Helpful Tools

In my many (ok, five) years as a mother, I have learned that there are several everyday items that make my life easier. Things that you might not even think about picking up at your local "We-have-everything-under-the-sun Mart". Surprisingly, duct tape is not on my list. I don't think we even have any at our house. Don't tell my mother.

Suction Cups

These bad boys are excellent for use in bathrooms with no storage. I'm not talking some storage. I'm talking NO storage. Our bathroom is so small, there is room only for the bathtub (granted, we put in a jacuzzi tub), pedestal sink and toilet. There is no medicine cabinet, there is not a vanity. Everything that we use is out in plain sight. Unless...

...you stick EVERYTHING to the wall of your shower with suction cups!

Clorox Wipes

These are useful for the obvious reasons. They can clean up sticky spills and keep your bathroom nice and shiny. However, I've also discovered that for my 3 year-old who does not care if she's in time out or getting a spanking, they are cruel and unusual punishment. When she has pushed me past my limit, I give her a Clorox wipe and make her clean whatever menial thing I can think of. The legs of our dining room chair and table are an excellent example!

  

This would be such a day.

Detangler

 Need I say more?

Super Glue

There are many things that I've been able to repair with super glue. For example, Madelynn created a dinosaur out of modeling dough at preschool. McKenna made short work of destroying it. I was able to glue it all back together (mostly). There were still a few pieces left over, but I couldn't figure out where they would have gone. Surely it wasn't an anatomically correct brontosaurus.

One of the drawbacks of super glue is that I can't repair anything without also glueing my fingers together. This is the only thing I've discovered that will remove the glue from my skin.

 That's right. A bubble bath, good book and a dessert or glass of wine. Jacuzzi jets optional.

Rubbermaid containers

These shoebox sized rubbermaid containers are fantastic for creating Treasure boxes. These are the catch-all places that all of the girls' "treasures" are placed. This would be the little, teeny, tiny items that cannot under any circumstances be thrown in the trash.

Speaking of trash, I've also discovered (the hard way, of course) that clear trash bags are not a good idea. They must be completely opaque. In addition, if you've thrown away such a treasure or random school paper, DO NOT give the former owners other trash to throw away. You will be forced to keep the trashed item at least two weeks longer. Trust me.