The Family Launch Pad
We finally finished off our Launch Pad! Just in time for school to go back!
As you can see we used what we had
- A 2 x 4 IKEA Expedit Unit
- The Bird Fruit Bowl (on the top) – Reject Shop a few years ago
- A Tin Container – Reject Shop a few years ago
and bought a few new bits
- 8 x Medium Trofast Containers from Ikea
- Vinyl Labels form Etsy.
The space consists of three main areas.
- The Errands Box
- The Everyday Station
- Storage Baskets
1. THE ERRANDS BOX
This our go to place for all kinds of lists, notes and items that we need to take with us when we go out.
Receipts of items that need to be returned, the latest sale item I want to check out, our shopping lists and to do lists. We check this box before we leave the house. I fill out our shopping list as we run out of items and as this area is right next to the kitchen it is super handy!
2. EVERYDAY ITEMS
We have had this space happening for a few years now. It is our household go to spot. Runny Nose? Wipe your face? About to go outside? Everything you need for going out or even staying in is here. By having all of this in the one spot it makes getting ready to go out quicker and if I am busy in the house and the kids need something they know exactly where to find it.
3. THE STORAGE BASKETS
This is probably the most important area of the whole “Launch Pad”
We now have EVERYTHING organised, labelled and stored in the one place.
On the top Left to Right.
Hats, Drink Bottles, Lunch Boxes, Lunch Bags
On the bottom Left to right
Emergency, Bags, Organisation, Handbag
The top ones are pretty self explanatory. On the bottom the Emergency box holds torches, power leads and a tool kit. The bags container holds our recyclable bags. Great to use for show and tell items, extra library books, returning tupperware!
The Organisation box is my special little box of supplies! I have a secret love for its contents!
In my handbag I keep a clear little bag of tricks. I always have in it
- Breath mints
- Hand Sanitiser
- Band Aids
- Tissues
- Baby Wipes
- Paw Paw Ointment
- Insect Repellent
- Sunscreen
- Panadol
- Deodorant
This little bag has been the best organisational tool EVER. It means wherever we are I am prepared for anything! Birthday Parties, the beach, the park, shops, the school run. Of course the only way I can carry all this, without looking like Mary Poppins, is to have everything in travel or mini size. Whenever sample/mini/travel sizes are on sale I buy a few and keep them handy in this storage container. Before going out I check my bag to see if anything needs topping up. The best place for these items are the dollar stores. Big W also has a huge range of miniatures!
and the last box is for my handbag! I desperately needed a home for my little mint beauty and this seemed like the most logical place!
The only thing not in this spot is our swimming gear. We just have too many towels, togs, swim shirts, goggles, flotation devices and bags for this area, so for now that lives in the laundry.
But what about the school gear? School bags and hats and library bags?
I assure you they have not been forgotten and are getting a little place all of their own!
I will share our plans for them tomorrow!