Organization!

So I decided that I was tired of being without items in the van and took to Pintrest to find some inspiration! Needless to say, I have hit organization overload! I started out with the van and now have moved on to planning and organizing the house as well. I love know where stuff is at and finding it with ease. And to be honest that has not been an easy thing to do lately.

Since we are expecting child number three this fall, I thought I better get it in gear and start with the simplest place first. I know that it seems a bit excessive, but a girl has to do what a girl has to do!

First I want to start by saying that there are so many ideas out there, that it can make it difficult to figure out where to begin. However, you have to know what you want as the end result to know where you want to start. For example, I knew that I wanted the van to be organized. From there I started checking out different ideas and worked up a game plan that fit my style.  Your individual style might be a bit different from mine, which is fine! You have to know what will work for you and what won't.

With that said, I will now show you some of the pictures that I have taken of the van organization! Please keep in mind that it is a work in progress, but overall I am very happy with the results!!!!

Please forgive the quality of the photos! It was so hot and I really wanted to get the pictures taken.

I will work from the back of the van to the front!

These are hanging from the back of the 2nd row seats. I didn't want to hang them from the third row for a few of reasons. First, I wanted to make sure that the kids could grab some of the items from where they sit and second, I tend to haul stuff frequently, so the third row of our van remains down most of the time. Finally, with baby number three on the way, I will need to have room for a double stroller and it just won't fit in the well if the third row is up. Enough said. :)

In the organizer on the left I have designated spots in the top row for table cloths, silverware, straws and napkins.  The second row has an open space (I think I am going to put an adaptor or charger cord there), sewing/mending (still need to find a kit I like), Office Supplies (i.e. markers, tape, scissors, etc.), and another open slot. The bottom row has electrical cord, paper towels, rain gear, and ziplock bags.

In the organizer on the right side I have in the first row Kleenex & Germ-X; wipes, extra trash bags & disposable washcloths, First Aid, Accessories (i.e. a brush and hair ties). The second row has travel games, Snacks, more snacks, and water & collapsible water bottles.  The bottom row has a water bottle, swim diapers & ear plugs, regular diapers & Pull-Ups and a change of clothes for the 3 year old. (The black and yellow thing you see is our emergency kit. )

Now, I strongly believe in giving credit where credit is due! 
I have to thank Heidi Castro for the idea. She has some pretty awesome ideas, so go to the link below if you want to check out her page!
http://emcx3.blogspot.com/2012/06/junk-in-trunk-per-request.html


Next up is the organization for the kids!
The first organizer here is hanging from the back of the drivers' seat and is for our oldest child. He is 14 years old, so i wanted to let him have some say in what he wanted to put in his organizer. So far he has a place for sunglasses, notebook & pen, napkins, sick bag, wipes/Kleenex/Germ-X and trash. He tends to put trash in the strangest places, which drives me nuts! So I put a trash bag in one of the pockets for him. I put the remainder of the roll of bags in the same pocket.

Next is the organizer for our 3 year old!  We have pockets for sunglasses, coloring book and crayons/markers, a pocket for toys, an empty pocket (good for a tippy cup, yes he still uses a tippy cup, because Mommy doesn't like things getting spilled in the van!). In the next row we have a place for his trash, wipes/Kleenex/Germ-X, sick bags and his leash. Yes, I said a leash. He tends to bolt from the van and not pay attention. I would rather have strange looks about the leash, than a injured (or worse) child! Just sayin'!

Finally we come to the storage for the front row. Or as I call it, The Mommy Box!   In this box, I have what I might need right at hand so that I don't have to jump out and fetch something from the back. I have labeled each one of my bags with what is inside!  You may notice that they are stored upside down, this is to that I can clearly see what each one hold and to see the label as well. If you take a look at the next picture you can get a better idea of what each bag has.

 Here is a better look at the bags and other items in the Mommy Box!  I have a notebook, wipes (big fan of wipes, especially when I get them for almost free!), Kleenex, Germ-X and a roll of small trash bags. Then I have a bag for each of the following... First Aid, Beauty, Office Supplies, Snacks and Outdoor.  Once again, I store things upside down in the bags so that I can see the label of each bag that is printed on the bottom. I have utilized a Painty Pen to write on the bags. I have found that permanent markers really aren't that permanent!

Credit for the Mommy Box goes to Better Homes and Gardens!
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/free-printable-storage-labels/#page=7

Well I hope that this is of some use to you! I have had so much fun putting these items together! Please feel free to ask me any questions.

Best of luck to you during this summer season!

Crystal AKA Frugal Finny