Keep It Simple

Dishes and laundry.  Dishes and laundry.  Dishes and laundry.  WILL IT EVER END?!? 
This is usually how I feel. 
But things are changing here at Hanewinkel House, remember? 
Part of our family revolution is finding ways to simplify life so it is more free.
It seems like laundry is never ending.  I can do 3 or 4 loads a day, everyday, and still have mountains of clothes and towels and the like waiting for me.  I just want to pull my hair out sometimes!  Well, that is one thing that needs to change...  Needs to be simplified.  Soooo, yesterday the kids and I decided to go through all of their clothes and give away a bunch to charity.  We filled up a couple of large trash bags to give away, condensed the boys clothes into one dresser (and the closet), and freed up a dresser to use for art supplies!  The kids are super stoked to be doing something to help others and it was a really great opportunity to teach them about needs vs. wants.  Now I figure laundry won't be quite so burdensome anymore b/c there isn't as much for the kids to dirty up!  We also have a fun new project to work on together b/c of this...  We are going to paint the empty dresser, put new handles on it, and move it into the kitchen/dining area.  We plan to fill the drawers with crayons, markers, paints, paper, etc. so all of the art supplies are totally accessible to everyone.  We are really excited about this!
My absolutely fabulous husband came up with a super idea too, which we implemented last night.  We gave everyone (including ourselves) one plate, one bowl, one cup, and one set of silverware.  All of the "leftovers" we stacked and put away on the top shelves of the cabinets.  From now on everyone is responsible for his or her own dishes...  After meals we fill up the sink with soapy water and each of us takes a turn washing our own dishes.  This way we will hardly ever use the dish washer (dishwasher detergent is super toxic and terrible for the environment) and their will no longer be dirty dishes piled in our sinks.  The kids are totally loving this and feel so independent getting to be in charge of their own things!
These are just a couple of ways we are shaking things up here...  Life is good and keeps getting better! :)