Dear FlyLady,

I have been FLYing on and off for about 5 years, since before my first son was born. Now I have two sons, one who is almost 4 and the other who is just 10 weeks old. I am blessed to have a job where I’m able to work from home most of the week but there are two days a week when I go into the office–and that means two days a week I need to pack for three different people to go to three different places (I go to work, my oldest goes to preschool, and my baby goes to daycare). I bow down to those mamas (and dads!) who do this every day, you’re amazing!

The BBR is a major sanity saver! I make sure I have lunches packed for me and my preschooler, I make sure I have milk pumped for the baby, I get the diaper bag re-stocked and set it by the door with my purse, sunglasses, and car keys, I check the weather so I can set out my clothes and the baby’s clothes (in Colorado you just never know), and of course I check my calendar to make sure I don’t miss something important amid the general daily shenanigans. No more running around my house all morning like a crazy person looking for things or forgetting things! Even on the days we’re all home, it makes such a positive difference to have a smooth morning.

But the best part is that my oldest has his own BBR that I help him with. He is a very intense little guy and takes everything in to process–so he does EVERYthing a little bit slow. Every night I tell him if he needs to dress the next day for warms or cold weather and let him pick out whatever he wants to wear. Then he takes his outfit and puts it on a low shelf in the bathroom so when we’re all getting ready for the day he isn’t lost in his room for 30 minutes deciding on what he wants to wear. In fact now he gets ready in the morning faster than I do and helps me get his brother ready! I’m so proud of him and I know starting routines not only helps him focus and feel accomplished at a young age, it also sets him up for success as he gets older.

Thank you for all you do–I’m a perfectionist with two small boys and one messy house but I’m working on the baby steps (again) to get some order.

Flybaby in Colorado

 

The Calendar Habit

Dear FlyLady,

I have a calendar, I use my calendar, I check my calendar, oh well, I forgot to check it yesterday and ended up taking my dog to the vet for his check-up, rabies and distemper shots 2-1/2 hours EARLY!! See, I “thought” I remembered what time the appointment was so like most SHEs, I didn’t check the calendar. I just drove the 18 miles to the vet and apologized to them for being a few moments late. Imagine my surprise when the receptionist looked at me and said, “Leah, you’re not late, your appointment isn’t until 3:20PM”. It was 12:45PM. I looked at my dog, who looked at me, and we went back to the car and back home. At 2:45PM I put the dog, albeit a confused dog at this point, back into the car and we drove back to the vet. You’ll be glad to know that Rookie is in perfect health. I, however, am still in need of FlyLady on a daily basis to keep me in good order!

I thought you’d get a chuckle out of Rookie’s double trip to the vet. Yes, I have a calendar. Yes, I use my calendar. Yes, I’ll be checking it every day from now on!

Tons of love,
FlyBaby L