in going to this summer he said, “Camp Stay Home.”  Ha! He did say he wanted to learn to be an actor, so I’m looking into acting camps, and also he likes the basketball coach at our gym that offers camps, so I’ll see what they have available there too.

I may have to rethink my blogging schedule, but will just play it by ear and see how it goes.  I just can’t believe the school year is almost over.  We have kindergarten graduation next week and I know I’m gonna be a mess.  My first little baby is getting to be such a big kid! #passthetissues!

VACATION

Before I can commit my son to any camps this summer, I’ve got to nail down my husband to a few days for a family vacation.  He’s finally convinced me to do a road trip, so we’re thinking about loading up the car and kids and driving to Colorado.  Are we crazy?!  I usually lose my mind after 3 hours in a car, but he’s always wanted to do one because he grew up on family road trips, so I figure I owe it to him to at least try it once.

When I was a teenager, our family did a summer road trip from Ohio to Texas.  Us kids complained the whole way, as Chaz and I sat all sweaty and smushed together in the backseat of our small Ford Escort with Austin who was still in a car seat!  But, we’ll never forget that trip and now we look back on it as a fond memory.

And, if I’m talking myself into the positives of a road trip, maybe it will be better because that way we can have everything with us as opposed to trying to pack and check all the stuff you need with a kid and a baby.  And we can stop to breastfeed as necessary.  But, getting my husband committed to a specific time off work is like trying to lasso a buckwild bull.  No easy task!

FATHER’S DAY

But, I must give him props for doing double duty with taking care of James while I tend to Jordan as well as splitting grocery, cooking and cleaning duties at home.  He did me so good on Mother’s Day too with a necklace with two “J” initials, so I don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute come Father’s Day.  For the guy that’s so hard to buy for, I’ve been looking at watches because I know I can never go wrong there.  All of these from Nordstrom are contenders, but I had to show several just in case he happens to stop by here.  #2 is like the mate to my own watch that I wear all the time.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 

HAIR TUTORIAL 
Last but not least, I’m finally working on a hair curling tutorial for loose waves like I usually wear (see below) for you! Many of you have asked for that and I’ve been wanting to bring it to you for a long time, but just now got my routine photographed.  I’m hoping to have the post up by Thursday, but if not, I’ll post it on Friday.  And I promise, it’s not that hard! 


UPDATE: see the hair curling tutorial HERE.

romper | heels (20% off) | similar necklace
tank (XSP) | cardigan (XS) jeans (26) | sunglasses  | similar necklace (50% off)

tank | ring 


Also, if you missed it, check out my contributor post for I Heart Organizing: Sanity Saving Home Stations.

What’s on your Master List lately?
__________________
keep in touch! 
affiliate links used in collaboration with Nordstrom

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

21 Comments

  1. Isn't this a crazy busy time of year? I've got several home (unfinished) projects on my master list, as well and lots of little "if I have time" things like getting my nails and hair done before my kids finish school next Friday. In my experience, road trips with kids can be doable and fun–just lower any picturesque expectations and embrace the chaos 🙂

    1. I know, my nails are a mess right now. I peeled off my shellac. :/ Good advice about lowering expectations. I won't keep in mind a 'pinterest worthy' vacation and maybe we'll be okay!

  2. I am a highly organized wife, mother of two. I have my meal menus, shopping list, planner and a weekly calendar on the fridge. However,..it was upsetting that there were things that still fell through the cracks! I started your Master List idea a few weeks back and it was a life changer! I am doing the dump/download once a week, updating and printing. I added "calendar items" where I could jot down quick things…like changes in schedule. I put it in a clipboard and keep it in my office. I got rig of the million lists I kept and would misplace! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    1. I love planners too! Click the link in the post on "Project To Do List" to go to the Etsy shop called She Plans I got these from. They are digital download files and so helpful!

  3. I have 4 children and though they are almost all teenagers now, when they were little I hired a "mom's helper" to come play occasionally even though I was home. A middle school boy might be good entertainment for James bc once they get to high school they aren't as likely to want to play. That way he can have a "stay home" camp with fun entertainment for a few hours a week or however often you like:)

    1. Elizabeth! I could hug you right now! You are the first person to mention this, but then others did too. Now my wheels are turning wondering if that might be a good option for us. When he has a friend his age over, I'm just responsible for more, so this sounds like a good idea!

  4. Good luck with the summer planning! It is always hard and such a relief when you figure it out. My kids all loved "Camp Invention" which is located all over the country. If you google it you may be able to find one near you. From what I remember, it was a one week program held at a local elementary school.

    1. Thanks Susan, I've never heard of that but I know he would like it because those are the kind of camps he liked last year- Lego Engineering and Construct It, Build It. He says he doesn't like camps where you just "play all day."

  5. I was also going to suggest a "mommy's helper". We've got 2 teenagers on our street that come over whenever I need a break, and they are a godsend over the summer! My 6 year old is going to Houston this summer by himself (scary!) to visit my parents. I was thinking about putting him in a camp but don't know where to start looking. If you have a camp list that you'd be willing to share I would be so appreciative!

  6. My oldest was five when we had our youngest. That was a tough summer because my oldest was used to all of my attention. A few things saved me that summer…I joined a gym that offered free childcare. I could work out, then shower and get ready in peace…SO WORTH IT! I hired a college student (she was in nursing school) one afternoon a week. I used that afternoon for any appointments such as the dentist, hair or just grocery shopping alone. We did a few summer camps too…but I was cateful not to overschedule because running back and forth with a newborn is no fun!!

    1. I was thinking the same thing about camps- even if he does want to go, it's not easy being in the car with a newborn for a long time. She always ends up crying, even in the school pick up line! I'm definitely going to try the gym thing -and showering there is such a good idea! Thank you!

    2. I second everything here – mom's helper, gym with childcare and showers, and less scheduled camps. It's hard to "have" to go somewhere, but I do feel better if I get out of the house. Do you have any indoor playgyms? We have a couple, and I can take my eyes off of the big boys while they play safely inside. Ours have free Wifi and a place to enjoy snacks. One also has a designated baby area, which will be nice for Jordan in a couple months. And Chick Fil A is a lifesaver for me. Again, a safe place to play and Wifi for me.

    3. That's right we also did a few indoor play gyms on rainy days…also forgot to say pack flip flops for the gym shower! The locker room is clean at my gym but I'm a germophobe!

  7. Megan, I'm right there with you on the road trip! We have 3 kids – 7, 5, and 3 and we're packing up at the end of June and making the 15+ hour drive from Columbia, SC to Milwaukee, WI (my hometown!) I'm super lucky in that my husband is a Sheriff's deputy so he is used to driving 12+ hours without a break so he can handle most of the driving while I referee. We're planning on doing early showers, getting the kids dressed in their pajamas and slippers, eating dinner then hitting the road so they'll hopefully knock out for most of the drive. We also got each kid a a new backpack that we're going to give them the day we leave that I've slowly been stocking with fun road trip supplies. Some write-on books and activity cards from Usborne books, a new coloring book and a fresh box of crayons, and some mini Lego kits are in there now. We'll make sure to add the Leap Pads that Santa brought them for Christmas this year (along with the headphones he brought to ensure Daddy & Sarah's sanity), and we also got a portable DVD player for the car for fairly cheap at Sam's Club. All that plus a lunchbox full of snacks will hopefully get us through a few hours on the road!!!

    1. Sounds like y'all are super prepared! I bet it will be a trip your kids won't forget. Hopefully getting them sleeping will eliminate some of that, "are we there yet?!" 🙂

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