Extended-Stay Company Tips & Character

     A wise motto says: People are more important than things... which segues to my evolved and proven motto: People sometimes add minor blemishes to things like my dining room table, and those blemishes add... CHARACTER (thanks, Sheri, for that liberating perspective). 

     My grandson's grimy finger prints are immortalized. His Christmas 2012 hand print is forever located on the lower portion of my master bathroom's full-length mirror. If Hollywood can have its Walk of Fame, so can I. His personal touch is charming and priceless.

     When 2 grown children visit at the same time, for consecutive nights, bringing 1 husband, 2 young grandchildren, and 2 dogs, my "character" philosophy is keenly tested. When possible, I attempt to be flexible with family and guests. They are out of their comfortable surroundings and, here and there, need little conveniences. 

     Here are a few easy and practical ideas we recently used for our younger-&-older, long-distance, extended-stay guests:

• Breakfasts: Ask, ahead of time, your company's eating preferences for breakfast: cereal, caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee, soda), and juice. For example, my brother preferred crockpot steel cut oat cereal, which made four mornings of breakfast a breeze (click for recipe): Crockpot steel-cut oats. Scrambled eggs and smoothies are also hardy, easy preps.
• Contain baby items: To keep grand baby
  
  items available yet contained in the kitchen (medicines, formula, etc.), pretty counter top storage is handy. We were able to easily move my daughter's "stuff" during busy food prep. This worked great for mega-multi-tasking Thanksgiving morning. 
• Washing baby bottles: For bottle
  
  items to be safely washed, purchase an inexpensive dishwasher container for straws, and bottle tops and nipples and a bottle scrubber. Keep them stored under the kitchen sink as helpful, year-round dishwasher tools.
• Sippy Cups save the home: Sippy cups are rug- and furniture-savers. A set is stored in my cupboards.
• Barrier Gates & Strategic Kitchen Cabinet Latches: These barriers protect curious toddlers and help adults to enjoy their time together. A stair gate, or a weighty ottoman, with a wood board wedged in front of it, for a stair barrier might save an ER visit.
• Pack-'n-play sleeping nursery: A folded Pack-'n-play stores easily in most closets. Be creative but safe with baby's sleeping quarters (we used our master bedroom's ample closet). (Disclaimer: Two of innumerable safety precautions: 1) make certain there is no possibility of items falling on baby from shelves above or reached by baby, AND 2) we carefully mounted my daughter's baby monitor for continuous safety and clear viewing...to repeat, use wise caution for precious bundles). I performed 3:00 a.m. bottle feedings 2 of the 4 nights. My daughter was able to easily monitor baby the other 2 nights from her sleeping quarters.
• White Noise: With lots of people comes lots of noise. Three tabletop air purifiers are in my home for sleeping babies and adults.
• Extra Bath Tissue: With extra people comes extra use of toilet paper. I store extra rolls in each bathroom.
• Visiting dogs: 

  

  Dremel Rotary Tool for dog's nails & crafting

  To protect our wood floors and furniture, I own a handy Dremel rotary tool. My son trims his dog's nails when he arrives (it's also great for small craft projects throughout the year). Our son brings a large crate for his two dogs to be contained in overnight. The dogs are crated in the utility room. (Disclaimer: Our wood floors do have character).
• Dogs, cont'd: 

  

  Four Paws pooper scoop

  We own a Four Paws brand pooper scoop for the backyard; and, because our backyard is not fenced-in, two stakes with tethers. The pooper scoop is an easy-to-use life-saver, helping to keep shoe bottoms clean post-backyard activity. And, after our company departs, a backyard trunk stores leashes & a few grandchild toys. For barking or other dog disruptions, the nearby Petsmart reasonably saved one of our family time experiences, providing peace-providing pet-sitting.
• Dining Flexibility: Our round dinette table's leaf is hidden under a nearby couch. It is super handy for retrieval or storage when expanding or compressing the table.



Ikea sugar dispenser

• Miscellaneous: 
• Ikea's inexpensive sugar dispenser is a hit for my son-in-law's Dunkin' Donuts Hazelnut coffee fixes. With a mere tilt, it dispenses 1/4 teaspoon of sugar; no measuring required. To see a helpful way to display tea bags and other kitchen ideas, simply click this link: Kitchen organization tips
• Cups are easily seen and available when they're hung on a mug tree. The pictured [Longaberger brand] tree sturdily holds a variety of stylish handled drinking cups and coffee mugs. 

  

  Longaberger Mug Tree

• Toy Battery Tips: Grandchildren = increased need for toy batteries. I own a battery tester. In a pinch, if a toy needs AA batteries but none are on-hand, AAA's can be used instead; and, C's can be used for D's. This link explains how: AAA batteries + aluminum foil = AA batteries

      In no way do we strive to be Martha Stewarts nor claim to be the ideal hostesses; but, thoughtful touches here and there are sanity savers, injury-preventives, and house savers. Planning adds peace during hectic times, and they are appreciated by guests as adults strive to temporarily mutually mix as a family.