Check that one off

You love me, right? No matter what? Nothing could ever come between us? And I mean NOthing?

Ok. Please remember that.

 I moved the computer upstairs to the living room last week so the sick and afflicted could watch movies on the couch. Then I couldn't bear to bring it back down to it's equivalent of a mud wallow.

 I especially like the bottle of baby sunblock on the desk. You know, I'm just trying to be prepared. In case I need some while I'm blogging! In my basement! In February! Maybe I thought it would prevent the red cheeks I'm getting from posting these embarrassing photos.

So I cleaned it up. I sorted, I tossed, I filed, I carried upstairs, I dusted (what?), I brought the computer back.

 Doesn't Mac look happy in his improved abode?
There is still a milk crate of DVD's on the floor there. I'm in search of a solution for those. We own about.... 25 movies, so it's not a big deal - but that doesn't mean they can live in a crate on my floor. All in all, not a huge home improvement project - but I'm breathing easier anyway.

Speaking of embarrassing, I almost posted this photo of Jonah running by in his undies:

but thought better of it. Because his undies are on backwards.

It begins

We were all packed to go to Eden today, but the weather scared us into staying home. When we were done mourning our loss, we dug into the kitchen drawers/cabinets in search of the dark and mysterious somethings which were lurking within. 

Then Tess called and said that she and her kiddos were so sad that we weren't coming, so could they come visit us? 

So not only are we getting our cousin fix, but we accomplished some things at home as well! 

Didn't I tell you I would have helpers?

 Helpers Galore.
The cookie cutters did not actually need organizing. But they got it.

 There were three spaces that got overhauled today. It didn't cost a smidgen, just time. I didn't have to buy any organizational stuff - I just got rid of stuff!

 Look at this cupboard! I call this clean. This space didn't used to have space, and now it does. And I feel like I can breathe now.

And take this drawer - it was plastic lids and containers gumbo yesterday.

Now it has these in it, and I love them. Thank you Costco, I love you too.

I couldn't have done it without the moral support provided by this one.

Tomorrow's project: The computer desk.
If I don't come out in a few days, send reinforcements.

Go to the mattresses

I have never seen The Godfather, but I have seen You've Got Mail, so I feel qualified to use that phrase as my post title. Here endeth my reasoning.

I have three very small people living in my house. While these small people are more apt to make messes than clean them up, they're starting to pull their weight a little more lately.

 Unloading the dishwasher, for example. It might take 45 minutes to put the dishes away, but I am totally kosher with that.
They have their little job charts too, but still our house cleanliness occasionally gets behind.

Ok, not occasionally. Often. "It wasn't us!"

I feel like I am at war with junk. I can't believe the amount of stuff that enters our home every day.

The main areas of the house have been staying nicer than usual - the areas that people might see should they enter the front door. But other places?

This is supposed to be a toothbrush drawer. 

*shudder*

If it makes you feel any better at all, this is the worst spot. But there are others, my friend. Many others.

Which is why I am declaring WAR on those places! War on the junk! War on the pile of mail that needs to be sorted! War on the socks with holes! War on the dust!

Ok maybe not on the dust. It's an old friend of mine and I'd feel lost without it. 

One of my friends recently did a house cleanse and blogged her whole way through it. I'm inspired. And I'm obviously not afraid to post embarrassing photos.

 I'll have plenty of help too, which should be half the fun.

Feel free to follow along in your own homes, should you so desire. I like to get my spring cleaning done before spring actually comes, cause who wants to be inside working with all that fresh green stuff outside?

Faux pas

My SIL called me a few days ago in a state of mortification (due to some normal behavior by her 2 year old in a public place) and once the embarrassment wore off we had a lovely laugh. Mostly because it was funny, and also because I could totally relate. 

Kids are the ultimate instructors when it comes to humility. 

Like this one when Emmy was two:

We were at the zoo. It was a busy day. And as we walked, her diaper fell off and got stuck around her ankles.
Being the sensitive Mother that I am, I took a few pictures before helping.

Mind you, her diaper fell off because it was too heavy for her no-hips to hold up any more. I was the best Mother ever.
The passersby were stifling laughter.

Diana's phone call reminded me of this event, and we were able to laugh heartily at the things our kids do that keep us sane. It's funny how the things that make you the craziest also manage to keep things real. If you worry about every faux pas, you'll miss out on the good things. You have to laugh at this stuff. You just have to.

Measuring up

When ever Caleb comes up with a project that he "might need Jonah's help with," Jonah drops everything and grabs his tools. Literally. 

You can't correctly use the word 'literally' when describing something very often, but in this case it fits.

For this project, the handy-dandy measuring tape was needed. It's possibly the cutest thing he received for Christmas this year.

Claire's jealous.

 It's a funny thing to watch when Jonah goes to get his tools. He tries hard not to show that he's feeling like the most important boy in the world because his Daddy wants to play with him - there's only the determined look of a little man off to do his duty. He looks at least two inches taller when he strides off too, which is hilarious.
"Ok Dad, I'll grab my hammer and see you in the garage."

Caleb is attempting to raise a man who will Preside, Provide, and Protect, and I couldn't be happier.

 "Wait Mom, what about me? I'm helping too!"

"Plus I look exactly like my Dad, so I get bonus points."

The item of creation was a measuring board. I've been keeping track of their heights sporadically on bits of paper here and there, which is less effective.
They get to be measured on their birthdays, and also their half birthdays (if I remember).

Emmy was the first mark on the board! Fairy dress-up with uhmmm... fairy hair... and all. I love the strain to be as tall as possible.

 Three feet, four inches. Not bad, little lady.

Now I'm going to hunt up all of those stray bits of paper with heights scribbled on them and add them to the board. Maybe.

V-Day B-Day #5

Good morning sleepy face, and Happy Birthday.

I loved you first. 

I'm sorry that you're my little guinea pig child. Hopefully you'll turn out alright.

 And sorry about those super cute fuzzy pink boot slippers that I got you that were too small. I forgot that you were big. I'm not in denial.
Thank you for graciously and promptly forgiving me. "It's ok, Mom, I'll just give them to Lainey."

 At least the shirt was a hit.

And if that hadn't smoothed things over, this party would have!
For all my failings, I can throw a swingin' valentine's day birthday party.

 I've had 5 years of practice now.

Although one little gal, upon entering the front door remarked "I've never been to your house before!!!" and after glancing around for a minute offered a "huh."

Then during the valentine making, I heard a "Look at these sparkly stickers! They're almost as sparkly as my eyes."

 We had to bend the rules a little bit and invite 6 friends to the party. Usually we only invite as many friends as your new age - but when you have 6 best friends how can you choose which one to not invite? You don't, that's what.

 I assumed that they would want to make valentine's for their Daddy's, but they only wanted to make them for each other. It was really adorable - the glitter and doilies were flying amid girlie little voices spelling out their own names for each other.

 I love messes. Especially gluey stickery doily tapey crepey markery foam shapey crayony ones.

We also played a killer round of pin-the-horn-on-the-unicorn.

 Thankfully no one actually got it in the right spot, so everyone won!

I'm afraid of competition.

Jonah was amazingly at ease with all the females in the house.
Not sure if that's good or not. We'll go with good.

 Poor thing never did get a horn.

Present time was interesting to observe. I am amazed at how much these little girls have all matured in the last year. Five is really very different than four. 

 They were all so excited for Emmy - they just couldn't wait for her to open the gifts they had brought her. There was no wanting to play with/keep the gift themselves, as in years past.

 The more she opened, the closer they crowded in. They were all sitting within a three-foot square by the time it was all over.

Then there was a "Are we getting candy at this party?"
Jayne: "No, we don't really do a lot of candy at our house."
The sarcastic reply: "Oh. I bet your daughter loves that."
To which I had a hearty chuckle.

I think the cake made up for her disappointment.

 Thank you very much.

 It was a raging success.

And was reduced to this in a matter of minutes. Which was awesome.
All in all, happiness reigned. They all went home happy, and without major incident.

We only sustained one fatality!

And she came back to life a few hours later, so no biggie.

Jonah's observation #2

Sitting at dinner tonight, after his first bite Jonah looks over at Jayne and says:
"Best. Mom. Ever.  Love you mommy."

What was that noise?

My Mom bought me a violin for Christmas... how many years ago, Mom? Five? About five years ago. 

I took it out of it's case once, and it looked at me with it's perfect delicateness and scared me half to death. So I put it back in said case and there it sat on top of my bookshelf for about five years doing nothing to benefit mankind but collect the dust that would have otherwise settled somewhere else.

Not any more.

I'm taking violin lessons. 

I'm not an old dog, but I'm a Mom. Very comparable as far as brain cells go. Teaching me a new trick is proving difficult, but my adorable-to-the-max 13 year old teacher just happens to have patience to match her adorableness. 

The first few lessons went great - nothing dangerous besides a spasmodic pinky finger which eventually remedied itself. I was feeling pretty good! Quite impressed with myself, honestly. 

Then last week she wanted me to play new notes. 

I knew which string was which, but playing new notes was a whole different ballgame. You yell out any 'ol note and I will whip it out on the piano in no time. But the violin? You want me to play what note? Are you sure that note exists on my violin?

I could relate with this plane. 

It probably started out it's ride quite nicely too. 

I promised to practice. And practice I have. And I'm shocked that my house doesn't resemble these by now:

But still I am undaunted. Okay just kidding, I'm seriously daunted. But not completely without hope. I shall carry on. Someday lovely music will burst forth when my bow touches the strings.

 Until then, pray for me. And my marriage.

A Foreign Affair

Last weekend, whilst JoJo and Tess and kids were visiting, we ordered Chinese take-out.

 We really enjoy a good homemade veggie stir-fry with brown rice at our house, but this was totally different.

 One major difference being that we usually eat with forks.

 Which doesn't require this level of concentration.

 And you definitely can't make a rice-icle with long grain brown rice.

Another difference: when a fork is used, the food usually goes from the plate to the mouth. Not so with chop sticks.

 Although a little bit did find it's way there.

The rest of it ended up on the floor.

Which really wasn't a big deal - we just let Claire loose and it was cleaned up in no time.

No worries, I had recently mopped. That week. Sometime.