Kaelyn and Kaden have visited Chuck E. Cheese's a couple of times in the past, and it's one place that never gets old for them! They love the food, and of course all the fun. I must admit, it can be a pretty exciting place for parents as well! That's why our whole family was excited to learn we were being sent a Guest Pass to visit our local Chuck E. Cheese's!

The Chuck E. Cheese's Guest Pass is redeemable for a large pizza, four drinks and 30 game tokens. As with last time, this was the perfect amount for our family and it was fun visiting on a week day once many schools were back in session. With kids heading back to school, Chuck E. Cheese's reminded me about their Homework Helpers Rewards Calendar and Tokens for Grades programs! 

Chuck E Cheese believes in the value of a good education. For the Tokens for Grades program, children bring in their most recent report card and they will receive FREE tokens for good grades. This is only valid with a food purchase (up to 15 tokens maximum per child - all grading systems accepted). 

Another neat way Chuck E Cheeses supports a good education is through their Homework Helpers Rewards Calendar. This is a great way to help reward your kids for doing their homework. I mean, who doesn't love FREE tokens to Chuck E. Cheese's right? If you head over to the Chuck E. Cheese website, you can download and print a free reward calendar (there are actually many rewards calendars besides the Homework Helpers as well to help your kids develop in areas that are some of the most common challenges of parenting). This free homework reward calendar will help encourage students to learn. Once they've marked off every day, they can bring it in to a Chuck E. Cheese and get 10 free tokens as a reward! 

Our visit to Chuck E Cheese's was just as great as it has ever been. When we arrived, the kids were in awe of all the games and fun things to do, just as if it were there first time every stepping foot in one. It was so neat to see their excitement. It really is every child's dream...even for little ones :)

We ordered our pizza and got our drinks right when we got there. My parents went with us and also placed their order at the same time. We were all amazed with the great service and how quickly our food got to us. The kids remembered how yummy the food was, so they had no problem sitting down to eat a delicious meal before continuing to play with all the fun games, etc. 

The kids enjoying their meal with Grammy and Grampa

Our visit to Chuck E. Cheese's wouldn't have been complete without a little playtime too. Once we finished eating, the kids were on foot ready to check out all the fun things to do. There is such a great variety of games to do. Kaelyn (who is almost 5) enjoyed playing many of them, while Kaden (almost 3) was also able to have fun and do some of the things geared toward younger children like the little rides and climbing equipment. 

As with last time, Kaelyn's favorite part was playing the games and winning the tickets afterward. She remembered that the more tickets you won, the more you were able to "buy" when we were done. We felt 30 tokens went a long way, as we were all able to enjoy the games and have a great time. And, while we all had a great time eating and playing games...I would have to say the highlight for Kaelyn was seeing Chuck E. Cheese himself! They danced, sang and even got some free tickets which was fun too.

We had a terrific time at Chuck E. Cheese's and definitely plan on going back again! The kids had a blast and it really made for a fun time for us to spend together as a family. My parents had never been there, and really enjoyed the fun atmosphere as well!

Win It: Three very lucky readers are each going to win a Guest Pass which is good for one large pizza, four soft drinks and 30 games tokens!! To enter, simply enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Only and will end October 12, 2012

**The products for this review/giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own.

Can you believe September is over half over already?! When I think about how quickly the weeks are flying by, I know Halloween will be here before we know it. I've had fun trying to figure out what my kids will dress up as this year, and have found myself enjoying costume sites like CostumeDiscounters.

When it comes to affordable new 2012 Halloween costumes, Costume Discounters is the place to go. With their incredible Lowest Price Guarantee and amazing selection of everything from kids Halloween costumes to adult costumes...they have it all! When I first visited CostumeDiscounters.com, I was impressed with their large selection of cute discounted toddler costumes and for infants too! Not only that, but their prices are cheap and great for all budgets.

My kids love when packages are delivered to our home. They hear a truck go by and quickly run to the window to see if it's one of our mail carriers. Kaden especially gets excited, which is why this adorable UPS Guy Toddler Costume stood out to me right away as a great costume idea for him!

When I learned we were going to have the opportunity to review it, I couldn't have been happier. It arrived quickly, and of course both kids were eager to check it out.

Out of the package I was not only impressed with the quality of the costume, but also how real it looks. This brown uniform includes a UPS shirt, pants and a matching cap that resembles just what our own local UPS man wears. Kaden was absolutely tickled when he saw it!

The brown, short-sleeved shirt comes in a knit material that I can tell will not only stand up to wear on Halloween, but also dress-up play as well. My favorite part is that there's actually a UPS logo stitched right on the left side of the chest. It makes it so real looking and helps complete the look.

The matching pants go perfectly with the shirt, not to mention the adorable cap! The whole style definitely gives it a uniform look and I love it! Kaden usually doesn't enjoy caps, but he had no problem putting this one on and completing the outfit. The moment he was all dressed, he asked for a box. I think it would be really cute to carry a box instead of a halloween basket so he could put his candy in there instead. It would just add to this adorable outfit even more.

I was very happy with the quality and overall look of this costume. It seems to be just as described and pictured on the website. My little guy loves it and I know he will gets lots of use out of it either for Halloween and/or dress-up play with his siblings!

For anyone looking for affordable costumes...everything from babies to teens to adults, I'd definitely recommend checking out Costume Discounters.

Buy It: You can purchase the UPS Guy for Toddler Costume for just $19.98.

You can connect with Costume Discounters on Facebook and Twitter. 

**This product was provided for free to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you that I was asked to be a Chicago Cutlery Mom Ambassador. I was beyond excited considering their new Chicago Cutlery DesignPro products are made to give everyday moms like myself more confidence and control in the kitchen. As I mentioned, I am no expert when it comes to cooking or using kitchen tools like knives, so I was excited to have the opportunity to test these knives out for myself and see how they helped with meal preparation and time int he kitchen.

We try to eat most of our meals at home during the week, which means I am in the kitchen preparing meals quite a bit. It's often time consuming considering the amount of ingredients and kitchen tools required to prepare a home cooked meal. In the time I've been using the Chicago Cutlery DesignPro knives though, I've found that meal preparation is far easier and time in the kitchen is much more enjoyable. It's amazing the difference using the right tools can make!

Since using the knives I've been able to use them to help me in making several meals. Many of our meals contain a meat of some sort. As many people know, cutting meat can prove difficult if you do not have a good knife to do it. We recently made a small ham as part of a meal and my husband was very excited to be the first to test out the knives on meat. As he cut through the ham his exact words were "wow, this cuts like butter!". I watched as he cut slice after slice effortlessly. I gave it a try and was equally as impressed.

Of course, there are times we also have salads, soups and other dishes to prepare. These are the types of things that often take the most time for me because they include many different ingredients, usually those having to be cut up into small pieces.

We made a yummy Cheesy Broccoli Soup and used the Chicago Cutlery Knives to make cutting up the potatoes, veggies, etc go faster and more smoothly. I was amazed how quickly we got everything prepared compared to times in the past when we've made this recipe. I am continually amazed with these knives and their innovative grip which helps to guide your hand to the best position for superior control and cutting. I can definitely feel the difference with each cut and slice. They are comfortable to use and work like a charm every time.

Not only is the handle great, but these knives are also made with ultra sharp, Japanese steel blades to improve the cutting experience. As I said with the ham, these blades make cutting through anything like cutting through butter. Between this and the grip, we've definitely found that they quicken the food preparation process for almost every meal we make. They are our new go-to kitchen tool!

Here's the recipe for the Cheesy Broccoli Soup we made. Thanks to the Chicago Cutlery DesignPro knives it made preparation a breeze.

Ingredients:
5-6 Potatoes (cut into small pieces)
2 1/2 Cups Milk
2 Cups Frozen California Blend Veggies (all chopped)
1/2 lb Velveeta (cubed)
3-4 T Butter
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Can Broccoli Soup
4 slices Deli Ham (chopped)

Directions:
Boil potatoes until tender. Drain. Add milk, veggies, cheese, butter, salt, pepper, soup and ham. Simmer until thickens.

We are really enjoying these knives and look forward to being able to use them more and more. Stay tuned, as I'll be posting a video showing just how easy they are to use in the coming weeks. You can learn more about the Chicago Cutlery DesignPro Knives on Amazon.com!

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Chicago Cutlery DesignPro Chef Knife (retail value of $34!) Open to US only. To enter, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here.


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**I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Chicago Cutlery and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. 

It's hard to believe that September is half over already! That means a busy time of year with holidays and birthdays is just around the corner for us. I know the next couple of months are just going to fly by, which is why I've already begun to start thinking about Halloween and planning out costumes for all of us.

I typically get caught up in searching out costumes for the kids, but this year I'm throwing around the idea of finding something for my husband and I as well. There are so many fun couples Halloween costumes out there, I'm sure it would be a blast and the kids would enjoy it too!

With three little ones shopping for pretty much anything is much easier when done online...and that includes Halloween costumes. I've enjoyed searching through sites like PureCostumes.com, a family friendly costume site that has been in business for over 10 years. They have a large selection of adult costumes, including many plus size Halloween costumes as well. I browsed through the couples costumes and found many unique Halloween costumes that hubby and I could wear this year.

I for one like cute ideas, so the Coca Cola costumes for couples were definitely ones that stuck out to me right away.

My hubby is big into sports, so the Referee Costumes for couples were also something that I knew would suit us well too.

Having young children though, I'd have to say the TV Show Character Costumes like the Flinstone Couple costumes was something I could see us doing more than anything. It's fun and the kids would absolutely love it!

I spent a long time looking through the great selection of couples costumes and plus-size costumes at PureCostumes.com. I was impressed with the variety offered and appreciated being able to easily look through the great Halloween costumes 2012 ideas thanks to a user-friendly site and easy to find categories.

Whether you're in search for a fun couples costume idea, or an adult costume for yourself....Pure Costumes has a great selection to choose from. It doesn't matter if you're looking for sports costumes, movie costumes or something else...they have it all!

**This was a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own. 

When asked if I'd like to sit in on a call with Banner Alzheimer's Institute about the Alzheimer's Prevention Registry, I said yes without hesitation. Having had a Grandparent who lived with Alzheimer's many years, my family and I have been directly affected by this disease and want nothing more than to become better educated about the facts and work towards prevention and finding a cure!

Twelve years ago, I was not all that familiar with Alzheimer's. It wasn't until my Grandma was first diagnosed that we began learning more and experiencing first hand just how cruel this disease is. As anyone knows who has experienced someone going through this, it is heartbreaking to watch...a person who was once so bright, cheerful, and full of life slowly slips away as they lose their memory, their ability to speak...even the ability to eat! It's such a robbery of a great life, and directly affects not just them, but those around them! My Grandpa lived for many years taking care of her in every way he could. It was heartbreaking to watch how hard it was on him both physically and emotionally.

Knowing first hand how terrible this disease is, I am honored to be able to help spread the word about the Alzheimer's Prevention Registry, sharing facts about Alzheimer's and encouraging others to join this important cause...working toward prevention and a cure!

I found the Webinar to be extremely informative and touching. Many points were made that I felt important to pass along to others seeking to learn more about the disease and how they can help. Some main things I took away from the meeting was that Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and is not a normal part of aging. You can learn more about Alzheimer's vs. normal aging, here. It is actually the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. which was shocking to me. Although I saw it rob my Grandma in so many ways, I didn't realize that it was the disease itself that she died from, and not just old age. In fact, not only is it a cause of death, but it's the only one of the top 10 causes of death that cannot currently be prevented, treated or cured. How incredibly sad and startling! It also surprised me to learn that 5.4 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's, and someone is diagnosed every 6.9 seconds!

I also learned a great deal about Banner Alzheimer's Institute and their dedication to researching this disease and working to prevent it and find a cure! They have created an Alzheimer's Prevention Registry to help get others get involved to help! They have 5,000 people currently enrolled, with a goal to reach 100,000 by June 2013! The only requirement to sign up for the registry is to be 18 or older. That's it! By signing up, a person has access to information and resources about what's being done to fight the disease. You might also be asked to be a part of a research study, which is always your choice and you have no obligation to be a part of if you wish not to.

No matter if you've experienced this devastating disease with a family member, friend, etc or not, you can help by learning more and becoming a part of this important cause which is working toward prevention, a cure and hopefully saving another generation from being lost to it! You can learn more and easily sign up at endALZnow.org!

You can learn more and connect with Banner Alzheimer's Institute on Twitter and Facebook as well. 

**I was compensated for writing this post on behalf of Banner Alzheimer's Institute and TheMotherhood, however all opinions are my own. 

Whether we're home, or on the go, our kids love to stay entertained with smart phones, tablets, etc. They're fun and can be a treaty learning tool as well. Unfortunately though, many of the devices we have are not what I would consider kid-friendly. They are delicate and not made to withstand drops and handling by little ones. That's why I appreciate VTech and their dedication to providing amazing products perfect for young children. One of which is the new InnoTab 2!

VTech's InnoTab 2 Learning App Tablet is great for children between the ages of 3 and 9, both at home and on the go. It gives children their own tablet and keeps them engaged while they learn. If you're familiar with this product, you know that this functional tablet combines many features that are entertaining, fun and educational! After learning more about the VTech InnoTab 2 and the fact that it teaches basic learning skills like math, problem solving, science, etc, I was thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review one.

Features/Benefits:

• Built-in digital photo/video camera fully rotates to take images and videos 
• 2GB onboard memory with SD card slot expandable up to 32 GB of memory
• 5" color touch screen and tilt sensor
• Camera, video camera, photo viewer, video player, MP3 music player, e-reader, art studio, games and microphone
• Can personalize for up to four users with wallpaper, user name and avatar, a voice greeting and more

When the InnoTab 2 Learning App Tablet arrived, I was excited to check it out and see what the kids thought. I had a feeling they would enjoying have a fun and exciting tablet much like the one they see mommy and daddy using, and I was right!

As soon as they saw it (not even out of the box yet), they were begging to try it out. As with anything technological I wondered how easy it would be to set up. Thankfully, there were user-friendly instructions which made the process a piece of cake. It was a lot like what we had done with the MobiGo 2, so I was already familiar with the process. YAY!

In no time we had the InnoTab 2 ready to play with and personalized for each of the kids. You can actually personalize for up to four users with a username, avatar, voice greeting and more which I think is neat...especially when we have two kids (and at some point our third) who want to play with it. 

 

Both Kaelyn and Kaden have absolutely loved playing with the InnoTab 2! It keeps them engaged while they learn, no matter if it's down time at home or we're at the Drs, grocery store, etc. The size is great for little hands, and I love the rubberized corners which makes it easier to grip and more protected if dropped. I can tell the quality is great and something that will us a long time!

As I said, it's been a hit in our house. It combines a photo/video camera which actually rotates so that you can can capture memories of yourself or friends. I think this is Kaelyn's favorite part. She loves to take pictures and then edit and save them with special effects. 

Of course, aside from the camera, there are many other ways to play with the InnoTab 2! There are interactive animated e-books, creative activities, motion games using the tilt sensor, and a rich collection of applications. Kaden loves the motion games. He tilts, twists, and turns the tablet to play exciting learning games. He has so much fun and would probably do this for hours if I'd let him! 

The e-books and music features have also been a big hit! I'm looking forward to watching as they learn more and more with this great learning app tablet, and can't wait to check out additional apps such as games, e-books, cartridges and more. 

We have been thrilled with the VTech InnoTab 2 Learning App Tablet and would definitely recommend it to other families with children. With so much fun and learning offered in one device, it's sure to be something both parents and children love!

Buy It: You can purchase the VTech InnoTab 2 for $79.99 at VTechKids.com.

You can connect with VTech on Twitter and Facebook

**I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for VTech. I received product samples to facilitate my review.

Outdoors is one of our favorite places to be during these warmer months. Kaelyn and Kaden are old enough that they enjoy running around with their friends, playing on our trampoline, etc. It's not always easy to keep an eye on them and Caysen who likes to crawl around and get into things. I've been wanting a safe place for him to play outside, and have now found thanks to Summer Infant!

Summer Infant is a company dedicated to bringing parents a large selection of products that are both safe and sensible for little ones. I love how Summer Infant puts their heart and soul into everything they design which is why I am a huge fan of their company and products.

We have always been very happy with the Summer Infant products we own, and I couldn't have been more excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review another. Their Summer Infant SecureSurround Playsafe Playard was just what we had been needing!

• extra tall panels, 30"
• neutral colors blend with home decor and outdoors
• walk through door with handle for quick access to child
• 6 plastic panels included to create large play area
• convenient carry handle and light weight allow for easy portability
• weather resistant materials

When the SecureSurround Playsafe Playard arrived, I was looking forward to testing it out. It was a really nice day, so we actually got to use it right away.

Out of the box I could tell it was excellent quality. It's durable and something that will not only withstand a lot of use, but the weather resistant materials are also nice since it will mainly be used outdoors! I see this is lasting us a long time!!

I took it outside and set it up. It was very easy to do because there was really no assembly. I just had to position it how I wanted, secure it into place and in no time it was up and ready to use! I placed a sheet underneath it, just to keep Caysen from eating the grass, etc and it worked perfectly!

I was impressed with how large this 6 panel playard really is! When I was setting it up I wasn't sure how much space it provide for play, but once it was all set up...I was happy with how much room Caysen had to play. He was pretty excited!

There was even enough room for his brother and sister when they decided to join him! 

There's also a walk through door with handle so I can get to the kids quickly and easily. 

We have been using this playard a lot outside this summer. It's the perfect place for Caysen to safely play. I am able to throw in some of his favorite toys and he's content and entertained for a long time. It's spacious enough that he doesn't seem to mind it at all. It's really great for the outdoors, but I could see it coming in handy inside as well.

I also appreciate that it's so portable. It's pretty lightweight, and the fact that it's so easy to set up and also features a handle for easy carrying makes it great for taking in and out of the garage or house.

 Overall we've been really happy with the SecureSurround Playsafe Playard from Summer Infant. The quality is fantastic and I love that it creates a safe play area for my kids. I would definitely recommend it to other parents with little ones. 

Buy It: You can purchase the SecureSurround Playsafe Playard retails for $89.99.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a SecureSurround Playsafe Playard from Summer Infant! To enter, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here.

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**The product for this review was provided for free. However, all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Our family loves summer, but we also enjoy this beautiful almost fall-like weather as well! The mornings are cool while the afternoon and evenings are warm and pleasant. It's perfect! We still try to get outside as much as possible, spending time together as a family taking walks, grilling out, etc. We also love to entertain and get together with family which is why I loved hearing that Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. (host of Food network's Big Daddy's House) teamed up with Family Dollar to offer more reasons to host a summer gathering, more great grilling ideas and more ways to save!

Even though September is now here and we're getting closer to cooler temps, it's not too late to continue hosting fun gatherings outside with family an friends. If you enjoy entertaining, here are some party theme ideas you may find useful:

Midsummer Nights Dream: An Outdoor PJ Party
o Adults or Kids – who doesn’t love a good PJ party?
o Fire up the grill a little later than usual, as the guests vote for their favorite PJ outfit
o Once it gets dark, settle in for some spooky ghost stories
o Don’t forget to leave the vents on the grill open for toasting marshmallows

Dog Days of Summer: Bring Your Own Pet
o This time invite the most forgotten party guest of all – the pets!
o Serve a variety of animal-themed treats (puppy chow, anyone?)
o Goodie bags with dog treats are a nice touch
o Just remember to make sure you have the one party supply you might not normally think of – a pooper scooper!
o Use caution in keeping pet outside in hot weather and always make sure they have plenty of water.

Summer Toga Party
o What’s the coolest thing to wear in the summer? Shorts? A tank top? Wrong - A Toga!
o Roll up invitations in a scroll and use an “ancient” font
o Host a Greek potluck – have everyone bring their favorite Greek dish
o Fill wine glasses with water and put floating candles inside them for a nice touch

And, here are some great tips from Chef McCargo when planning your themed get-together!

•          Don’t forget the table weights (even if you have to make them yourself). Pinning old, unused keys on tablecloth corners helps them stay in place in case the wind picks up.
•          Leave out markers so guests can write their names on their plastic cups. Spice it up by encouraging them to use fake names, then try to guess whose is whose.
•        Put stickers on the bottom of several plastic plates before serving time. Once everyone gets their food, give a prize to the guests who (unknowingly) picked up the stickered dishware.
•         Keep the games going. Whether it’s kickball for the kids or cornhole for the grown-ups, nothing keeps a party hoppin’ like a little friendly competition.
•        Marinate chicken in Glad® freezer bags several hours before grilling it to lock in the flavor.
•        Have a sidewalk chalk drawing contest for the kids. Pick up goodies as prizes from Family Dollar. (Hey, you can even get the chalk there, too!)
•         Place mini battery-operated fans on the food tables. The moving air makes it impossible for pesky flies to land.
•        Turn meat just once onm the grill. For steaks, turn them when the juices start to bubble on the uncooked side (the clearer the juice, the more well done the meat).
•         Apply sauces containing honey, brown sugar or molasses during the last 10 minutes of grilling to prevent the sauce from burning.
•         Keep a spray bottle handy so you can spritz grill flare ups, which can blacken your food.

Now that you have all the tips and ideas you need to plan the best gathering yet...Chef McCargo and Family Dollar are kindly offering one lucky reader a Spice Up Your Family Fun giveaway package that will include all the essentials for hosting a great summer party! Included will be:

Plastic Plates/Tablesware

SCOTT Paper Towels

GLAD Plastic bags

BBQ Lighter

Colored Chalk Tote

To enter - Simply fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here.

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**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free. However all opinions are my own. 

 When we moved into our home one year ago, one of the biggest selling points was all the extra storage space. Not only the large storage room, but also plenty of closets for our growing family. We have two large closets in our mudroom, one where I keep all of my blog stuff organized, and the other which...well, it was just a catch all for junk. I wanted to utilize the space better and got an idea from none other than Pinterest! :)

I like to try and stay organized, and with three kids and all their things, it has become even more important! I am always on the lookout for ways to do this, which is why I've been drawn to the many neat pictures of lockers/cubbies for kids' coats, shoes etc. that I've seen on Pinterest. We don't have a lot of extra wall space where we could build one of these out in the open, but this closet used for nothing but junk did come to mind!

After talking with my hubby, we decided that building the "lockers" inside the closet would be a great way to accommodate our needs and space. We first took out the old shelves (sorry, I forgot to take pics) and repainted the walls (which were white and scuffed up). We went back and forth about doing a fun color, or going with tan...and ultimately went with the tan and are so glad we did!

Busy painting (Kaden helped too! :))

After painting

We then measured the space and headed to our local home improvements store to purchase the materials we would need. That same week, my hubby and dad worked for a few hours and pretty much got the lockers completely built. They even added some trim pieces along the bottom of each cubby area to give it a more finished look which I love!

Once it was all built and secured, I got the fun part of adding in the accessories. I had bought three baskets at Target which worked perfectly for the top of each locker. We are using them to keep their hats and mittens. I am hoping this will help keep everything in its place so we are losing things like we have in the past. It also keeps it hidden!

I then got three oil rubbed bronze hooks from Walmart and hung one in each locker. These are coat hooks and made to hold quite a bit of weight which is good since they will be using them for jackets and book bags.

Finally, and probably my favorite part of all...are their names! I went online and found someone on Etsy who does individual names for a very reasonable price. I got each of the kids' names and put them in their locker. It was the finishing touch and really brought everything together. I think this is probably the kids' favorite part too. I mean really, who doesn't like to have their name on things and have it personalized just for them?! 

These fun lockers came together perfectly, and suit our space and needs great! The kids love them, and I love how organized we can now keep everything! We just got them done last week, just in time for Kaelyn to have a place to hang her school bag and coat each day.

There's even a place for their shoes at the bottom which has been nice as well. 

And, when we don't want all our kids' stuff to show...we simply close the closet door! :)