...to tackle the laundry

...and gather more bags

I have to admit that while I have been tackling rooms, drawers, and cupboards I am completing these tasks at a much slower pace than I would like.

Today I needed something easy.  A room (or area) that was quick.  An area that would make me feel like I was making progress after all.

The laundry room.  

11 baskets, a bin, and one hanging basket filled with items I haven't touch since...idon'tknowwhen.

Collectors of schtuff.  

In less than an hour I disposed, recycled, and donated three bags of items.

A few things that were hiding:

A pretty blue mug.

A random bunch of fake flowers.

One and only one Halloween placemat?

...And many other random things.

Not a single thing that I was excited to find or that had been long-lost and now found.

Ahh...

All tidy.

What's left in the baskets you may ask?

Summer sandals.  Rags.  Laundry products.  Cleaning products.  Extra dryer parts (every home we have been in requires us to change the plug to our dryer).  Single socks waiting for their match (in the hanging basket).  Swimming items.  Picture hanging hardware.  And a few baskets are now empty.

...to enjoy dessert

...I love Sundays during Lent!

I had the children give up desserts during Lent (Yes.  I am giving them up too.) 

I knew this would be both challenging and hopefully helpful for them to gain a little perspective on eating to satiate their hunger...not just so could have dessert after they eat 'three' bites.

During this week they have each been setting aside money for their rice boxes given to them at school this past week.  This concept seems to have helped them develop the concept there are many children in this world that don't have access to good food.

Maybe having them give up dessert will help them to develop a small appreciation for having three square meals a day.

I think it's working.

And believe it or not they aren't even complaining.

Because Isabella was up in arms about this concept she decided I needed to suffer a little more.  She told me I should give up something really difficult as well.  Something like sugar and cream in my coffee.

I had no. idea. how hard it would be for me to give up cream and sugar in my coffee.  And it's only been four days.  My coffee today was de-li-cious!  I think I appreciate it all the more.

To celebrate our success each week I have decided we'll make a 'special dessert' on Sundays.

Today was chocolate cream pie.

Yum.

Thumbs up.

...the soccer season to begin

...indoors of course!

Soccer would still be a little impossible (with three+ feet of snow on the ground) and of course it's a bit cold here.

Abbey was super excited!

And Audrey...

well....she tolerated the warm ups...

and even worked on some ball handling drills....

Then she was done after ten minutes.

She explained it to me this way:

Why would I want to play soccer when there aren't even any soccer goals?  And we aren't even kicking the ball?  That's just boring!  I told you I didn't want to just run back-and-forth.  Why should I play soccer?

Audrey sat on my lap for the next hour.

Abbey however, played her little heart out.

...to get set

...for Ash Wednesday

The beginning of Lent.

Lent is even better than a Monday and it's better than New Year's Day.

Lent is like a new beginning.

It's a whole season, 40 days, to dedicate and focus on the things that are important.

God.  Family.  Self.

Some other words that come to mind for the season are: reflection, kindness, prayer, gratitude, sacrifice, generosity.

A trait each week for me to focus on.

Last year I was inspired by my friend Lisa to get rid of 40 bags of items in 40 days.  It was hard.

Getting rid of stuff = Time for more important things (in other words less time organizing, tidying, keeping track of these said items.)

This is once again my dedication for Lent.

In addition I have to recycle 40 books.  40 shoes.  & 40 outdoor items.  (Going out to the garage is a HUGE commitment.  People it is COLD here!)

To go along with my sacrifice I have decided I won't go to any thrift shops, antique stores, or buy any items off Craigslist.  The point is:  Getting rid of stuff = Time for more important things

Before I get started though...I already have a confession to make...I have been pre-hoarding my donations.

I have a giant box filled with items in my room, ready to be loaded in the car.  But not until... tomorrow...

Does this count you may ask?  Can she pre-hoard her items to get rid of?

I am totally counting this box.

Box #1 is ready.

...to thank Fred & Ellen

...for coming in to help me for the weekend.

The kids had several activities this past weekend.  Ordinarily I can do the crazy-juggle pretty well.  This weekend would have been impossible without a little help...so I requested reinforcements.

Fred & Ellen graciously obliged and the result was win-win for all of us.

Abbey and I got to spend some time together at World Thinking Day for Girl Scouts.

Here are a few photos of the day:

Our country was Egypt.  The girls stamped their names in hieroglyphics...

asdfa

 and we handed out these adorable Crocodiles for their Troop swaps...

This is Abbey's friend Charlie from Germany.  Well, really it is a drawing of her friend Charlie from Germany.  They are pen pals.  She has been taking Charlie to the places we have been visiting.  We can a photo of Abbey and Charlie together and then he'll be able to see what kinds of things Abbey does here in the United States.

Perhaps I should take a picture of Abbey & Charlie looking out the window at the snow together?  That seems like the activity we do most here in upstate NY!

I digress.  Back to our weekend...

Isabella was able to attend the Science Olympiad tournament (since Ellen was willing to drive an hour and a half to the event); and William was able to go to his basketball game and his guitar lesson with Grandpa.  In case you are wondering...Audrey was a tag-a-long at basketball (keeping Grandpa on his toes) and then she spent the afternoon with Mom and Abbey.

The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying each other's company.

Even though I didn't have my camera out much, I did manage to snap these photos as they were leaving bright and early this morning:

before walking Isabella to the bus  

before the rest of the crew left for the day

Safe travels.

And Thank You.

...a day just like today

...it was the best kind of day

• Coffee with Meghan.  
• A run on the treadmill.  (Uninterrupted too!  Not an easy feat given I have Audrey (4), Paddy (4), & Cormac (2) home with me.
• The kids were all sent home from school today before lunch and all of our evenings activities were canceled.
• A spontaneous lunch and coffee with Meghan (since all our afternoon activities were canceled).
• Abbey and Audrey took naps.  Awesome!!
• Isabella and I sat by the fire together during their naps.  She read.  I worked.  So peaceful.
• I made Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies and didn't burn a single batch.
• I was able to talk with Mark at the end of his work day.  It's always nice to hear his voice even though it was a bit chaotic when he called.
• Will didn't make a single fuss about any of my demands nags requests through the whole day! 
• I enjoyed a drink and a lovely (also uninterrupted) dinner with Donnie and Amy.  
• Bedtime was sweet and cuddly and there wasn't even one complaint.

And all the snow that enabled me to enjoy such a delightful day...was shoveled away by an anonymous neighbor.

Its too bad this bliss has to be interrupted by a 5:00 am wake-up call.

...to remain on task

...and stick to the list

Life's been a bit chaotic around here.

I am not sure if it's the four kids or their slightly deranged caretaker that's to blame.

I feel like there are three scenes that play on repeat here at my home:

Scene A:

Mommy is contentedly listening to music while preparing dinner in the kitchen uninterrupted...

Because the heathens are wrecking havoc on the house leaving behind them:
--inside out jackets tossed on the floor (in the puddle their wet boots have made)
--a naked barbie on the stairwell
--one lone sock wrapped into a ball that was used as target practice
--and a tower of books on the desk that will crash onto (and break) the next unsuspecting-pinky-toe that dares to come close

***And Mommy is simply choosing to ignore all of the above.

Scene B:

Mommy is making dinner and yelling and fussing and nagging like a maniac about the chaos and trail of tears that have been left.  And not.a.single.child can be found in sight...they have all mysteriously disappeared.

Scene C:

Mommy is making dinner but can't complete a thought because at least four children need something, want something, are crying about what someone did, or crying about what someone won't let them do....all at the same time....and then dinner burns (usually the bread of the meal)...and then Mommy is yelling and fussing and nagging like a maniac.

True stories.  True scenes.

But this week I though if I stick to the list...and prepare...then things would be better.  Day three of sticking to the list complete.

Success people!

There has not been a single breakdown!

Even from me.

Here are our meals for the week:

Saturday:  Chicken Stir Fry with edamame, broccoli, zucchini and mushrooms (Why yes Isabella. You did read that right there were plenty of delicious mushrooms chopped up fine in that stir-fry).  Success!  They all liked it.  A few even had seconds!

Sunday:  Broccoli & Cheese soup  (Not.so.successful)

Monday:  Lemon Chicken Pita's with cut-up veggies and cheese as toppings  (Another success.  I may have met my 'success' quota for the month).

Tuesday:  Leftovers-Choice
Wednesday:  Chili & Cornbread
Thursday:  Chili Dogs
Friday:  Lemon Chicken Pasta