Color Coded Calendars, Van Halen and Baseball

I know I always talk about how life is so busy and yada, yada, yada. But you guys it is SO BUSY. Four kids going in all different directions and a very unorganized mother is a pretty crazy way of life.  It's so crazy that I might have been crying in the corner of a Walgreen's on Friday night after work before the elementary school carnival. Yup. It was ridiculous. Me crying because I didn't know how to do it all and be everywhere and everything to everybody and waaaa.

I felt overwhelmed and like I was going in all different directions at crazy speeds. After crying a little I felt better, but I also knew I needed a plan....a plan to, gulp, get more organized. I mean at least for the next few weeks when ALL THE THINGS/EVENTS/GAMES are happening.

Like this past weekend, the carnival, baseball tournaments, little league opener, a baseball game, a softball game, friends' houses and Tim was out of town. Nuts!  I relied on friends to take some of my kids places and some of my kids had to miss a few things (like team pictures). 

Even though I was a little bit of a mess, Wade didn't let that interfere in his game prep. He's mentally tough. He's a baller and ready to play (but he also just has a total blast!).

Oh my gosh! Lucy is playing softball for the very first time ever and she looks so happy.

Peyton got his feet analyzed and we bought him new running shoes for track. Because he's running! So grateful that he is able to compete and walk and run and be happy after such a horrible leg break and surgery and therapy and ahhhhhh.

They are happy kiddos, but don't forget I was crying in the corner of Walgreen's muttering to myself that "I'm not so bad, really I'm not"...something has to change.  So in an attempt to get my shit together I turned to what else? Pinterest.  

I started looking up calendars and family organization and got bored and looked up fun quotes and pictures of celebrities. But then I focused on getting better at managing our family's time and found some cute chalk board options. Today's Pinterest Poser Challenge* is getting my shit together and making a mother f-ing chalk board wall calendar. Woot! Woot!

*In an attempt at not being a Pinterest Poser,** every week-ish I detail a new project/idea/recipe inspired by Pinterest.
**My definition of a Pinterest Poser is someone who is all pins and no substance.


There were lots of cute options (like this one and this one). But I went with a simple design that's straight up calendar. I assigned each kid a different color chalk and I filled in what their activities are for the week. Sure I had to ask Peyton to bring me a calendar as a reference and I might have said "how many days across?" 

I'm usually not such a fan of planning and counting days and filling in and filling up all the hours in a day. I'm more of a what do we want to do today? Anything we want. But that's not how life with four busy kids and jobs and shows and all the good stuff works right now.

Here's the before:

And here's the after:

I am proud to say that one day in, and we are kicking ass. I managed to remember to reschedule Lucy's piano lesson earlier and we all made it to her softball game. It's kind of a miracle.  Maybe all you people were right and there is something to this calendar thing. Maybe I'm going to be organized and totally together now. And maybe not. 

I've decided the calendar is coming down as soon as school is out. I want my days full of nothing but possibility and adventure this summer. 

This quote is more my summer speed.
I found it on Pinterest (here) during my calendar search.

But for now the color-coded chalk works (bonus is we have so many kids and so much to do, it looks very rainbow-y and I love that).

And I tried to find a way to make my boring but happy and cheerful looking calendar a little cooler by putting a quote from a Van Halen song on the top:

"Right now is your tomorrow...Catch a magic moment...Right here and now."

Remember that song?! It's perfect, right?!? Well, I think so.
Here's the song just in case you forgot:


(Click here to watch the video.)

Have you made anything inspired by Pinterest lately? Got any favorite holiday crafts? Let me know in the comments or over on my Facebook page.

Come follow me on Pinterest 

(click here).

Here are some of the Pinterest projects I've done/made/attempted:

DIY Snowman Ornaments- click here

Milk Carton Halloween Luminaries- click here
Fall DIY (Painted Acorns)- click here

Kale Smoothie- click here

Power Tools- click here

Painting Sticks- click here

Homemade Pesto- click here

DIY Map Craft- click here

Homemade Chalk Paint- click here

A Flower Crown- click here

The Rainbow Challenge- click here

DIY Trundle Bed- Click here

DIY Artemis Costume- click here

Taking Pictures of Your Kids- click here

Gluten Free Pretzels- click here

Cinnamon Sugar Doughballs- click here

Painted Lockers- click here

Melted Beads- DIY Suncatcher- click here

Tissue Paper Pom Pom Garland-- click here

A Delightfully Simple Birthday Party--click here
Make An Awesome Omelet--click here
Outdoor Lights Inspired by the show Parenthood- click here
Herb Garden with Chalkboard Pots- click here
Backyard Graffiti Art with kids- click here

Happiness Notecards- click here

Gluten Free Rainbow Cake- click here

Fruit Roll-Up Fortune Cookies- click here

Make Your Own Magnets- click here

DIY Painted Clay Necklace- click here

Dixie Cup Lights- click here

DIY Ornaments-click here

Gluten Free Clay- click here

Make Your Own Stamps- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here

Gluten Free Pop Tarts- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here

Summer Wish List Chalkboard-click here

Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Sandwiches-click here

Painted Mason Jar Vases-click here

Cinco de Mayo Paper Flowers- click here

Earth Day Cupcakes- Click here
Nail Art-click here

Homemade Photo Booth Fun- click here

Fake Bangs- click here

DIY Subway Art- click here

Furniture Painting and Bench/Chest Makeover- click here

Thanksgiving-y Project/Gratitude/Holiday Countdown- click here
The Smoothie-click here

The Free Printable Turned Artwork in a Boring Hallway- click here

The chalk board-click here
Seven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click here

The Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here