That’s a really good idea.  You could so something similar with their snacks:  put in some cheese, fruits, etc and direct them to the fridge when they ask for a snack;  let them know that once the fridge is empty, snacking is over for the day.

I divided out snacks into single serving portions so that when our new baby is born our six year old will be able to help herself to her favorite snacks.  I also wrote her name on the little water bottles she takes to school for snack time so that I won’t have to remember to do it in the morning when we’re rushing to get out the door on time.

When I had my 4th baby in 4.5 years, making it 5 kids total, my mom suggested getting Uggs for all the walkers so essentially they would wear the same shoe from October to March with NO SOCKS.  How great is that?! Putting socks & shoes every time we wanted to leave the house was driving me crazy.  Fortunately she bought them too—but I’m sure there are other boots/shoes that a child could wear without socks that even little guys could manage to put on. Although I highly recommend Uggs.  They are well made and I have been able to pass them on to younger siblings. 

Here are my other tips:  1) Keep toothbrushes/paste in the bathroom closest to the kitchen, (in the guest bathroom), so that you can supervise teeth brushing while finishing the kitchen.  2)  Put an entire package of diapers & wipes in the car and leave them there, so you’re forever ready.  Same with a case of bottles water and a box of snacks (granola bars, fruit snacks) 3) code everything - plates, bowl, cups, towels 4) put socks/tights in a basket in the front hall closet so you are not fetching them last minute 5) have one drawer for each child designated as “church approved” clothes, so they’re not confused about what to wear 6) Have a small shop vac for use in the kitchen.  My cousin had triplets (plus an 18 month old) and they found a wet/dry vac especially helpful.  7) keep cleaning supplies, including a package of garbage bags and paper towels in every bathroom, so you can tidying on the fly.  If possible, have a vacuum on every level of the house too. 8) Make lunch for the kids the night before - like you would for kid going to school, so they can get it themselves if you’re too busy or exhausted.

I now have 6 kids ages 12, 8,7,6,5 and almost 3.  It’s gotten much easier, but when they were 7, 3,2,1 and NB my DH lived out of state for about 7 months.  He had taken a new job and we were in the process of selling the house, and didn’t know anyone where we were living, so I was desperate for ways to make things run more smoothly.

Here are a couple of ideas I’ve come across about children serving themselves water:
Having a glass pitcher of water at all times on the table & glasses within reach for the children:
http://www.gsheller.com/2011/06/for-my-children.html
glass pitcher can be purchased here:
http://www.montessoriservices.com/glass-pitcher-with-lid?q=G274&main_page=index&cPath=4423_114_208_1502
quenching thirst, montessori style:
http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2010/09/quenching-thirst-montessori-style.html
I’m not sure if everyone is familiar with Montessori, the religious ed program at my church, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, is Montessori based… some of the basic concepts are: a place for everything & everything in it’s place, don’t do for the child what the child can do for himself…
Just thought you might like to know

I second the shop vac.  I use it after dinner bc my kids make a mess, and I’ve ruined three vacuum cleaners!

I do that too! It works really well for us. I keep meaning to do the pre-packaging of snacks. But, have never gotten around to it.

Color code your kids. Assign each one a color and use that color for them for plates, bowls, and cups. Easy for them to keep track and easy for parents to serve things. Older children get served more than younger, etc. Makes life easier.