Cleaning

I can always sit and watch someone else do the cleaning

Can't you??

Flying By......!

Time really does fly by when you are having fun.
Just read on my dashboard that I last posted on July 23, geez that was almost 4 weeks ago, life must have been good.

Life is good actually.

The family have suddenly discovered the joy of actually helping around the house and therefore having time to themselves.
For the last 2 weekends the boys have happily helped with what ever chores need completing, this has then been reflected in the fact that we all get to spend Sunday doing what ever we want.
Sitting around watching movies, reading books, filling the lounge floor with train track or lego.

Guilt free I have managed to sit and read a book and not worry that washing needs folding and put away or vacuuming done, cause it has all been finished and completed by the whole family.

However I am not holding my breath over how long this may last!
But if there is any one up there listening to my prayers.....then please help me to make this last at least a few more weeks.

Works For Me

HOW TO CLEAN THE HOUSE

1. Open a new file in your PC.

2. Name it "Housework."

3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN.

4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN.

5. Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want to delete Housework permanently?"

6. Calmly answer, "Yes" and press mouse button firmly.....

7. Feel better?

Works for me!

Now this type of housework I like, I wish everything was this simple to get rid of!

Being Helpful

Both of the boys have decided that they want to help in the kitchen.

Now there are certain meals that this works nicely with. Fish Fingers and Mac Cheese for instance, Alex gets the fish fingers out and puts them on the oven tray and Ben can whip up a great Mac Cheese from the packet.



Back in August, I went to a fundraiser that my committee of Parents Centre organised, we got The Destitute Gourmet to come and do a cooking demonstration. It was a wonderful night had by all, 3 hours of Sophie showing you how to make some basic meals, and get to taste them at the end. Being on the committee that organised all of this I was lucky enough (I think) to spend the evening in the kitchen helping Sophie. I learnt a lot.


Anyway, she showed us how to make pizza dough and then to cook the pizza. She talked a lot about getting the kids involved, especially with the dough making part. So that is what I did.
Now you don't do this when you are rushed, so it needs to be planned. You also don't worry about the mess, flour goes everywhere, but hey the kids are getting in there. (I will try and remember to post the recipe for you all to use, so easy)
This is only the 2nd time we have done this now, but Alex was so into this, he loved kneeding the dough and giving it a really good roughing up!

So if you have kids, even as young as 2, then plan to make your own pizza one night. The kids will love making the dough and then decorating their pizza, putting it in the oven and then eating it. Alex is half dressed due to the mess of flour going everywhere.

Now the other area they like to be helpful is in the cleaning department, well they try.
Alex has an obsession with the vacuum cleaner. He is always asking for it and if he can get his hands on it will play for ages with it, even though it is not turned on!
Maybe I can get him into walls and windows next!

Sick Car

So here we are running all over the house on Sunday morning, trying to get it looking ok for the open home. Our hearts are really not in it and the boys are driving us mad.
We have got the Real Estate people coming at 10.30 with the new owners who want to do their building inspection prior to the open home and at 9.30 I am ready to cancel the whole thing.
I have got ants running up the wall in the kitchen, seems there is something they like about the kitchen window which is attracting them in droves, wish I knew what it was as the place is spotless and they seem to be out looking for stuff rather than actually finding anything and sending out the troops.

I can't believe we manage to pull it off, but only just, I am still on my hands and knees cleaning the floor as they arrive to inspect the place.
So while I finish off Steve puts the boys in the car ready for us to just nip to the supermarket for the little things we have forgotten for the party today.
All ready and set to go, we say bye and jump in the car.
Real shame the car doesn't actually want to go anywhere!!!

So there we are, someone walking up the driveway to see the house and us sat in the garage cursing the car.
So plan 2 comes into action.
Again I jump into Grandma's car with a child and go to the supermarket and yet again Steve calls the Roadside Rescue and waits for them to come and visit us.

Out arrives the same man as last night, who then apologises for not checking properly the night before. Does the little check he should have done yesterday and annouces that sadly we need a new battery.
Funny thing is this doesn't shock us, as there is something about the car that hasn't seemed right for a week or 2, but with the service due next month we just thought it was getting ready for a good tune up.

All this and then it starts to rain! Wouldn't mind except we are meant to be going on a train ride this afternoon.