I use hardware to keep track of things. I use the ReadyDate nuc calenders from Betterbee and some stick pins. You could also use the HiveMinder cards.
Bricks aren't a bad system either. Flat, running front to back, the hive is fine. From there you can assign meanings to, on edge from to back, on edge side to side, flat side to side, and on end.
With more bricks you can do even more signals.