Every evening, before you go to bed, you will fill out a Daily Prep Sheet for the next day. This is not optional. This is how we ensure nothing is forgotten and everything is thought through BEFORE the morning chaos begins.

The purpose of the Daily Prep Sheet is to force you to think ahead. When you sit down and fill out this sheet, you are mentally walking through the entire next day: What's for breakfast? What activities do the boys have? What's for dinner? Is anything special happening? Do we need anything from the store?

If you do this every night, mornings become smoother, meals are prepared on time, and nothing falls through the cracks. If you skip this step, things get forgotten, and we end up in crisis mode.

1. Every evening, grab the prep sheet for the next day
2. Fill out every section – don't leave anything blank
3. Place the completed sheet on the kitchen counter so it's visible in the morning
4. Use the sheet as your guide throughout the next day
5. Mom may review the sheet to confirm everything is planned
6. Keep completed sheets in a folder for reference and accountability

Pre-Filled (Already on the template):

• That day's breakfast (from the weekly menu)
• That day's dinner (from the weekly menu)
• That day's after-school activities (from the master schedule)
• Special weekly tasks (medication check, trash nights, weekly prep)

You Fill In:

• Any special calendar changes (early dismissal, appointments, etc.)
• Special to-dos for tomorrow
• Items that need to be purchased or restocked
• Lunch box contents for each boy
• After-school snacks
• Notes and reminders for yourself
• Confirmation that all evening tasks are complete

Pre-Set Schedule:

• Morning: Standard morning routine
• Breakfast: Bagels with cream cheese + Hard-boiled eggs + Fruit salad
• 2:00-3:00 PM: Jack – Ms. Connolly (4Arts)
• 4:15-4:45 PM: Charlie – Piano
• Dinner: Chicken Quesadillas + Caesar salad
• Weekly Task: ⚠️ MEDICATION SUPPLY CHECK

Evening Checklist:

• Lunches packed and in freezer
• Water bottles clean and ready
• Backpacks packed and by the door
• Dinner ingredients confirmed/prepped
• Snack for after school ready
• Dishes done, kitchen clean
• Trash taken out (if full)
• Disco walked
• Devices charging
• House locked
• Prep sheet completed and on counter

Pre-Set Schedule:

• Morning: Standard morning routine
• Breakfast: Pancakes + Bacon + Fruit salad
• 2:45-3:30 PM: Charlie – Mixed Sports
• 5:45 PM: Charlie – Ms. Connolly
• Dinner: Pasta + Broccoli
• Weekly Task: ⚠️ TRASH NIGHT – Take trash to curb

Evening Checklist:

• Lunches packed and in freezer
• Water bottles clean and ready
• Backpacks packed and by the door
• Dinner ingredients confirmed/prepped
• Snack for after school ready
• Dishes done, kitchen clean
• Trash taken to curb (TUESDAY NIGHT)
• Disco walked
• Devices charging
• House locked
• Prep sheet completed and on counter

Pre-Set Schedule:

• Morning: ⚠️ George rides along to school (transition practice)
• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs + Toast and jelly + Fruit salad
• 2:00-2:55 PM: Jack – Systema
• 3:00 PM: Jack – Dr. Steve
• 3:15-4:30 PM: Charlie – Trading Card Club
• 5:45 PM: Charlie – Ms. Connolly
• Dinner: SALMON SUSHI (Takeout) + Edamame

Evening Checklist:

• Lunches packed and in freezer
• Water bottles clean and ready
• Backpacks packed and by the door
• Sushi order planned (time, location, payment)
• Snack for after school ready
• Dishes done, kitchen clean
• Disco walked
• Devices charging
• House locked
• Prep sheet completed and on counter

Pre-Set Schedule:

• Morning: ⚠️ GEORGE DRIVES DAY – Mom leaves early for trainer/walk
• Breakfast: Smoothies + Muffins + Fruit salad
• 2:00-3:00 PM: Jack – Ms. Connolly (4Arts Library)
• 3:30 PM: Charlie – Ms. Tara
• Dinner: Chicken Parmesan + Asparagus

Thursday Morning Checklist (George Drives):

• Smoothie ingredients ready
• Car has gas
• Route to school confirmed
• Departure time confirmed

Evening Checklist:

• Lunches packed and in freezer
• Water bottles clean and ready
• Backpacks packed and by the door
• Dinner ingredients confirmed/prepped
• Snack for after school ready
• Dishes done, kitchen clean
• Disco walked
• Devices charging
• House locked
• Prep sheet completed and on counter

Pre-Set Schedule:

• Morning: Standard morning routine
• Breakfast: Breakfast sandwich/wrap + Fruit salad
• 3:45-4:45 PM: Charlie – Flag Football
• Dinner: Mac and Cheese + Cooked carrots
• Weekly Task: ⚠️ TRASH NIGHT – Take trash to curb

Evening Checklist:

• Lunches packed and in freezer
• Water bottles clean and ready
• Backpacks packed and by the door
• Dinner ingredients confirmed/prepped
• Snack for after school ready
• Dishes done, kitchen clean
• Trash taken to curb (FRIDAY NIGHT)
• Disco walked
• Devices charging
• House locked
• Prep sheet completed and on counter

Saturday Pre-Set Schedule:

• Morning: Relaxed morning
• Breakfast: Açaí bowls + Fruit salad
• Afternoon: No scheduled activities – Plan something fun!
• Dinner: Steak + Sweet potatoes
• Charlie's Commitment: ⚠️ One weekend sporting outing

Sunday Pre-Set Schedule:

• Morning: Relaxed morning
• Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls or croissants + Scrambled eggs + Fruit salad
• Afternoon: No scheduled activities
• Dinner: Caesar Salad Wraps + Artichoke hearts
• Weekly Task: ⚠️ WEEKLY PREP – Prep fruit salad, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, smoothie packs

Sunday Weekly Prep Checklist:

• Fruit salad base prepped
• Hard-boiled eggs made for the week
• Bacon cooked for the week
• Smoothie packs made and in freezer
• Grocery list reviewed

Filling out the Daily Prep Sheet every evening is non-negotiable. It takes 5-10 minutes and saves hours of chaos and forgotten tasks. If you're not sure what to write, ask. If you notice something missing or a problem for tomorrow, flag it tonight—not tomorrow morning when it's too late.

This is how organized, proactive caregivers operate. This is the standard.