flybabies April 1st

Heidi, Disney sounds like so much fun!! Glad you had a good time. I hope we get to go someday.

Andrea, of course he likes the Paula Deen food. Who wouldn't with all that butter! LOL! But I just can't cook her too often. It goes right to the waist line. And I'm dying to lose 10 pounds before summer. If only I would get off my butt and exersize!

I did a couple more zone chores yesterday (windows) and had to vacuum again (looks like the kids had a popcorn fight with the little bits and unpopped stuff). The girls and I are getting ready for church (the DH and boys have decided to stay home, which is perfectly fine with me. Their decision was told by their inability to get out of bed. LOL!).

It's supposed to hit 80 today. I'm hoping I can work on the calf pen and chicken house/pen today. Would love to get that out of the way so we can get the animals here.

Good Morning!

TADA
morning routine
DS off to school

PODA
DD off to school
read paper
dog to vet
funeral
buy and mail sympathy cards
couple calls
sort mail
dinner
homework
reading

Family friend's mother passed away Friday unexpectedly,only 67 years old.

Did you get the pens set up Jenny?

Watched Pursuit of Happyness last night and cried my eyes out. Anyone else see it?

Better run.....

Heidi

Heidi, I want to see that! Sorry about your friend's mother. And no, I didn't get the pens up! DH ended up going out to plow and I didn't want to deal with the kids down by the corrals by myself.

And I don't know when I will get to the pens. My MIL had surgery today (hestorectomy? not sure if that is the spelling or not). My SIL, who is a nurse, is staying at the hospital with her, and I took her kids. So I have a house full (DD9, DD7, DS4, DNephew4, DS16months and DNiece22months). Plus a friend is coming over for dinner (Lion's club for the men) and will be bringing her 22month old girl and 3yearoldson. Can you say insane? LOL! I don't mind the friend coming over. She is about the only adult conversation I ever get anymore. We just turn the kids loose and hope for the best.

No flying. If I survive it will be a miracle. If the house survives without caving in on itself, it will be amazing. LOL!

Good luck with that Jenny! Wow.

That is a shame about your friend's Mom Heidi. Too young. By the way, I am reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan right now. I think you would like it a lot - very good. It is a book club book for me.

We had a bomb threat today at school. A prank of course, as 99.99% of them are but we have to treat it seriously. So...I lost a couple of hours of work time. Bummer.

Rented a SECOND apartment for my parents. The first one fell through b/c I realized there was a smoker in the house (landlord's mother). To make a long story short, we got out of it (my Dad has had lung cancer in the past - not a smoker) and went to a retirement complex. They have rented there before and it is nice. Anyway, I'm ok with it all, but it has been a lot of running around.

OK, back on topic.

Flying:
dw emptied this am
laundry done and put away
cleaned bathroom mirror (pathetic I know)
tidied
made a healthy and delicious dinner
all family relationships intact

That's about it!!
Andrea

I played over the weekend, and now I have to get to work. The house is being repiped this week, so I have to tidy everywhere -- they will be getting into lots of places I don't usually let people go!

You found us Lois!! Well that sounds like a good reason to do some flying to me!

I checked in on Flylady's site which I rarely do. Does she not recommend spring cleaning? I don't have the time to search, but I am thinking she doesn't. She is more into maintaining your home week by week,zone by zone. I hope that's the case anyway, because I really don't look forward to it. Actually, it is mainly cleaning the walls that bugs me. I rarely, if ever, do that, but I know that my MIL, cleaner extraordinaire, does it every spring. I can handle windows, floors, dusting the corners and stuff like that.

Andrea

Good Morning!

Thanks for the expressions of sympathy guys.

Andrea- so funny you brought up cleaning walls. That is something I never heard of growing up. Only since I moved to the Midwest have I heard of it. And you know what it's origin is? Back when homes were heated by smoky coal that left residue on the walls. If you don't heat your home that way then no need to wash them down. Just use Magic Eraser on scuff marks here and there,no need making crazy work for yourself!

PODA

morning routine
kids off to school
walk with neighbor
read paper
shower and dress
bank deposit
library
buy Easter candy for baskets and hide it!
lunch
sort mail
vacuum main floor
couple calls
dinner
homework
reading

DD will be 6 the end of the month so need to plan for our extended family bday party. I will bring cupcakes into her class on her bday as is what most parents do here. But we have a family party at home. I think next year will be when she starts asking for a friends party as that is the age when all the kids start having parties at various places. I dread that! Not into loud crowded party places, oh well, maybe we can have a low key type party....like an animal program or something in the backyard.

Jenny-did you survive all the kids?? Hope so. Sorry about your MIL surgery,hope she is doing well. It's about a 6 week recovery period I think??

Well, better get the day officially started

Heidi

Morning All -

Heidi, that is a big load off my back to get permission from you not to wash walls! Sometimes they do look kind of dusty, but I think maybe I could just go around with my swiffer or swiffer duster to get the dust off and then go around with the Magic Eraser. OF course, I have no idea when I will do this. Maybe during spring break (starts Friday). I also need to do our taxes though.

Well, I'm at work so best get busy -
Have a great day!
Andrea

I lived. So did the house! LOL!

Andrea, my MIL cleans her walls every now and then, but I refuse to do so. It's hard enough doing the floor and surfaces. LOL!

Heidi, I haven't started doing the kids over birthday thing yet, either. I don't think I have the patience. Wish we had some Libby Lu place or something like that around.

Got all 6 kids up and dressed, fed, loaded in the suburban, and dropped 3 off at school. The other three are here and so far, not really getting along that well. LOL! I'm going to keep myself busy today and off the computer. Much to do. Can't decide but I should go to Clovis and visit MIL. I would like to take her some flowers or something for her room. But not sure I really want to deal with all the kids out again. LOL! Easier to just stay home.

Still chugging along.

TADA
didn't strangle DS16 for getting an in-school suspension
dishes
shiny sink
laundry re-boot
made French toast for everyone for breakfast

PODA
property tax bill to the accountant
rebate check to the bank
track practice 3-5
re-boot laundry again
dinner: grilled turkey tenderlion, spinach, and rice pilaf
book club meeting

The boys have made 4 gallons of maple syrup so far this year, and the flavor is amazing. Hence the French toast this morning. Yum.

Book Club book this month was The Memory Keeper's Daughter. Sad, but good. I loves Snow Flower too Andrea. Next up for me is The Time Traveler's Wife. I tried it once, but couldn't get into it. Several people have said it's worth sticking with, so I'll try again.

OK, off to get to it!
Ciao,
-Jo

Well, got all Easter candy purchased and hidden. Bought several outfits and a pink fishing pole for Dniece bday. Checked out bike prices at a few stores for DDalmost6 bday as well. Will have DH go back to pick it up closer to her bday.

DD is reading pretty well and we have started checking out first readers at the library in addition to what she brings home from school. For Kindergarteners they sure have a full curriculum. Do any of you have a district that pushes telling time,adding coins, counting by 2's,5's etc past 100 and backwards,writing journal entries and knowing 50 plus sight words, on and on and on...seems a bit much to me but not to my kid. If she were struggling with it I guess I would question it. Just seems so much to me though,but we have a district that is one of the top in the state and region so I guess it is par for the course.

Better run,bus is due any minute!

Heidi

Jenny, have you tried making playdough to keep the young'uns busy?

That is a stretch for K Heidi. Even in NY. To me, that is more late 1st, early 2nd grade material. If she is handling it, that's great. I feel badly for the rest though! Now, where is the candy hidden now? In a closet or something? I am trying to figure out this whole E.B. thing with one believer and one non-believer!

Hi Jo! We also read the Memory Keeper's Daughter - my DH read it. We both agreed it reads like a book written by a woman, even though it is not. Very good and though provoking. Just finished Snow Flower - loved it!! I have nothing going right now. What cut of turkey do you buy for your grilled turkey tenderloin? I guess that is the cut? Why have I not been aware of this? Hmmmm.

Flying.
Washed two windows.
Cleaned out front closet
Regular maintenance: laundry, dinner, dishes, vacuumed, spent time on phone with Dyson guy and our county clerk regarding deed issues - blah!

I still haven't done our taxes!! How terrible is that!

See you -
Andrea

Okay I have fawned over my dh enough now it is time to get back to work for real!

today was not much to speak of but

TADA:s
Did 7 yes SEVEN (go me!) loads of laundry
cleaned my bathroom
made my bed
picked up in my bedroom

My sister moved into the house across the courtyard this past week after her mini wedding to the guy in my DH's unit so I have helped with that too.

Jennye I feel your pain my sister has 3+ one on the way and now she lives so close those 3 come visit quite a bit wich puts me at 8 under 9 years old! My house weeps! Glad you made it.
Looking forward to a flying tommorow!
everyone blow hard so I can get back up!

hugs ladies

p.s. did becky come back yet?

Day three and we are still alive. LOL!

Lois, thanks for the suggestion. But I don't do playdough. LOL! Too messy for me. And we can't do stuff like that outside because the dog will be right in the middle of it all (he jumps the fences). I'm a horrible artsy person. I cannot stand the feel of construction paper or of dried paint. But we are coping. LOL!

SIL came over for a little bit last night. I ended up running to town yesterday to buy another mattress and put the top bunk together in the boys room. Ran to town again today because I got notes from teachers last night about Easter parties and what I needed to bring. And of course I forgot about stuff I need for Easter Sunday to make for our big family gathering, so somewhere I will have to squeeze that in, too.

Anyway, today I got Easter candy and stuff (dropped Dnephew off at the tractor with DH for an hour so I could do that without a child knowing what I was doing. Still had the babies though). I'll be lucky if the candy makes it to Sunday. LOL! I love candy! I have SOOOO much laundry to do (SIL packed Dniece lots of overall dresses and stuff, but only 2 shirts!), other cleaning to do. There is no light at the end of the tunnel today. So I need to get off this thing and dig in.

Good Afternoon!

TADA
morning routine
kids off to school
read paper
couple calls
dropped off donation
paid a bill
consignor's
visited Mom
lunch
sorted mail

PODA
bring Chinese over to SIL and bday gift
homework
reading
bath DD

Jenny- how long will all the kids be staying with you? Your SIL owes you big time! She better take all of yours soon for a couple days. Have you ever had the entire house kid free for a day or so?

Hope everyone is well.

Heidi

The good news is that the plumber is here working on remodeling the bathroom.

The bad news is that we didn't want a remodeled bathroom.

Because of the shoddy work the last guy did putting in a shower, he had to tear out everything because it leaked inside the walls. There is nothing left but a mirror on the wall and the tile floor.

Day 4. Still alive. Barely. Dniece and Drew slept with me last night. Most the night they were either alternating cries or crying at the same time. I SOOOOO need a vacation! LOL! The mail lady at the post office said I look really tired. Gee, thanks!

Heidi, I had a kid free hour or two at home about 2 years ago when I was pregnant with Drew. That's the last time I can remember.

I got four loads of laundry done yesterday (and mopped up the laundry room because the washer machine decided to overflow again. Cutoff valve doesn't work sometimes, gotta keep a closer eye on it). Kitchen cleaned up after dinner (speghetti). FOund all the Easter baskets, eggs and filled a ton of them for todays parties at school. Veggee tray cut up for party today. Cleaned up the living room when big kids went to bed (but then DH came home after I went to bed and trashed it, then left before I woke up without picking anything up). And most of this is done carrying Dniece (22 months old) because she won't let me put her down. DS4 fell off the bunkbed (wrestling with Dnephew). It's a madhouse here!

Need to fold more of the laundry (last load from last night). Pack the two kids things because they might go to their mama tonight (please, lord!).

Ok, she is screaming again. Now what.

Oh, and what was up with AI last night! How could Gina have been voted off and why is Sanjaya still there! Something is wrong, very wrong.

Hey All -

Jenny, I feel your pain.I don't know if I could do what you are doing.

HI Lois - hope all is well with the br remodel.

Hi Heidi!

Today is the start of my spring break - yay! Much needed - I am beat and have a lot of chores to do over the break. We had two bomb threats (pranks of course) this last week plus one a few weeks back. So my schedule has been disrupted at work. Yes, I know the homeschoolers are saying "See!" right about now!

Anyway, this is a rough outline of my week:
taxes
clothes
windows
neighboring town for 2 errands
furniture for parents
fix bike
figure out summer vacation
oil change

Wish m luck -
Andrea

Good Evening!

TADA
morning routine
kids off to school
read paper
short walk with neighbor
dog to vet
cable guy
lunch
sorted mail
folded 2 loads clothes
TOOK A NAP!!
dinner
reading no homework
DD bathed

I hardly ever nap, that is why it is such a big deal.

Andrea-I don't see anything fun planned in that week off, don't neglect that important part of break too!

jenny-I definitely don't have the stamina for all that childcare. Did SIL rake them back today?

Well, time to tuck DD in, see ya in the morning

Heidi

Good Morning!

No school til Tuesday...

PODA
morning routine
read paper
walk with neighbor
DS haircut
pick up rent check and deposit
mail a couple bills
lunch
sort mail
put away laundry
vacuum main and top floor
dinner
reading
board game or movie night

Left dog at vet yesterday, she managed to pop her stitches and had to be resewn. So more after care needed again( trips to vet,antibiotics 3 times a day, no stairs,etc etc) Poor thing.

Easter egg hunt in the snow here. It won't be too hard for DD to find brightly colored plastic eggs against a total background of white!!! LOL

Have a good one.

Heidi

SIL left a few minutes ago with her children. Yay! So sweet though, Dnephew didn't want to leave til I got up "because Aunt Jenny might think I got lost", and Dniece wanted me to carry her around some more. My boys are still asleep, the girls are awake and it is so peaceful!

Now that I'm down to four kids, I feel like things are a piece of cake and I should and can get some cleaning done. LOL! I guess because the 4 year olds (Nitro and Glycerin) aren't demolishing everything in their path and I'm scrambling trying to clean up after them! LOL!

Heidi, ya remember how I was bragging that it was in the 80s here the other day. Well, forecast says we will have snow tonight on into Sunday! LOL! Ya never know what it's going to do in New Mexico!

So sorry about your dog ripping out her stitches! Ouch!

I'm going to try to rake this house out some, but I think for the most part, I'm going to sit and read and enjoy some quiet time (well, with 4 kids. No school today, because we just don't do Fridays! LOL!).

I am painting. That is all.

So, SIL left about 7:30 with her kids. About 10, FIL came by with them! OH NO! Ok, what happened was MIL is getting discharged today, but it would be a couple hours to fill her perscriptions. So, FIL took the kids with him, checked sprinklers, and didn't know what else to do with them. So, since we are on the way home, decided I hadn't gotten my fill of them. Yeah. I think the real problem was that he could since Dniece was going to have a poopy diaper and he doesn't do diapers (no, not at all. Not even when his kids were babies). He won't even touch a CLEAN diaper, much less a dirty one. And sure enough, 10 minutes after they got here, she needed a diaper change. And I did it.

But after an hour, they left. And all is well and quiet again with my 4. And I still haven't done anything but read my new Thimbleberry quiltbook and Paula Deen cookbook and memoirs I got yesterday in the mail.

Lois, sorry about all the work! Hope the plumbers got it right this time.

I see your unplanned bathroom remodel and raise you by one kitchen ceiling which has to be cut open to get to the leaking pipe in the bathroom above.

Right there with ya, babe!

Lenora

Yikes! I got to mine before the pipes in the ceiling began to leak! I don't feel so bad now.

Well, it snowed! It's frickin' April and it snowed. Well, at least I didn't jump the gun with all of our 80 degree days and plant stuff. LOL! I know better to wait til May 1st.

Just maintaining today. Need to do some baking for tomorrow, color eggs, maybe make some cookies. Don't think we will join in for the big family dinner and have a small one with just MIL, FIL, and SIL's family (rather than the big 75-100 people dinner with FIL's brothers and sisters and families). MIL just won't be up to going anywhere I don't think. Maybe we can swing by the big family thing for the easter egg hunt later.

Can't believe my girls' pretty sleeveless Easter dresses are going to be covered up by heavy coats. ARG!

Good Afternoon!

TADA
morning routine
read paper
DS to ortho
Subway for lunch
vegged by TV

PODA
color eggs
assemble baskets and hide
dinner
movie night

Won't do the baskets til kids in bed tonight. Need to do 2 for mine and 2 for cousins.

Jenny- I hear ya on the pretty Easter dresses. DD will have to wear a white long sleeved blouse under her sleeveless dress...oh well.

I wished the clerk at Subway a Merry Xmas today and she didn't quite get it! We have over a foot of snow here. Tomorrow afternoon we go to DH aunt's for the family thing in the afternoon. Then Monday the kids have dental checkups, ironically right after Easter with all that candy but they are both due and are off from school.

Happy Easter!!

Heidi

Hey Everyone-

A foot! My gosh - we just have a dusting. It has been snowing and blowing all day. Yuk! I am SO ready for spring.

I've gotten quite a bit done today, including cut and color for me. Decorated sugar cookies with DD - eggs - they turned out really cute. Washed two windows and started taxes.

Hope everyone has a nice day tomorrow!
Andrea

Good Morning!

PODA
morning routine
read paper
dog to vet for check up
pick up friend to play at our house
lunch
sort mail
drop off friend
take DD and DS to dentist
dinner
reading
DD bath

Easter was quite different this year. With 2 feet of snow it really didn't feel like Spring! The Easter Bunny left baskets at the front door for the kids though and I made carrot cake to take to the family thing at DH aunt's. Hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter or Sunday,whichever the case may be.

See ya!

Heidi

Morning Heidi -
I think I'm going to start a new thread for this week
Andrea