Tips For Getting To School On Time

Getting my four melons out the door isn't always an easy task, so I came up with a schedule that seems to work well for us. It helps get us to school on time, each and every day.

The Night Before:

-Make the lunch(es) (I do this after dinner. If I don't have room for their lunchbox in my fridge, I put the non-perishable foods into their lunchbox and put only the sandwich into the fridge)

-Backpacks, Packed and Ready To Go (homework, permission slips, binder, etc.)

-Outfit and Shoes Laid Out

-Bath or Shower (except for my oldest that is 11, he takes his shower in the morning)


The Morning Of:

-Wake Them Up (no later than 45 minutes before we have to leave)

-Potty Time (I make sure they go right away, that way they don't have to go right as we're leaving)

-Get Dressed

-Eat Breakfast

-Brush Teeth

-5 to 10 Minutes Before Leaving, Put Lunch Into Backpack

I hope this helps you get your melon to school on time!

Camping With Your Little Melons

Camping with children doesn't have to be hectic or undoable. All of our children have been camping since they were infants and I'm talking about dispersed, in a tent, sleeping bag type of camping. We always try to pick a place that is near a stream or lake so that if we need extra water then it's available but mainly so our melons can splish, splash, and have a load of fun! I've come up with a list of needed items that I pack for our melons, each time we go on a camping adventure.

Camping Essentials:

-Water (lots of it, it's needed for drinking, cooking, and cleaning)

-Water Bottles (good to bring when hiking and exploring the woods)

-Snacks (for in-between meals and while going on a hike or exploring the woods)

-Baby Wipes (for quick clean ups of dirty faces, hands, and feet)

-Diapers (I would bring double of what you normally change in a day)

-Hand Sanitizer (for quick germ killing)

-Sunscreen (SPF 30+)

-DEET-free Bug Repellent (gotta help keep those bugs off of our melons)

-First Aid Kit (always have it on hand when at the campsite or when hiking)

-Camp Chair (for children old enough to sit in it)

-Sleeping Bag (one meant for camping in cooler weather)

-Extra Blankets (one for sitting on the ground for playtime and one for over their sleeping bag if it's cooler out)

-Tennis Shoes (keeps those feet safe and sound, don't want any splinters)

-Flip Flops/Sandals (great for putting on quickly for those night time potty outings)

-Warm Pajamas (plus an extra pair)

-Portable High Chair (this makes feeding an infant that is on solids much easier for you)

-Extra Outfits (2-3 extras, including undies and socks)

-Jacket and/or Hoodie (always good to have if it rains or when cooler at night)

-Hat and Gloves (depending on the time of year)

-Child Backpack Carrier (makes it easy to hike with an infant or young toddler)

-Backpack (makes it easy to carry water bottles, snacks, first aid kit, etc.)

-Whistles (For ages 2 and up. Our melons wear theirs so that they can blow it, if lost or in danger)

-Glow Sticks (Kids love them and I can see our melons at night when it's pitch black)

Now, get outdoors and go have a wonderful time camping with your cute melons!