LEAVING MARCH

I can't say I'm sad to say goodbye to March.

It has been a long, cold, snowy winter.

I will not miss it.

I have my windows open today, hoping to be rid of germs.

Two of the kids were hit hard this past weekend with..something.

Maybe fresh air will help us cleanse.

In other news, April begins baseball season!

So long life until mid-June!

Yeah, it is pretty much six days a week, between the two teams.

Michael is playing baseball and the girls are playing T-ball.

I'm thankful that the fields are both close.

Don't count on my doing much of anything else for the next couple months.

April also begins wedding season for us.

We have a wedding per month for the next three months.

April also will hopefully see the boys in their new room!

Carpet is ordered and I'm hoping it will be installed this week..

The room is all painted..in shades of brown.

I know it looks goldish/yellow in the picture, but its brown.

We were going to go with a camouflage theme--but we couldn't find a border that we LOVED.

So, instead I came across one with different wildlife on it and the boys love it AND we can still use the camo/hunting theme with wildlife.  It was a win/win.  I'm excited to see it all come together.

I was hoping that March would bring us a walker.

We aren't quite there yet though.

He stands and will take a couple of steps, but does NOT want to take it slow and steady.

He tries to run and of course falls down!

It'll come.

I still can't get over it.  I've said it before, I'll say it again--it is amazing how different every child is.

I'm getting excited to celebrate a 5th birthday,  garden, and go to the homeschool convention, and order our curriculum for next year!  

So many possibilities and fun things that April brings!

So long, March!

Til next year!

A GLIMPSE OF SATURDAY

Progress.

MY "HACKS"

Sometimes little things make all the difference.

Once upon a time, I had a clean, neat house.

It wasn't an issue.

Once number #4 came along AND I started homeschooling it became much more of a challenge.

I've written about it before.

There are only so many hours in a day and schooling takes precedence.My house is not so clean and neat anymore.

I don't think we're at the filth level, thankfully..but lets just say I wouldn't encourage anyone to eat off of my floors or run their white gloved fingers over any furniture.

Here are some little things that have made a big difference for me personally.

#1) I resolved to have the dishes done every night before going to bed.

I hate waking up to a messy kitchen.

I confess, sometimes I will leave 2 or three things--but NOT the counter piled.

Also, I used to leave clean dishes to dry on the counter.

They were clean..but it was more "clutter" on the counter.

So, to force the dishes away ;) I rearranged the counter-top so that now, there is no SPACE to pile them on the counter.  Hence, dishes get put away right away.

#2) This is still a work in progress.  Laundry gets done on a regular basis.

It gets folded on a regular basis.  BUT, it often will sit on the couch in those folded piles.

So, to counter that tendency.  I am trying to fold my laundry on top of the table.

I always need the table, so it cannot sit there for more than, oh..2.5 minutes.

It does help that children 1-3 put their own away.

Again, it is the little things.

Any helpful tips that you have to add?

HAPPY THOUGHTS

As much as I dislike the whole time-change thing--

having more hours of daylight is so nice!

Yay for sunshine!

Spring is right around the corner!!

Even if it does snow another time or two, the end is in sight.

It is in the fifties today!

The kids are finishing up lunch and then heading outside!

To mud.

At least clothes and kids wash.

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Now that Spring is right around the corner, we're in full swing wedding prep mode.

Two family members are getting married within the next 2 months.

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We are also making painfully slow progress on the house.

Time and money.  Ya know?

Paint and carpet are coming soon.

Then we need to move the boys into their new room and swap all the other rooms around.

Oh, I never mentioned that did I?

Yes, instead of keeping the playroom a playroom..we decided to play switch.

The boys are going into the former playroom, the girls are going into our room, we are going into the closet girl's room, and the boy's room is going to be the new "playroom."  It is small, but at least an area to put the toys etc.  It is exciting and daunting at the same time.  It will likely be several more months until it is all done since we have to paint and re-paint and hopefully change some flooring in the process.  After the boys are moved into their new room, the girls have to be moved into the boy's old room so that Mike and I can vacate our room for them!  Oye!  I think it will be worth it in the end.  The bedrooms the kids have right now are really, really small for 2 and 3 people in them and this will allow them a bit more space.

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I am feeling a lot better.

Last week, I did have a bit of a set-back, but thankfully we're back on track.

I see the doctor next week again at the 6 week mark.

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I am thankful that we have been able to make a bunch of local homeschooling friends.

We try to meet every Friday morning at a local (literally 2 minutes away!) church to have an open play time so the kids can just run some energy off.

I can't WAIT to get outside!

On that note, baseball is right around the corner..

Batter Up!

BIRTHDAY

March Birthdays have begun.

(we have a bunch!)

Happy Birthday to my one and only!

xo