I've Figured It Out!

I have very often wished that my house were a lot cleaner and more organized than it is. But it isn't - and most likely will not be for the next 10 or 15 years.

Why?

Simple - I have 3 small children. (And some days, like today, I have 5 small children.)

Can I really blame it on them? Yes, I do feel justified in doing that. Sure, I have my lazy days and moments, but even on days, like today, when I had a big job to do (see previous post!) and was very motivated to do it, it just takes FOREVER! Like 3 times longer than it should!

After breakfast, the kids will either watch a movie or, days like today when it is so beautiful out, they go outside and play. Once they are all settled, happily doing whatever it is they are doing, I get busy. But the quiet and happiness never lasts for more than 5 or 10 minutes.

Soon someone is whining or crying about something. Someone has hit someone. Someone fell down and needs lots of kisses to make it better. Someone has to go potty. Someone is hungry, needs a drink, has some very important question to ask that requires my full, undivided attention. Someone needs Something!

And so whatever it is I am doing, stops. It is put on hold until later, sometimes much, much later.

Today would be a good example of that. When I got up, my #1 priority today was to get the laundry done. I was SO excited to do laundry today because it meant I could use my new clothesline for the very first time! I was ECSTATIC!! But then there was a little fiasco while cooking breakfast and so that got pushed to #2 priority. I think from start to finish, it took me about 2 hours to clean the stove - way too long if you ask me. But between all the little interruptions, that was the best I could do.

I have managed to get 4 loads of laundry washed. 3 of those loads are even hung, but don't get me wrong. There were lots of interruptions and about 3 too many helpers, so excited to see how to use the clothesline, that hanging those 3 loads took me about twice as long as it should have.

And just a short while ago, after lunch, the kids were all playing nicely and happily so I decided to sneak away for a few minutes and do a bit of blogging. Not halfway thru my previous post, I hear a little scream and decided I'd better go check it out. I was met at the top of the stairs by a white, powdery substance all over the landing, an opened diaper bag nearby. I headed down the hall, noticing another white powdery mess. I followed the voices into Gabriella & Tabitha's room. White powder sprinkled all over the floor, all over Gabriella's pink sheets. Sprinkled in Tabitha's hair and on her hands and an almost completely white little 22 month old named Tycee that I babysit. UGH! And in the middle of it all, Gabriella and William sitting doing a puzzle.

Gabriella looked up at me. "Mom, Tabitha is getting that all over everything!" Really? Gee, Thanks for letting me know!

I wish now that I had taken a picture of Tabitha and Tycee - these 2 little partners in crime. I tried brushing out Tycee's hair to get all the baby powder out - no good - it was still completely white - like she was a little midget grandma. Off went her clothes and in she went to the tub. I quickly sprayed her off, shampooed her hair and she was clean again. She loved her little shower! Tabitha, I knew, would not have been near that easy. She would have been screaming at the thought of having water running down her face, not laughing like Tycee was. And since she wasn't near that bad either, she just went to bed.

Things are quiet and peaceful now - for the moment. Maybe if I hurry I can get 1/2 of my last load of laundry hung to dry!