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My Upcoming 2012-2013 Events

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My upcoming 2012-2013 events

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

This school year seemed to take off like a rocket. In whizzing past opportunities, I have chosen to limit my event planning this year. Last year, I took on too much. Though the events went really well, I was worn out, tired, and sick after each event.

Though I am still very active at my children’s school with chaperoning on field trips, organizing lunch pickups, and assisting teachers with daily tasks, I am not directing any of the school programs this year. I enjoy directing, but I lighten my load. In using time wisely, these are my upcoming 2012 -2013 events:

Fall Festival

Our school’s primary fundraiser is our Fall Festival in November. In the midst of our building project, all proceeds from the Fall Festival will benefit our growing student body.

These Fall Festival preparations are in the works, and I have been working to nail down commitments. Creating a safe, fun environment with lots of activities and shows is my goal in coordinating KidZone. I’ll keep you updated as our event takes form.

Lunch Coordinator

As our school is growing, I volunteered to help our new school office manager at lunch time. In past years, the students only had the option to purchase pizza on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Each child is responsible to bring their own lunch to school as there is not a school cafeteria. To assist parents with at least one lunch option a day, I researched, visited establishments, negotiated deals, and created an order form for weekly lunches. The new system takes effect next week. Stay tuned for more details on the good, the bad, and the ugly. 😉

Forensics Coach

My new adventure this year is coaching one student in the NFL (National Forensics League). Though I have entered speech contests, directed productions, completed two speech degrees, taught Fundamentals in Speech, and judged numerous speech contests, I have never coached one-on-one.

Besides the newness in coaching, I have no experience with the NFL, so I’m learning their rules, guidelines, and judging regulations. The first meet might be interesting, but we have to start somewhere. 😉

With my upcoming 2012-2013 events, I look forward to learning new concepts, applying my experiences, and enjoying the process while using time wisely. In preparing for these events, I expect to make mistakes, but in the end, I’ll be better for it.  Stepping out of my comfort zone!

Question: What are your plans this school year?

2012: My Upcoming Family Events

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2012 - My upcoming family events

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

When I shared my upcoming 2012-2013 events last week, I failed to mention my upcoming family events. As I wrote the other post, I was in the midst of planning, searching, and nailing down vendors and acts for our Fall Festival. With school projects on my mind, I only shared the school-related events.

On Monday afternoon, my toddler kept asking for “her cookie.” Figuring she wanted a cookie, I offered her one. But she didn’t want that cookie, she wanted “her cookie.” Really confused, I asked if she could show me. To which she trotted off to get the weekly ad from the Sunday paper. Then, I realized the miscommunication.

Toddler’s Birthday Party

Over the weekend when I went through the newspaper, I found the advertisement with all the birthday decorations. With my toddler close by, I asked her what kind of birthday party she wanted. She worked her way through the sales flyer naming the characters until she chose Mickey Mouse.

Though her birthday is not until the winter months, my toddler is ready for her Mickey Mouse birthday party and “her cookie.” The cookie part is because brother and sister each got a large chocolate chip cookie to share on their birthdays.

With a one-track mind, I think I need a distraction less my toddler remembers every day for the next few months. 😉

Halloween Bash

In skipping our annual Halloween Bash last year due to illness after the Fall Festival, I return to planning this year’s Halloween party. While shopping with my older children on Saturday, we found some cute Halloween crafts in the Target $1 Spot section as well as a Halloween game.

For accountability, I mentioned our party to a friend to put on her radar around Halloween. I still have a few details to work out, but I usually keep the same schedule to make planning simple and the party predictable. My kids love knowing the plan and repeating the games.

In using time wisely, my toddler’s birthday party and our Halloween bash comprise my upcoming family events. Thankfully, I have hosted both of these themes in the past, so recreating or tweaking these ideas will save me money, energy, and time. Happy planning ahead!

Question: What events are on your calendar or radar this fall and winter? 

Making Spontaneous Adjustments

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Making spontaneous adjustments

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My idea of the perfect outing is where the day goes according to my plan. Yes, I plan outings because I like to know where we are going, what we will do, and when we will leave.

The structure defines how long we can stay, and what activities we can do. Making spontaneous adjustments gets me over obstacles, but I prefer to have all the possibilities covered. Quirky? Absolutely! 🙂

Arranging our schedule

This past Saturday, I had the day planned. With the free Smithsonian Museum Live event and soccer games previously scheduled, I decided to pack everything just in case we didn’t have time to come home to change.

After a big breakfast, we headed out in the rain to our chosen Children’s Museum. Upon quickly finding parking and no lines, we proceeded to the admission desk. As I presented our vouchers, our request was met with confusion. The agent informed us that they were not participating.

An Abrupt Halt in our Schedule

Stunned, but not surprised by this museum’s choice, we moved out to the lobby. Having blocked off the morning for our museum trip, we had a choice to make. Deciding to leave, we made a quick stop by Paul’s parents’ house and chose to enjoy a leisurely family lunch.

Adjusting our Schedule

Bringing along two Groupon vouchers where I paid $15 for $30 worth of food, we headed toward the restaurant. After selecting 5 meals, I used the Groupons and paid $1.24 (in cash) to complete our transaction. After a nice lunch, we discovered that my son’s practice shirt was packed, not his uniform shirt. We zipped by our house to let him change and then headed out to the ball fields.

Though our day did not follow my schedule (How dare it? ;-)), the result of making spontaneous adjustments proved that family fun is where our family is. By knowing what on our schedule can change and keeping coupons, daily deal vouchers, and gift cards nearby, we enjoyed our family time together.

As you plan your next outing, party, or event and those plans come to a halt, enjoy the ride of making spontaneous adjustments. Your outing may fare better with a little creativity while using time wisely. Happy planning with spontaneous adjustments!

Question: How do you roll when your plans change?

Event Promotion: A Personal Invitation

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Personal invitations

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

I am getting consumed with Fall Festival preparations. Keeping separate times to work and to put it away, I feel more balanced this year. Having spent so much time last year designing the space, I only need to tweak the plans, which saves me energy and time.

Our marketing volunteers have created banners, posters, flyers, postcards, and business cards to promote our Fall Festival. Keeping these invitations in my purse, I am learning the power of a personal invitation.

When I shopped at a craft store today, I extended to our cashier an invitation to our Fall Festival. After chatting about the event, I left a postcard with her listing the location, date, and time. Our cashier seemed truly thankful for the information and the details.

Though I know not whether she will come, I know that she has the information to attend. I cannot tell you how many times someone has informed me of an event when I am on the run. When I get to a place to write it down, I cannot remember the location, date, or time. Had I been given an invitation or flyer, then I would have the information to add to my calendar.

In using time wisely to promote an event, remember a personal invitation spoken will go further with a written flyer, postcard, or business card. Knowing this gesture saves me time and energy, I seek to help others as I invite them to our upcoming event. Happy inviting!

Question: Do you find personal invitations helpful for community events?

2012 Third Quick Tip Week: Free Family Portrait

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Free Family Portrait

Photograph Credit: JCP

Quick Tip Week continues! Hope this week of shorter posts highlighting one tip in each category helps you in using time wisely.

For series already in progress, I will continue with the next segment following our Quick Tip Week.

Embrace this week, add your tips in the comments, and continue using time wisely!

Quick Tip #3: Free Family Portrait

During the month of November, participating J.C. Penney Portrait Studios are offering JCP Reward members a free family photo.

Did you just say, “Wow?” I know!!! This offer is for JCP Reward members, so sign up for free (if you’re not already a member) and schedule your appointment.

Happy savings during a fun, free family portrait!

Question: When was the last time you had a family portrait taken?