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Planning for Success: Include Holidays – Day 15

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Planning for success - Day 15

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 15: Include Holidays

Our family enjoys holidays. Since I like to decorate for most of them, my girls get so excited when I begin putting away the current decorations because they know a new set is coming. For example, as I took down the Christmas trees in my children’s rooms this past weekend, my toddler asked multiple times to have her Valentine’s Day hearts put in her room. *Sigh* A mother’s work is never done. 🙂

Though most planning tools include holidays within their pages, some do not. If you create your own calendar, like me, then your planning tool is blank, and you add in the holidays. If you need to add the holiday schedule to your calendar, then Day-Finder.com includes the following lists:

American Holiday Schedule

      • January 21 – Martin Luther King Day 2013
      • February 2 – Groundhog Day 2013
      • February 14 – Valentine’s Day 2013
      • February 18 – Presidents’ Day 2013
      • March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day 2013
      • March 29 – Good Friday 2013
      • March 31 – Easter 2013
      • May 12 – Mother’s Day 2013
      • May 18 – Armed Forces Day 2013
      • May 27 – Memorial Day 2013
      • June 14 – Flag Day 2013
      • June 16 – Father’s Day 2013
      • July 4 – Fourth of July 2013
      • September 2 – Labor Day 2013
      • October 14 – Columbus Day 2013
      • October 31 – Halloween 2013
      • November 11 – Veterans Day 2013
      • November 5 – Election Day 2013
      • November 28 – Thanksgiving 2013
      • December 25 – Christmas 2013

Canadian Holiday Schedule

      • February 18 – Family Day 2013
      • May 20 – Victoria Day 2013
      • July 1 – Canada Day 2013
      • November 11 – Remembrance Day 2013

Realizing that Canadians need a few more holidays and Americans tend to celebrate everything, I included the American holiday schedule on my calendar. Knowing the dates helps in planning events, parties, and celebrations.

As you plan for success in 2013, include holidays on your calendar for which you and your family celebrate. Though there are other important dates and the above lists are not inclusive, customize your calendar with additional days, like Daylight Savings Time.

Keep using time wisely and jot down holidays and important dates to help you save time and energy. Happy planning!

Question: What additional holidays are on your calendar?

Planning for Success: Choose Event Dates – Day 22

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Planning for success - Day 22

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 22: Choose Event Dates

Not sure how it happens, but birthdays sneak up on me. I know when my children’s birthdays are, but it seems like that distant birthday increases speed and arrives early. Though each birthday party has gone well, I would like to plan better this year.

With out-of-town relatives, I need to give advanced notice for their availability and travel arrangements. For the sake of my sanity and locking in the dates for key participants, I am working to add the following events to our 2013 calendar:

1. Child 1’s birthday party (To Be Determined – TBD)

2. Child 2’s birthday party (Hello Kitty)

3. Child 3’s birthday party (Mickey Mouse)

4. Family vacation

5. Fall Festival

6. Halloween Party

7. History Fair

8. Hubby’s birthday celebration

9. Science Fair

Though I won’t confirm these dates until contacting others, I will have a tentative date and a reminder to start planning. Just thinking about these events now, gets the ideas flowing for future planning. I also can keep a lookout for inexpensive party supplies which saves money, energy, and time.

In planning for success, ponder the events you will host this year and choose event dates. With the reminder in your calendar, your next birthday celebration shouldn’t sneak up on you so quickly.

Keep scheduling important items on your calendar. As you get organized, you can follow your calendar to a successful 2013 while using time wisely. Happy choosing!

Question: What events are you planning for 2013?

Planning for Success: Register Community Events – Day 29

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Planning for success - Day 29

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 29: Register Community Events

Our month of planning for success is winding down. Though I am far from completing my calendar for the year, I have a great start with reminders along the way.

Usually, I do not care to get reminders from others. Those doctor appointment calls and e-mails waste my time. If I confirm once, then I’m coming. I really don’t need the additional reminders a week before or day before. Ah . . . OK, stepping down from my soap box now. 😉

In our event category this month, we have selected a planning tool, set our school and work activities, included holidays, and chosen event dates. In ending this planning for success event section, I register community events. These events include the following:

Church

From retreats to seminars, record registration deadlines for these activities.

Clinics and Classes

Applying early for events, even the free ones like Lowe’s Build and Grow, reserves your spot in the class. Some of our classes are through the zoo, art museums, science centers, and private organizations. Usually these events are first come, first serve, so register early.

Lessons

If you register for swim, musical instrument, sports, or other private lessons, record the registration dates and times for best availability.

School

Meeting enrollment deadlines during the discount period saves my family money, energy, and time. Without wondering about available space, my children’s spots are reserved when payment is received. Adding these dates to the calendar gets me moving.

If you apply for financial aid, then also include that deadline date on your planning tool.

Sports

In our household, we register for soccer season. As I get registration information, these dates are placed on my calendar to get on the same team and prevent paying more after the early bird deadline.

Summer Camps

My daughter is so excited about going to art camp this year. She turned 5 years old after the cutoff date last year, so she is thrilled to finally go. Knowing how excited she is, I am waiting for registration to open and will enroll her as soon as the information is released.

Other camps might include sports, fine arts, zoo, and day camp. As you get the information, add the deadlines to your calendar to prevent tears and disappointment this summer.

In planning for success, register community events early to save money, energy, and time. I have been saved many times by these reminders to myself. I even go so far as to schedule reminders to check websites for information months in advance.

Continue using time wisely by spending a few moments to note registration dates. Besides increasing your chances of holding a space, you may also save money, energy, and time. Happy registering!

Question: How do you remember registration dates for community events?

Valentine’s Day Activities

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Valentine's Day

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My son has his Valentine’s Day packages filled with his notes written. As I had all the supplies, my son was ready to get that project done.

My daughter enjoyed the process much more as she carefully chose the items for each of her classmates. Though we have not written out her cards from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts yet, her packages are complete.

As you prepare for February 14th, enjoy these Valentine’s Day activities gathered from around the Internet from very talented bloggers:

Crafts

  • 21 Craft Ideas for Kids by Fave Crafts

Food

  • Almost-famous conversation hearts’ recipe from Food Network

Free Printable Activities

  • Valentine’s Pack for ages 2 to 8 by 3 Dinosaurs

Games

  • Candy Heart Estimation by Living Life Intentionally
  • Valentine’s Bingo and other games by Kaboose

Resources

  • Multiple Valentine’s Day resources from TeacherVision
  • With more than 50 Valentine’s Day resources from recipes to menu planners by The Better Mom

With so many activities, I hope you can find what you need to make your Valentine’s Day holiday a heart-felt success. If you are having a party, then please comment with your party ideas. I look forward to learning from you. Happy planning!

Question: Do you have a special Valentine’s Day tradition?

Valentine’s Day Printable Gifts

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Valentine's Day Printable giftsValentine’s Day is quickly approaching. With a busy week of activities and projects, my children have completed their Valentine packages for their classmates. My son whipped his out about a week ago, but my daughter (age 5) worked really hard to carefully write the names.

If you are short on time or need a few extra cards, then turn to this list of free Valentine’s Day printable gifts:

Printable Valentines from Deal Wise Mommy

  • Bird themed Valentines
  • Mustache themed Valentines
  • Monster themed Valentines
  • Owl themed Valentines
  • Rockin’ themed Valentines

Step-by-step Instructions for Valentine Pouches

I Can Teach my Child offers free instructions for creating simple brown paper Valentines filled with candy.

Printable Coupon Booklet

For a fun twist for your spouse, I Heart Nap Time offers a free printable sheet of love coupons.

In using time wisely preparing for Valentine’s Day, these printable cards and coupons offer quick solutions in a busy season. With all the activities, notes, games, crafts, and resources posted last week, we have plenty of options for our Valentine’s Day celebration. Wishing you a heart-felt day!

Question: Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions?