Ramblings of a Solemate

Friday, May 08, 2015

School Boxes

Every once in a while I complete an organization project and feel like I need to pat myself on the back. I'm not the most organized chick in the world which is funny because some things I can be really particular about. I still haven't quite figured myself out. Anyway, I pinned this project a few years ago and knew that it was something I had to tackle.

The plastic bins can get a little expensive so I finally just got the ones from Office Depot that were on clearance for $10. I had planned on getting them at Joann's but I was already out and didn't have my coupon. They sell the Sterilite brand which are $20 a piece but frequently put them 40% off or you can use your coupon - so check there if you aren't in a hurry. The bins I bought can be used with letter or legal size folders. I decided to go with legal size. This might be overkill but every once in a while a larger drawing comes home so it might be worth it.

If you don't want to make your own labels then click on the inspiration link and she gives you freebies. I didn't want to buy any new labels so I just used whatever size I had and printed them from Avery.com. I really love using their online design & print software - it's way more user friendly than trying to do it in Word. I just pulled a template that looked like paper and typed a title for the tab and then made a larger label for the school/teacher info. Probably not as cute but I got it done super quick.

I then added some school pictures from k-2 for this sweet girl - stuck on with washi tape and started filling the folders. One other thing that I decided to do was add some extra folders in the back for the following:

church: dedication, baptism, etc.
sports: recitals, certificates, etc.
birthdays: invitations, special cards, unique decorations, etc.
medical: our doctor gives us a sheet at every appointment with stats so we have quite a few of these, shot records, etc.
other special: first tooth, first haircut, ear piercing certificate, etc.

Feels good to get this tackled. I will keep them in a hall closet where I can get to them pretty easy. I will say that we have set expectations pretty low at our house for what we keep. We keep very few art projects unless it is a first (first time they color, write their name, draw a picture), includes hand, feet or thumbprints or if it took extra creativity like writing a story or drawing a picture. If my child glued a cotton ball on a plate then it's not going in the box. I still need to go through the various drawers and closets in the house to find the last 7 years of papers that need filed but at least as I stumble upon them then they have a place to go.

This project cost about $100 ($75 for boxes/folders/labels, $10 for washi tape, $15 for the vinyl lettering) but I would say it was worth it for something that should last many years and should limit on desk drawer clutter.

Paris in Spring - Mona Lisa & Models

Monday was my day set aside for visiting the Louvre. I didn't plan anything else since I knew it could easily take all day. I rode the train there to save time but wanted to walk back so I could hit another museum if time permitted. I bought my Paris Museum Pass from our hotel concierge so when I got to the Louvre I didn't have to wait in line (worth every penny!). Also - a little tip while I have your attention - make sure you check out the open days of your museums you plan to visit while in Paris (or any destination). A lot of museums have a day they are closed so you need to plan accordingly. Since they are open on weekends, a bunch of them are closed on either Monday or Tuesday.

I made it to the Louvre and bypassed the long line. I picked up a map and then started my journey. The OCD in me wanted to walk through each exhibit in an organized manner so that I could see everything. After 2 hours of barely scratching the surface of the museum I began feeling a little overwhelmed. Also, none of the exhibits had English translations so I couldn't tell what I was looking at. Yes, I realize I was in France but a lot of places do cater to other languages. I wish I would have known to spend the 5 euros on the Nintendo DS audio guide where you could type in the exhibit number and it would talk to you. Lesson learned. After my mini panic attack I realized I was going to need to speed things up and just see the pieces that were highlighted in my brochure.

I found this little baby bassinet so adorable. I wonder if the new royal baby has something like it.

The recently renovated Winged Victory of Samothrace.

I finally saw Mona and I was sort of like, "meh - she's cute and small." While this picture doesn't show it, the people crowding her were CRAZY. You would have thought they were getting Leonardo da Vinci's autograph from the grave. I really just wanted to see the painting and didn't care much about getting a picture but I couldn't even get to it because of all the selfie taking that was going on. At 5'2" I was getting pushed and prodded and my mini panic attack was about to turn for the worse. I decided to step away and call it a day. BTW - some people have said they weren't allowed taking pictures in the Louvre. I believe this ban has been lifted because there were photographers everywhere and the guards didn't seem to care. I don't use a flash in museums and cathedrals (reason for my grainy pics) but I don't really see a problem with snapping a pic here and there unless it's specifically prohibited.

Cupid and Psyche

Hello pretty, armless lady. Venus de Milo.

Fresh air again. When I decided I was done and wanted to leave I kept getting lost. I would follow the "Sortie" signs and then end up back where I started. I thought I'd never see daylight again.

Walking away from Musee du Louvre through Jardin des Tuileries.

l'Obelisque straight from the Luxor Temple in Egypt.

Grand Palais.

After the Louvre I had enough time to visit Cite de l'Architecture which is a museum dedicated to the architecture of the region. It is located at Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower. I loved all of the models and casts of famous buildings.

These are actually casts of sculptures throughout the region.

The upper floors were dedicated to modern and contemporary architecture.

There was even a full scale replica of an apartment from Le Corbusier's Cite' radieuse in Marseille. Apparently it was created by high school students throughout the region. I'm not dissing on my high school education but I don't remember doing anything that cool.

If I lived in Paris, I think I would spend way too much money on flowers.

I enjoyed a little cheese, bread and diet Coke in the hotel room while I waited for Jacob to take me out for sushi.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Paris in Spring - Biking with My Babe to the Eiffel Tower

Sunday was Jacob's one free day (except for a dinner meeting) so we had the whole day to play. We started the day with breakfast at the hotel and then rented some bicycles to tour the city. Jacob had been to Paris before but didn't get to see the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame because of a busy schedule so that was our goal for the day.

Sainte-Odile

So, this was how we encountered the Eiffel Tower. We had no idea that the Color Run was finishing up and we arrived just in time for their rave. It was SO loud and we had the hardest time pushing the bikes through all of the people.

A little girl in my Sunday school class told me to look out for mimes so I took this picture for her.

Just riding along Champ de Mars.

This is the only picture of the two of us from our trip and I look pregnant. Ha! The way I am standing made my belly stick out and I look like I am resting my hand on it. Oh goodness. I am definitely not pregnant nor plan to be so don't let this picture start any rumors ;).