"Real" men aren't afraid to tackle the dishes!

{smile}

Housework...Not So Perfectly Done!

Happy Thursday Everyone! How about this weather fellow Floridians? :) Hot, cold, hot, cold...yadda, yadda, yadda. Those of use who's wardrobes contain mostly flip flops and short-sleeved shirts have been COLD this winter. I'm ready for normalcy again. Can I get a "here, here!"?

Anyway, the topic today...bum, bum, bum...HOUSEWORK.

Here's how I roll on this topic. Is my house perfectly clean? Does my refrigerator stay finger-print free at all times? Do my toilets shine and sparkle? Do my floors glisten in the sun? Um. NO! Is it something that I'm ashamed of? NO. On the right-hand side of my site, there are GOALS for daily chores. Does this mean everything gets done. Heck no. It is a goal. I have a four-year-old, a two-year-old, and two infants that I oversee each day. The only child that is capable of producing a somewhat good outcome on chores is my four-year-old, but she's four. She has her morning chores licked and can do them in approximately 15 minutes. Right now, we're working on feeding the chickens. That takes a little extra time. We usually do that together. My two-year-old has just started consistently doing his own chore chart. He has 5 simple chores in the morning...eat breakfast and take plate to the counter, brush hair, brush teeth, get dressed and make bed. I help him with his chores and making the bed is something that only a four-year-old can really start doing, but we've started it with him to make it a habbit in our house. Those that have older children have more capable helpers and may be able to get more done in a day. Right now, it's solely me. Rob does help out with doing dinner dishes and helping with the kids' baths and getting ready for bed, but he can only do so much because he's not the one at home with the kids during the day.

In terms of other housework, like I said, I have goals. There are days when it's Friday and laundry has managed to stick around. Dishes never seem to dissappear from the sink. Not every piece of dust or dog hair will be invisable and off furniture or our floor. It's just impossible. Lately, I have juggled some things around and have tried to do more cleaning on certain days and keep other days for learning outings or activities (the park, open gymnastics, errands, etc.). I've also enjoyed keeping baking and food prep. to one or two days a week and doing it all on just those days. So, I guess I'm contimplating rearranging my chore days.

I also do feel as though there are busy days when you just need a "lunch break". A moment to crash on the couch, sit in God's presence and just pray. Moments to read your Bible is a must. I'm not a morning person. I've tried waking up early and running before, but I do struggle with being consistent. I've never regretted waking up early and running, but lately, it just hasn't happend.

I think it's funny when people ask, "How do you manage to get it all done?" I'm assuming they mean keep up with four little ones, gardening, chickens, housework and a blog. Simple really. I do what I can do and that's it. My kids come first during the day. It is my job to educate them and love on them and that's my first priority. Then come the chores and then the extra projects. At night, when the kids are in bed, it's Rob's and my time together. Ahh, bliss. Throughout all of the mayhem, I'm talking with my Lord and Savior during the day as I'm frustrated, excited, happy, sad, angry and low on patience. Most days, I do get in some Bible reading and quiet time. Life happens. Interruptions happen and I do find that days I don't get time in prayer with God, I struggle more. I'm a work in progress. What can I say?

It's interesting because Rob and I were talking last night about how if I waited until the house was perfectly clean all the time, no projects would ever get done (and we are definately 'project people')!!! We wouldn't have a garden. We wouldn't have chickens. We wouldn't be able to do some of the fun projects and family activities that we like to do.

So with that being said, my house is not a perfectly clean castle that glistens 365 days a year.

If you come over, you may find peas smashed on my kitchen floor most days of the week. You will definately find Cheerios at some point. You will see smudges on my walls and dust on shelves.

I have attempted before to keep a 'perfect' house. I was so drained emotionally, physically and spiritually. I had no time to spend in quiet with the Lord. I was exhausted and moody. Like anything in life, you need balance. Balance is key.

It does excite me to know that I won't be the only one maintaining the chores all the time, forever. My children will get older. I will reap what I have sewn in training my children to do chores properly. There will come a day. The only problem is that on that day, when it happens, they may not want to be hugged as much, read to as much, tickled as much or even hold my hand. So, I think I'll keep some Cheerios on my floor, smudges on the walls, baby toys on the floor, etc., etc., etc. My babies won't be babies forever. (heart)

Now on to more laundry. :)

Why I Blog and The Laundry Fairy

Okay, so I'm not sure how many people check this blog, or even whom for that matter. I have a good idea from those that leave comments, but other than that, I'm pretty much clueless. =)

I look at my blog as a way of connecting with the 'outside world' when I'm home with my little guys. I also look at it as a way to journal what's on my heart and mind. Sometimes my entries come from things I'm rejoicing in, things I'm sad or frustrated about, things that touch my heart and I just have to share, or things that I feel God has laid on my heart to share.

I also enjoy keeping this blog because I LOVE to scrapbook and have one for each of my children to give to them as baby books when they're older. HOWEVER, as the Bates family has grown, my scrapbooking time diminishes. =( I can turn here though to find pictures, videos and entries about what's going on in our lives, at particular times in our lives. Then, I can go back into the scrapbooks and write in captions for photos, etc. The trick is not to let it go too long or my books get backed up. Still haven't finished Lincoln's just yet. I have a few pages left in his. I started Norah's, but only have 3 pages done (I think). I started a family album and have a few pages completed, but the rest of the photos sit in boxes awaiting their time to be placed where people can actually look at them. Am I sad about this? A bit because I do love doing it. It's where my creative side comes out, I destress and I think of my three blessings from God. However, I love my family more and would rather be reading to my kids, chatting about my day with my husband or making sure my family has a dinner to eat and clean clothes to put on their backs. (Hence, the scrapbooking gets put on the back burner.) I'm still waiting on the laundry fairy! If you've noticed in past posts, we have definately, officially, without a doubt, scared her off due to our neverending laundry pile! I'm guessing you all now know that laundry is my least favorite chore around the house, besides cleaning bathrooms. (Note to self...company coming in less than two weeks...get bathrooms scrubbed down!!!) =)

I saw this episode of 'Wife Swap' once where the family doesn't fold laundry. They empty the clean laundry out on a pool table (or was it their dining room table?) and when a member of the family needs clean laundry, they skip on down to the pool table and choose their clothing for the day. If I'm being honest, the thought HAS crossed my mind a time or two! Only problem, we don't have a pool table and we do eat as a family each night at our dining room table. Okay, so that one's out! (sigh) lol

Well, I guess it's back to the laundry (and some bathrooms...tee-hee). Have a fabulous Thursday everyone, even if it's rainy, humid and overcast. This is the day that the Lord has made!!

Weekly Cleaning Schedule Changes

I know that on my sidebar, I list my weekly household cleaning chores. However, I have re-thought out my cleaning and I think that I may use two days a week that I'm home more to do all the cleaning versus a few things each day. Sometimes, my cleaning gets pushed into my own quiet time while the kids are all napping (gotta love getting them on the same schedule!) and that's not cool. Yes, there are busy days when I do use my personal quiet time to get some things done around the house, but I also use my quiet time for devotions and prayer, making phone calls, small projects that I enjoy doing, just enjoying a book/magazine or taking a small cat-nap if needed. I would be lying if I said that each day goes like clockwork or that each day I do the same thing. It doesn't work that way when you have three little ones at home with you all day everyday. There is definately a goal of morning chores, homeschooling, outside play, lunch, naps, art, more outside play, clean up time and tv time while I make dinner, but it doesn't always happen that way. Especially during a holiday week or a time when Daddy can be home with us, we usually let cleaning and homeschool lax.

Anywho, this week I did the majority of my cleaning on two days alone and with the exception of my gigantic laundry pile (still waiting on that laundry fairy!), I really liked how it went. =) We shall see.

Wednesday...Much To Do About Nothing

Good Morning All!

It's the day before Thanksgiving and as I look around the house, I see lots of projects that I want to get done. Do you ever feel that way? The cleaning NEEDS to be done, but it's the projects that you WANT to do! That's always my case.

Here is my list of what NEEDS to be done today:

1. LAUNDRY (The laundry fairy never comes to my house. I think I have too much and it scares her away!)
2. dusting
3. clean out Avonlea's clothes and give some away to a friend who has been patiently waiting for them
4. dishes, dishes, dishes
5. clean bathrooms
6. prep mashed potatoes and apple pie for tomorrow (that's what I'm in charge of bringing to Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving)

Now, here is my list of things I WANT to do:
1. scrapbooking
2. finish sewing Lincoln's Christmas stocking and start Norah's stocking
3. finish sewing a skirt I started
4. baking (the fun kind)
5. Christmas crafts
6. make my Advent wreath
7. start making my Christmas cards
8. update my kids' journals I keep for them

I do feel a little accomplished on the list of things I want to do. I was able to FINALLY get the kids' turkey placemats laminated yesterday. I had taken them to be laminated last week, but never picked them up. So, yesterday it was pouring down rain, but I was determined to get to the laminator's to pick them up...and I did! They look pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Feeling a little bummed today. Just found out that my old, college roommate was going to come over for a visit during this Thanksgiving weekend, but she has pneumonia and can't make it. Avonlea and I were snuggling in bed this morning as Daddy was getting ready for work. I've been sharing about Miss Jo and telling her how she was going to come visit, but that she's sick and won't be able to come. Avonlea said, "Mommy, we should pray that she gets better, so she can come." My heart melted and we prayed right there. =) (Love you Jo!)

I pray that all my fellow Bloggers find some peace today and don't get too caught up in the preparations of Thanksgiving. If you are going to host Thanksgiving at your house, just remember that no one is going to "white glove test" your blinds or lick your floors. =) Enjoy the food and your families tomorrow all!

Table Chores

I thought it was so funny that my fellow Blogger over at To Love, Honor and Vacuum did a post today on children's chores because today was the first day I started a new chore for my own kiddos...table chores/AKA: cleaning up after breakfast. There are always the following things left on our table after breakfast: food, OJ, milk, silverware, bowls, plates, etc. Every morning, while the kids do their morning chores (getting dressed, brushing teeth, etc.), I oversee the cleaning up of breakfast. Well, today I got out the spray and two wash cloths and let Avy and Linkster help out. They loved helping wash down the table top and chairs. I don't let them do the spray because there is a level of bleach in it, but they do love helping with their washcloths. Avy also helped me put away the OJ and milk into the fridge and my kids from an early age have always put their own dirty dishes into the sink. We had a sparkling table in a matter of minutes!



*The little feet in this picture are of the other baby we're watching during the day. He's such a sweetheart and he's 3 weeks older than Norah.

Reality!

Our sink has been broken this past week and after a trip to Home Depot today, we found a contraption to fix it. It was $11.00, and that's much better than paying a plumber hundreds! Anyway, this is what our bathtub looked like just a few days ago as we were washing dishes in there. Thanks sweetie for fixing our sink!!!

Chore Training

I've had people ask me how I get my kids to do their chores in the morning. It's simple really. I've had to TRAIN them. When assigning a chore to a child, you can't just expect them to understand how to "do the dishes" if you haven't shown them. How would you like it if your boss at work asked you to complete a task and never showed you how to do it. It would probably take you a long time to get it right and that would be with asking many other co-workers how to do it. You may still not even have it right in the end. With children, it's the same thing! You have to show them MULTIPLE times how to do something and take time out of your day to train them and teach them the proper way. If you want the sink counter clean and dry after your preschooler has just washed his/her hands and made puddles everywhere, you need to "model" and show them how to clean up after themselves and what the final outcome should look like.


For instance, it probably took me 1 1/2 months to get Avonlea fully trained on her morning chores. Her chores consist of:

- getting dressed
- making her bed
- brushing her hair (not perfect, but she tries)
- brushing her teeth
- clothes in the hamper
- filling the dog bowls with food/water
- eat breakfast (she likes to help make it a few days a week)
- dishes to the sink

Some other chores throughout the day are:

- completing schoolwork with a good attitude
- eating lunch/dinner and dishes to the sink
- taking a bath (with help)
- pjs on
- brushing teeth at night


After breakfast, we turn on music and we set a timer for 12 minutes. When the 12 minutes is up, it beeps and I turn the tv on for a morning show (this is when I get my chores done and get dressed). I leave the tv on for the entire show and whenever Avy's chores are done is when she gets to join her brother (I'm helping him with his chores now...VERY basic) and watch the show. The quicker she gets done, the more of the show she can catch. There have been days when she doddles and doesn't catch any of the show. She still has to do the chores. This is rare though because she loves to watch her morning tv show. =)


As she does her chores, she pulls off certain cards on her chart and puts them in a bag (crossing them off...sort of). I put stars on the morning ones so she knows which ones are for morning. If she completes all chores with a good attitude, she gets a quarter. She likes to save up for certain things.


What are some of your chores that your kids do and how do you do them?

While My Children Slept...

I am a nerd (I know this). =) I just have to share what I accomplished today while my three children were sleeping AT THE SAME TIME! This is a big deal folks. Having three children, 3 and under doesn't give me a lot of time to clean the house or keep things the way I'd like them to normally be. So after accomplishing some simple tasks today, I thought I'd share.



This is our "Clean Up Basket" (above). Every family should have one. =) During the day, my kids get out lots of toys and scatter them throughout the house. We have fun, but at the end of the day, right before we clean up our rooms, we go around the house with the "Clean Up Basket" and put all toys that belong in a bedroom in this basket. We then visit each bedroom and deposit the toys in the corressponding bedroom. We then proceed to clean up the bedroom, get jammies on, brush teeth and go to bed.



So, here are all the toys in the "Clean Up Basket" for right now. I'm sure we'll add to it as the day continues, but the next picture is a result of the toys being in the basket...


Ahhhh...a clean living room. Sigh, tear. It doesn't always look this way. In fact, it used to look this way almost everyday at the end of the day before #3 came along, but we're getting there. =)

This is the laundry that I folded while my three children all slept AT THE SAME TIME.

This is our bed that's actually made with fresh, folded laundry. Tear, sigh. Again, while my three children slept AT THE SAME TIME. Do I need to stop saying this? I'm just overly excited!

I do have to mention that Norah slept yesterday afternoon and the older kids and I were able to play outside for over an hour (non-interrupted...just listened to the monitor) and we got the porch cleaned off and moved some things around.

What's next on my list?

-clean grill

- vacuum all carpets

- mop all floors

- catch up on dusting

We'll see if it all gets done. =)

Spring Cleaning

I've been doing some research on a good spring cleaning list and HERE is one of the better ones I found. Needless to say, this family will be doing some much needed around-the-house/yard and spring cleaning tasks today and I'm going to use this as a guide until I update my own list. I'm normally not a huge spring cleaning person, but with us being sick and knowing that some of the dust and pollen that has been carried into our house is contributing, we'll be doing some scrubbing today. Happy cleaning!

Here is the article incase you don't want to go to the link yourself:

"It is that time of year again that we prepare for our spring cleaning. Is this something you do yearly, or does it sound like an old-fashioned concept? Just what is spring cleaning, and why do some people do it?

One reason is that the house can get pretty stuffy in the winter. In the spring we once again open our windows, air out the house, and shake the dust off the furniture.

It's kind of like changing the smoke alarm batteries when the time changes. You have to set a time to do it. There is dust accumulating on the top of your door frames. This is not something that you think about every day. Yet, it's your house, and you are responsible for keeping it clean. Spring cleaning is when we get out the ladder and climb up and wipe it off. Then when the wind comes whipping through the windows, it's not going to fly all over the place!

As I constantly repeat in this e-zine, if you take care of your things (which includes maintaining and cleaning), they will last longer, so you will save money. I have compiled a list of items that are good to put on your spring cleaning list. Some of these should be done more than once a year; but even once a year is better than letting them go even longer.

Remember, that spring cleaning is traditionally done over a period of a few weeks. Make a schedule and stick to it. You can use it year after year, making minor adjustments. Then you don't have to spend any time planning- just doing the work.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

General
*Dust all the hard to reach places in your home, such as ceiling lights, above doors, floorboards and above tall pieces of furniture. Don't forget under things, like your computer. Attach a fabric softener sheet to the end of a long pole and it is easy to do the floorboards without bending. Depending on your house, you may also be able to reach all the high areas also.

Be sure and start at the top when you dust. All the dust is going to fall, and after you do a room, you will want to vacuum it.

*Wash your walls, especially in the kitchen where grease and grime accumulate. The bathroom also needs a good cleaning. As to the rest of the house- painting is often easier. Washing down all the walls in your home can be a daunting task. Some people just spot clean them. Unless they are abused, they will be fine until the next time you have to paint.

*Wash your windows, and clean the screens. Take the screens down, and hose them off (both sides). Wash the windows using a squeegee or newspaper. Make your own cleaning solution. There are many recipes, but my favorite is to just add a few Tablespoons of ammonia, and a dab of vinegar, to a spray bottle filled with water.

*Clean window blinds. Vacuum drapes. You should have a special attachment with your vacuum to run over the fabric of the drapes. You can clean your blinds this way too. However, for a good cleaning you may need to take them down and soak in the bathtub. You can also lay them outside and wash down using the hose. Be sure and turn to get both sides. If you put them in the bathtub, add a little bleach to whiten the cords. Outside the sun should do it.

*Clean your carpets. It prolongs the life of your carpet to give it a good yearly cleaning. Check with your friends to see if they have a cleaning machine, or rent one from the store. A good place to buy a strong cleaning solution at a good price is a janitorial supply store
.
If this isn't an option, here are some other things you can do:

Sprinkle 2 Cups of cornmeal and 1 Cup of Borax on your carpet for 1 hour. Then vacuum thoroughly.
Or try plain baking soda in the same way.

*Remove mildew from walls, windows, bathrooms, etc. Just mix a Cup of bleach into a gallon of water and mix well. Apply to mildew and it will kill it. Use a spray bottle for large areas and a toothbrush for small places. Be sure and rinse when you are done.

*Polish your wood. A lot of people think you don't need to do this, as the wood is initially covered with polyurethane or varnish. However, this protective covering wears off. I've seen wood that has been maintained, and wood that has been left alone. There is a BIG difference. Keep the moisture in your wood, protect it from water, and it will keep it's luster and look like new. If it is not in too bad shape, you can sometimes bring back it's shine and luster by rubbing on Liquid Gold. It may even mask minor scratches and other light damage.

Here is a recipe for homemade furniture polish. Mix the ingredients well , apply to the wood and let sit a few minutes, and then buff smooth.

The juice from 1 lemon
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon water.


*If you have an silver or brass, polish it.
Here is one way to inexpensively and quickly clean your silver. Line a large pan with aluminum foil (no gaps). Add your silver. Make sure each piece touches the foil. Completely cover with warm water and add 2 Tablespoons of baking soda. Let set 10 minutes.

Kitchen

*Pull out the refrigerator, clean behind it, and check your manual to see if there is maintenance to do on the coils or other parts of the appliance.
*Clean the inside of your dishwasher. Add 1/2 Cup of Vinegar and run it though a cycle.
*Clean the drip pans under your stove burners.
*Empty the crumbs out of the bottom of your toaster.
*Clean the can opener, paying particular attention to the blade area.
*Clean tiles and grout.
*Sterilize all your phones. These are big breeders of germs- should be done often.

Bathroom and Utility Areas

*Clean shower and bath stalls, including grout. Attack your grout with a toothbrush and some vinegar. If your grout is dry and cracking, you will have to replace it or risk water damage.
*Clean your shower curtains. Put them in the washing machine with some vinegar. Lay in the sun to dry.

*Clean the washer and dryer. Check the hoses for elasticity. Replace if necessary. Make sure dryer lint is being vented outside and not under the house (fire hazard).

Misc
*Turn mattresses. This should be done quarterly to extend their life.

Some of these things you can do once a year and forget about them. Get organized. Make your list and stick to it, adjusting it when necessary. You will save time and money- and your house will be healthier and more pleasant."

Homemade Cleaning Solutions

I'm a big fan of sharing neat ideas, especially when it comes to organization, cleaning or kids. I read this on another blog today and just HAD to share this with my fellow blog readers. Just so you know, I do not give myself credit for this blog entry. I stole this from another blog (I'm completely giving her credit). Enjoy!

How to Make Cleaning Solutions
(Courtesy of http://www.myblessedhome.blogspot.com/)

You can do all of your cleaning via homemade, non-toxic cleaning solutions that cost only pennies...

What you need

- a large gallon of white vinegar

- a box of baking soda

- olive oil

- lemon juice

- an empty spray bottle

- water

All-Purpose Cleaning Solution

Fill an empty spray bottle with one half white vinegar, and one half water. Shake the bottle to mix the contents.

This solution is the best stuff I have ever used on windows, mirrors, TV screens, glass, etc. This stuff also cleans surfaces, sinks, and appliances well. If you have bug juice on your vehicle's windshield, this stuff cleans the bug juice off phenomenally well.

Toilet Cleaning

Use full strength vinegar, and use a scotchbrite type of sponge or toilet scrubber. Apply the vinegar to the scrubber or sponge, and scrub the toilet bowl, outside and then inside.

For Thirsty Wood Surfaces

Mix a few drops of lemon juice in with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Dip a clean rag into the mixture, then rub the oil and lemon mixture gently into your wood surface, going with the grain (not against the grain).

For Cleaning Stubborn Stains on Surfaces and in Sinks/Tubs

Mix some water in with some baking soda, to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stained surface/sink/tub, and let it sit for about a half hour. Then use fresh paste and scrub the area.


For Cleaning The Inside of The Oven

Make a paste of baking soda and water, and apply it to the inside of the oven, and to the inside of the oven door. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then spray pure vinegar on top of the baking soda paste, and watch it foam up. Let it foam for a few minutes, then use a scotchbrite sponge and wipe it all down. You'll have a nice clean oven, without using a poisonous oven cleaner.

For Hard Water Stains on Faucets

Put some white vinegar into a baggie, then use a rubber band to attach the vinegar-baggy to the faucet, with the faucet soaking in the vinegar. Let it soak like that for an hour, then come back and scrub it.

For Mopping Floors

Fill your mop bucket up with steaming hot water. Pour in about 1/2 cup of white vinegar. If you have ants, then this will help. When I used to have ants, mopping with commercial cleaners didn't help. When I started mopping with vinegar, the ants rapidly disappeared.

Bleach

I do keep pure bleach around, for various reasons. It is kept in a high place, behind other things - quite out of child reach. First off, my kitchen sink is porcelain, so it does seem to need the occasional bleaching, to remove scuffs left from pots and pans. In case of disaster, if you need water, but the water you have is/may be contaminated, then mix a few drops of pure bleach into the water, and let the water sit for a half hour. This will purify the water, if you are unable to boil it.

The Smell of Vinegar

Yes, when you clean with vinegar, there is quite the smell. The smell does go away as soon as whatever you're cleaning has dried. Your house will not smell like a vinegar salad. Your house should have no smell - just the smell of clean. If the smell of the vinegar bothers you while you use it, then consider picking up some scented oils from the store. Just a drop or two of scented oil in your vinegar spray bottle will make a big difference.