Organizing the Little Things

I’m a classic organizer. Maybe a little overboard at times, but it makes me feel accomplished. Put together.

Lately it’s obvious Jack inherited my organizational skills. Not sure if I’m proud or worried. Maybe jealous? Almost three years old and the boy can sort the laundry better than me. My cleanliness didn’t kick in until after college.

At times, Jack’s so involved in sorting and organizing that hours pass. His determined face. Busy hands. Little feet scurrying from one task to the next. Rushing to get the job done. I try to intervene, help even, but always met with frustration.

“Noooo! Not that way, this way,” he shows me. I try again.

“That’s not right. They need to be separated!” He scolds. Anxiety building in his voice. “You go do something. I’ll do this. Okay?”

Every day it’s a new mission. With varying objects and toys. One night it was squishy frogs in plastic containers atop books. Lined one-by-one down the hallway. Another day his markers and crayons were sorted by color. Placed in piles against the kitchen wall. And every time we get the monster trucks out, they must be lined up, “waiting.” He even arranged all the rubber reptiles at Target on a trip with my mom. Spent 20 minutes perfecting the order.

I know his desire to separate and organize is credited in part to his age. But Jack takes the skill to another level. Everything must be “separated” before we play. Everything.

Am I the only one with a compulsive organizer? Surely he can’t be the only 2.8-year-old with impeccable methodical skills… right?

Jack's line of balls against the dining room wall.
The entire wall. And every ball in the house was used.

Six Splurge-Worthy Things

I treasure a good deal. Take pride in our minimal debt. And work from a budget. My dad taught me the value of saving more/spending less when I was little. We frequented Detroit Lions games every year. Would park miles – seriously miles – from the Silverdome. Some business parking lot with no cars or game day traffic. My feet swollen by the time we reached the furthest paying lot. Just so we wouldn’t have to pay the $10 parking fee.

But that’s my dad. Always pinching pennies. I never liked the idea. That was until I became a responsible adult paying bills. And witnessed him relax into retirement. With two houses and a dream come true.

So my family’s daily activities and purchases are met with my dad’s dime-saving techniques.  Even my husband drank the cool-aid. He regularly asks, “What would Jim do?” Joking, but mostly serious.

But there are some things that deserve the extra dollar. The things that sparkle. Add color to life. And most importantly out-last their cheaper counterparts. Splurge-worthy, as I like to say.

Newborn Ella and her stocking from Pottery Barn Kids.

Personalized holiday stockings. My mom still displays my stocking on her mantel to this day. That's almost 30 years of use. 

Jack's one-year photo shoot. Stela Zaharieva Photography.

Yearly family photos. As amazing as a photographer I may think I am, I'm no professional. Plus, Justin always gets my fat face. And I want to look back in ten years. Watch us all change. Grow old.

Jack during the first snowfall in 2011. Hat from Old Navy Kids.

Winter hats. Kids wear warm hats every day in the winter. That's almost six months of cold in Michigan. More than 180 days. Thinking the $15 beanie is worth it, right?

Jack and Ella's Easter basket covers from Pottery Barn Kids.

Personalized Easter basket covers. Same reason as the holiday stockings. You can't put a price on items that make memories for a lifetime. I just purchased cheaper baskets from Michael's Craft Store, then added the more expensive liners. Still a little savings. 

Jack enjoying sparklers during the Fourth of July, 2011 cabin trip.

Family vacations. Again, you can't price memories.

Ella is in Pamper Swaddlers. The fancy newborn diapers. 

Name-brand diapers. We've tried numerous store-brand diapers. My kids keep gushing out. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I've heard mom's swear by Target brand. Although, once you've had the "I peed" line on the newborn diapers, it's hard to go back. 

Office with a View

I'm not sure how to identify myself. Stay-at-home mom? No, I work part-time. Out-of-home working mom? Nope. I work from my couch regularly. My conclusion: Part-time-working-in-the-office-or-home-while-watching-baby Mom.

Lately, Wednesdays are my favorite working days. Quite the view. Although the babbling is quite the happy distraction.