What's in the Bag? {#31days}

Note: Yes, I talk about Skip Hop and their amazing diaper bag. But, no, they have nothing to do with that. I just love their products and wanted to share. 

Remember that Sunday prepping I was talking about? Well, there is one extra item that I double check every night. I felt needed a post all on it's own: The Bag. 

I love my bag. It goes by many names: the baby bag, the diaper bag, the why's-this-damn-thing-so-heavy-bag, and, of course, the Mary Poppins Bag. But, I do. I love it. So much in fact that this is my SECOND version of this bag. Skip Hop makes great bags.

source

I found my first one at Babies R Us and my second one (pictured) was found on clearance at Target last year. It is perfect for wearing messenger style or hanging on the stroller (with either just the main strap or with the special stroller clips). This is key because freed hands are good. But the inside is what really counts. I'm all about pockets and being organized (shocker, right?).

So, here's a tour of my bag:

Outside mesh pocket: A water bottle for either myself or the boys if they are all of a sudden dying of thirst...ahem...

Little pocket on opposite side: keys

Front double pockets: Phone and wallet in one, list/mail/errand in the other OR these pockets will hold the bigger boys water bottles if we are at the zoo/park/etc

Shallow hidden zipper pocket: Another place where my keys are found, my Rosary, chapstick

Deeper hidden zipper pocket: Extra binky/binky strap, a few small baby toys, Austin's sunglasses and a bib

Inside double pockets: Diapers/Wipes in one (I usually keep only 2 diapers in here - more are kept in the car), and a small zippered bag in the other. This contains baby food pouch, baby spoon, diaper cream, bandaids extra chapstick, hand sanitizer, extra hair ties, and emergency snacks.

Main area: I have this nifty zippered pouch that holds snacks. I also keep a sippy cup of water in this area for Austin.

Depending on the season, I will either pack a beanie and a cozy blanket (I love the Cozy Swaddles by Aden + Anais, by the way. It is heavier than their normal ones but still lightweight) for Austin for the fall/winter or sun hat.

On the back of the bag is a larger open pocket, too. I use this for any papers we get while we are out. Like library calendars, bigger mail items...it is the perfect side for a file folder. I used to have a file folder in there actually when running back and forth to school. Now, I just grab one when I need something from the doc's office and the like.

This bag helps make my life easy, I think. How about you? Do you have a favorite bag? Do you have that running checklist of all these items you need? Here's a great checklist that I have used for a while - has everything that you need for a baby AND a toddler. Add/subtract the things you need/don't use and voile! You've got it, mama! Get packing now. Monday's coming.

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How We Do It: Sunday Prepping {#31days}

You learned yesterday that Saturday is our grocery day. So, can you guess what Sunday is for?

Getting ready for another week. 

I got the rest of our meals (about 10 more ) done and in the freezer this morning - whew! The rest can be made that day I need it. So, yay! I took a mini break with with boys and watched the rest of The Great Pumpkin with them before getting lunch going.

After lunch we did some major playing (We even threw in some impromptu Christmas list making... Apparently more dragons and knights are needed as "Austin doesn't have an army," says Andrew). Boys... They crack me up with their imaginations. The cannon balls were confiscated a few months back, so they currently are out of luck. But no worries... People can be blasted from cannons instead.

I got to be the Guard. Why? Because he has nice clothes. And, mommies wear nice clothes. Ok. I'm wearing my jeans that have holes today, but ok. I will play along. Awesome times.

Anyway, back to the Sunday prepping...

After I get all the dinners made/prepped for the week, I move along to lunches. If I know we are going to be out all day, I have the lunches made (or planned for that day) and packed. So I can just grab the cooler and go.

Of course, I have my planner out letting me know what exactly is going on for the week. I typically will have the school lessons planned and everything printed out, if needed. I also have either already picked up the books from the library or have a list of books to grab while there for story time. Also, any errands that need to be done, I make sure to plan those for the the days we are out and about.

Once everything has been planned out for the week (as best as possible anyway), we fill in the blanks with play dates, park adventures, or throw in an afternoon of movies (the house isn't going to clean itself, unfortunately). It really just depends on what all we have going on.

And, that's how I plan for the upcoming week. It's a lot of work, but at least the stress doesn't come from "what on Earth are we doing today?!" Just the typical stress of a house filled with boys. Most of it is good, though.

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