With the birth of baby #4 only weeks away and in the heat of the summer, I am finding it harder to get excited about organizing. The weather is just so beautiful!

But as I am typing this, I am realizing that with a baby only weeks away, now is the time we NEED to get geared about organizing again so I don’t get buried alive when he comes! I have also been seriously considering homeschooling my kids (because, you know, why not?!?!) and while looking investigating it a little further came across this great post on the popular blog “Balancing Everything”(formerly Very Mom).



Her idea for divvying out chores and letting your kids have choices was great and appealed to the side of me that is trying to not be so controlling! Not only that, but it is SO chic and adorable!!! I loved her blog entry and while it does provide details on what she did, there are no explicit instructions on how it was done. It looked like a great project though and had the benefit of including/teaching your kids to work - which you all know I am a huge fan of! I can’t wait to get busy on my own chore tickets. - Maja

**Photo Credit : Balancing Everything.com.

Today I’m dishing about a product line that gives us back our sanity, and works efficiently to help us get organized. It’s all about LobotoMe paper planners that are sure to get us all on track and scheduled!

There’s something really satisfying and powerful about making lists, I’ve always been a real list maker and love to have all my duties laid out in front of my eyes. When I take that extra step to write it down, I see greater results in the amount of things that I can accomplish. However, I’m not perfect and I definitely need a little help getting everything prioritized, and then staying on track. I was sent the organizeMe Weekly Planner, and got right to work filling in my weeks activities. This planner doesn’t disappoint, in fact they have really covered the bases with spots for my entire week full of appointments. For the Mom who doesn’t exactly put herself as a priority, the Weekly organizeMe planner offers reminders to drink your water, take vitamins, and hit the gym (you can add in - Get A Massage, Pedicure and New Outfit if you like, that’s what I did). It’s like having an assistant that really cares about you right there in your own writing.

I loved that this pad included 60 pages on white recycled paper (1 for each week) to take along with you, just tear off your week’s schedule and bring it along in your purse wherever you go. It’s all there at a glance. And since LobotoMe includes some additional pages, you can definitely help out another stressed out Mommy in need by giving her a LobotoMe, or at least a weekly page to make her feel that way.

The LobotoMe website is rich in humor and offers “goods to keep me sane”. Everything from a Mantra Poster for your wall, to PackMe travel pads for your next trip, Feed Me meal planning pad, Save ME to do list pad, even a HoneyDo note pad!By shopping LobotoMe products you are buying eco-friendly organization gear. And LobotoMe even offers a Brain Fog Blog with a great dose of “sanity saving tips…to save you from a trip to the looney bin”. So go check out the website today and get your very own LobotoMe! - Daria

All week we have been talking about kids rooms, but for this Fun Friday it is back to mom time! I want everyone to let their hair down and go on a fabulous date! I don’t care who it is with (spouse, friend, by yourself or with your mom) but put as much effort into the night as you can and plan for something BIG!!

This is a great opportunity to show the person in your life that you really care (even if it is just for you) and make it a night to remember. Get creative, go online for ideas if you need a little help.You can try to make it a theme night, splurge and go to the best restaurant in town, or go to a book reading at your local library if that is something you really love. The point is to really put the effort in and make it a night that will be a great memory for a long time to come. Plan ahead, a week or two from now so you have plenty of time to work out the details and to book a babysitter!

Now, as a point of interest: what is the best date you have been on? It will be great to hear some of your plans and will give others inspiration as well. I love that this is just a random weekend and not tied to any special dates. It makes it that much more exciting and surprising. Have fun showing who you love why you love them!!!

Ah yes, the Long Weekend - such a glorious time. Our next one is well over 6 weeks away and believe it or not, now is the time to think about it! What do YOU want to do?

So often around our house we spend our first long weekend of the summer doing some sort of project around the house, NO MORE! I want to encourage all of our readers to put the organizing, house renos, garden planting and garage cleaning off for this weekend and plan something fun to do with your family. Does this mean a camping trip? A day at the beach? A trip to the bowling alley? A time to visit your family and friends?

I recommend finding some local venue to explore. Discover a new place close to your home that you have always wanted to see - but have never taken the time to venture out to. You’ll save on gas, and actually do what you want.

On this Fun Friday assignment - research some venue ideas and find your top 3 options to present to your family. Once you decide together where you want to go and what you want to do, think about as many details of the day as you can and plan for it. It will be a fun diversion and something to really look forward to in the coming weeks once you have all the plans in place. What a great way to start your summer! In our comments, feel free to leave a note on what you think you may do! I can’t wait to hear of all your exciting plans!!

While this may not be up everybody’s alley, I always look forward to spring & getting a garden in! My husband grew up in a house where his mom made him help plant their garden and consequently, he knows what he is doing. My experience in a garden is eating fresh peas… and that is ALWAYS fun! Unfortunately for me this year, Paul is right in the middle of preparing for some large exams and so if I want a garden, it is up to me!

Accepting the challenge, I have decided to roll up my sleeves and dig in. So the task for this Friday is to think about the potential for a garden where you live. We all know there is nothing better than fresh veggies, so even if your garden is a planter on the balcony with tomatoes - plan for it!! Today is the day to think about why you might like a garden, what you LOVE to eat, how much you want of it… For those who are more experienced - you can try to plan growing durations and various shade plants… all too overwhelming for me this year… but maybe next year! I can’t wait to plan my garden and know that this year, it will all be the fruits (ok - veggies only in this Northern climate) of my labour! I will definitely be enlisting the help of my soon to be six year old as well. Hopefully, by the time he is an adult, he will be more garden savvy than his mom! Happy planning!