Winter Woes and Summer Sensations

Today I found myself wishing winter would be over soon. I normally LOVE winter time and how nice it is to snuggle up.. Maybe as I get older, my body doesn't like the cooler temps so much these days. *sniffle* I'M getting old AND turning into my Mum! (that's a whole separate post of it's own!)

I have developed a negative view of winter this year because ALL of my children have been sick with not one, not two, but SEVERAL head colds and coughs.. And when I say children, that also includes husband dear!! LOL! He has also had a bout of MANFLU!! (again- another post topic on it's own!!)

I havE actually found myself longing for warmer weather so I can take the kids to the beach- go swimming and build sandcastles! This is a MAJOR turn around in thinking for me- normally I would cringe at the thought of packing up the tribe and heading for the sand and surf.. Sand being one of the major turn offs really! (how it can be difficult to get it off the body until you get in the car and it appears EVERYWHERE!

I also used to get overwhelmed by the preparation it needed for said excursions.. A bajillion towels, change of clothes, shoes, hats, sunscreen etc. It now seems a little less overwhelming now that I have a litle SYSTEM in place.. Hehehe

Last year's swimming season at school saw the need for two swim bags to be at the ready.. we bought a drawstring type gym bag made out of that taslon type material that is quasi waterproof and allows wet gear to breath a little.. (I still send an extra plastic bag for the sopping wet togs to go into..)

So.. From many frustrated and frazzled mornings searching for all the pieces required for said swim bag I decided to organise a bag for each child to keep as a dedicated swim/beach bag that as always ready to "grab and go". Each bag has thongs, togs, towel, spare clothes, hat, roll on sunscreen (aldi stuff totally rocks!) and a plastic bag for the saturated stuff. The stuff in this bag DOES not get removed except to be washed and IMMEDIATELY replaced. Each family member has one of these bags and it is stored in their wardrobe to be grabbed when the moment warrants a swim/beach visit.. Ready in half the time now and takes a lot of stress away from me!

Now if I could only be as organised in all other areas in my life! Slowly, slowly- I'm working on it!!

TGBTG

Anje xx