Recovering From the Weekend

Don't you just hate colds?  It seems like our whole house got hit with one this weekend.  Liam handled it in his usual way, ran a fever for around 24 hours, threw up a couple times, and then was pretty much fine.  The rest of us are either battling coughs, sore throats, plugged sinuses, or a combination of them.  It wasn't much of a relaxing weekend.  We did manage to get the birthday and Easter shopping done.  I can't believe, that in less than a week, my little baby is going to be 5.  Where ever does the time go?

So, today I'm playing catch up, and I'm taking full advantage of Spring Break and getting our Teen (who wishes to remain anonymous) to help out.  Both the kids have been great at pitching in.  We're just taking our time, doing a little here, stopping for a bit, doing a little there, and stopping again, lol  During my breaks I'm working on planning for the move.  We still don't know when we're moving, but I'm using this time as best as I can to get prepared.  Today I started putting together my moving kit. 

What's a moving kit you ask?  Well, for me, it's basically the essential things we'll need easy access to once we move.   Maybe Move-In Kit is a better name for it?  This is the stuff that either comes in the car with me, or are the last things loaded into the truck, so we have access to them right away.  Using all I've learned from our other moves, here's what I've put together:

Alli's Move-In Kit

Cleaning Supplies:  

• All Purpose and Disinfectant Cleaners
• Dish Soap
• Rags
• Mop and Mop Heads
• Broom and Dustpan
• Vacuum
• Rubber Gloves
• Garbage Bags (big black ones and normal kitchen ones)
• Paper Towels

These are some of the last things to be packed.  I'll put a new garbage bag in our kitchen garbage can, and fill it with all the cleaning supplies that will fit.  That way, when we get to our new place, not only do I have everything handy, we have kitchen garbage all set up and ready to go.  

Meals and Beverages:

• Paper Plates, Bowls, Cups and Plastic Cutlery
• Dish Towel or two
• Dish Cloth or two
• Easy to grab snacks
• Juice Boxes

From previous moves, I know I can easily plan on the first three meals being a little chaotic.  You just never know how much cleaning you'll have to do before you can unpack, and having the disposable dishes can really help.  The kitchen is usually the second area I tackle, and this gives me a little breathing room where the dishes, and daily clean up are concerned.  Easy to grab snacks and juice are mainly for the kids.  Usually the food stuff is easy to get to anyway, but better safe than sorry. 

Misc. Household Stuff: 

• Move Management Binder  
• Home Management Binder
• Important Documents (my accordion file)
• Paper and Pens

You never know when you might need access to certain information.  I think this pretty much covers all the bases.  And having paper and pens handy are great for making out lists and recording any information you want to remember.  Between the MMB and HMB I'll have all the files and info I need to keep the household running.  

Personal Items:                  

• Toilet Paper
• First Aid Kit, (compete with Tylenol and cold medicine, just in case)
• Hand Soap
• Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash
• Personal Hygiene Items (tooth brushes, deodorant etc...)
• 2 changes of clothes per person plus pjs.
• Hand towel, face cloth and bath towel
• Bedding
• Some toys, books, and other entertainment items for the kids

First things that get set up are the beds.  I give the frames a wipe, vacuum the mattresses and then get them made up.  Having somewhere to lay our weary heads at the end of the day is really important.  Most of these items either go in a small bin, or a few suitcases.  Having a couple changes of clothes at the ready gives me an extra day of breathing room before having to unpack the clothes.  

There you have it, my must haves for Move-In day.  I'm really excited about this move. Our last few moves, I've either been pregnant, or had a baby, then toddler to worry about.  lol  And now that our oldest is ... well... older, Travis will have two sets of hands to help!  That's going to be such a nice treat for him!  With both the boys being older this time, they'll each be able to help a little more in their own ways.  Liam is really looking forward to that, and to being able to "organize" his stuff.  :-)  He's a kid after my own heart!

Wow!  I just scrolled up and realized that this is a long post, which means I should probably end it now (and stop putting off the rest of the housework).  I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday!  

Got any tips for being move in ready that you want to share?  Did I forget something important in my list?  Just want to say hi?  Please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!