If it isn't fun it won't get done!

It is official... flylady is a genius!

She says "If it isn't fun, it won't get done!" Well to me, 7 months pregnant, anything at all related to cleaning the floors or anything below my knees has become the opposite of fun. My dear husband put up some new WONDERFUL shelves in the basement to help me get organized, and after I had a ball doing that I realized the floors and especially the gym mats could use a good cleaning. SO, I thought, I have a few little people who live much closer to these dirty floors than I do, and they do not have to choke on baby feet or last night's dinner when they bend over.... how can I get them to help me?

Introducing.... SUMMER PLAY TIME! Today was a snow day (no school), so I told the kids we were going to pretend it was summer in our basement. They even got to wear their swimsuits to the "lake" (the blue gym mats). Of course, the lake needed water (warm soapy water) which they cheerfully scrubbed all over the mats. Then they pretended it was a SLIP N SLIDE for a long time. When they got tired of that I got out the scrub brush (which they FOUGHT OVER) and let them play "car wash" Even Seth got into that game, and now my basement floors and all the toddler toys are shiny and clean!

Meanwhile, my big belly and I sat on the couch laughing and taking pictures and video. The video below is my favorite (sorry you have to might have to tilt your head a bit!)

January pictures!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past month! As you can see, it has been full of adventures, not the least of which was our trip to Michigan! Yes, I was crazy to drive so far with the four kids, and I am definitely MORE crazy after having had that experience... but it was worth it! We had a great time with both sides of the family! The kids got to see SNOW for the first time this year (yesterday marks the second time- our first real Indiana snow arrived!)

A belly shot for Gretchen!

OK Gretchen, here is my belly shot for you! After I went to the doctor yesterday and stepped on the scale, I said "NO WONDER I have so many aches and pains!" I'm packing it on quickly, but that's pretty normal for me at this stage. The baby is doing great, so that's what really matters, right? Pass the potatoes!


At least the baby is healthy! I try to tell myself that when I accidentally bump into things (several times a day). I really am much skinnier in my mind than in reality!

I am also very grateful there are no cameras in my house, especially when I am trying to get out of bed. A friend of mine compared it to being a bug stuck on its back, flailing appendages in the air! That sounds about right to me!

My favorite moments are those times I snuggle one of the kids to sleep. They finally start snoring away, so I know it is OK to leave. I lay there another few minutes, mentally going over my body trying to guess which muscles will actually work when I call on them. I come up with an elaborate strategy and finally get up the nerve to give it a try. Muscles contract and pull, arms and legs flail, I stifle a yelp, and end up on the floor. After a deep breath, I check on the child who is usually still sleeping. I then gingerly crawl out of the room and thank God that my husband wasn't watching.

Princesses!

For Christmas Grammy Pammy and I made these princess canopy things for the girls beds. What fun!



Aggie takes after her mother.... still very much a princess in training. Lorraine swears she is having better dreams now that her room is so beautiful! :)

Christmas highlights

We had a great Christmas! The video below contains some of the highlights, especially with my family (I have not transferred the latest Cook pictures yet!)

Happy New Year Everyone!

Hope you all had a rockin' new years eve!