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  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
Home ยป Blog ยป Thinking, Playing, Reading

Thinking, Playing, Reading

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Thinking Playing Reading

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Thinking:

About how nice it is to have a little break between sports. I was dead set on eating together as a family this soccer/cross country season and I put it together almost every night, even if it meant eating at 7:30 pm.  I would always have big fat bagels for the kids when they got home so they could full up and last till later.  It feels like coming up for air somewhat, this little break.

Playing:

Over the years I have started Christmas planning and shopping at different times due to the circumstances in my life (babies/toddlers).  This year I am on the ball and destined to be almost all finished by Advent-a nice non-rushing, no crowds, homebound Advent season is what my goal is. This saves me so much time-no traffic, no lines, no running out when I should be home.

This last week I did a massive closet clean out with the boys-moving things along in hand me downs from boy to boy and assessing needs for practical gifts. I also went through all the winter bins, so everyone could claim their coats, boots, snow pants, etc.  I took four big bags of items to charity!  It feels good to start fresh, knowing needs (very few!) so I can shop smart.  

I have my little list going.

I have a few updates for 2016 to work on (this scooter and this game and this cute little matching game for Janey that I don’t mind playing to start) but our big time favorites lists is here.

Our Favorites

Reading: 

I am working at putting together a post of a couple good Thanksgiving books, but we have been all over the autumn nature books.  

This book is beautiful:

Whose Nest? by Victoria Cochrane

We had a giant squirrel nest come down in our backyard which is perfect timing to talk about nests-as the squirrels are scrambling to rebuild I am sure.

Here’s a few more favorite fall books:

The Scarecrow’s Dance

Miss Suzy

Those Darn Squirrels

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November 4, 2016 ยท 13 Comments

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  1. Karen says

    November 4, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    I was checking out your favorite toys list just this morning. I'm starting my shopping early and with four grandkids to buy for, all the choices are overwhelming. I just love your list, it reminds me of the things that my kids enjoyed the most. Heck, the toys I loved the most. I've already placed an Amazon order. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  2. Rachael says

    November 4, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    We must be on the same page! Just posted this morning about my four favorite fall books. http://theirchronicles.blogspot.com/2016/11/fall-books.html

    Reply
  3. Dessie says

    November 5, 2016 at 10:20 am

    I always love your lists! I will say you should look into spot it jr. there are a few different versions of spot it out there. The pictures on the original are the least appealing (in my opinion)

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    November 6, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    I am starting my shopping for Christmas too! Granted I only have 2 kids to really buy for at home, but it feels good to start, and yes, I want a peaceful Advent too. I remember my Mum always kept a little list in her purse growing up…don't let your kids find it!! Hope Janey is feeling back to normal after the surgery.

    Reply
  5. Unknown says

    November 6, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    We have at least 6 of the Razor scooters you linked to. A huge hit around here with kids, big and small. The two year old has taken to riding it, with his dad showing him how, haha. They are a great toy!

    Reply
  6. Hardlyagoddess says

    November 8, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    I got "those Darn Squirrels after your last post about he books that you were loving- we boys are crazy for this book! I have to maybe get the others- I think they are a series- for stocking stuffer type gifts.

    Reply
  7. Rosesmama says

    November 9, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    So you recommend Rubik's Race? Some of the reviews are mixed and I wasn't sure….. I do value your opinion and if you say it's good, then it's going in my amazon bag.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 10, 2016 at 10:48 pm

      Yes, my kids love it!

      Reply
  8. Susan says

    November 10, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    I love to hear that you are cleaning out closets! I still remember following your forty bags for forty days during Lent. Do you still (need to) do that or have to you found that you bring less into the home so the need to purge is not there anymore? Sorry for the run-on sentence! LOL!! I love purging, but we (as a family) need to work on the "don't bring it into the home" part!!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 10, 2016 at 10:45 pm

      Yes, it gives you an awareness of how much is wasted and I am much more careful about my purchases. Of course I still give the kids gifts, and hand-me-down purges are necessary, and general clean outs, but there is so much motivation that first time through.

      Reply
  9. Unknown says

    November 10, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    I always love your children's book suggestions. Miss Suzy is one of our favorites too! I hope you add more ideas to your gift and book suggestions for children before the holidays!

    Reply
  10. Unknown says

    November 15, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    I am looking on ebay for those critter sets, soooo cute!!! I have a 3 year old and 6 year old girl that will love that and we can add to it over the years, I also ordered my 6 year old an All American GIRL doll. Will be getting her books and a lego set and will be done, the hardest is gonna be my 1 year old boy and 12 year old boy, I got him a huge tote of legos so he will be busy with that, plus some other items, with 5 kids at home *7* total, I am finally realizing to not bring so much junk into the house, I purge every month from clothes to household items, even just a small bag helps. My 16 year old is a little easier, I order her a beautiful bible, got her some makeup samples to start her out, and gift cards for clothes.

    Reply
  11. Ruth says

    November 19, 2016 at 1:46 am

    I bought Spot It several years ago, and finally got my husband to play it with me. His eyes started bothering him partway through the game, because of the changing sizes of the images you are trying to match. Turns out, if you don't have stereoscopic vision, your eyes have a much harder time zooming in and out on the size changes of the images!

    Reply

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Welcome!

Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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