April Fledgling Flyers: April Fools we are not, babysteps and decluttering makes our thread hot, step right in and mark your spot.

[NettieSpaghetti]

Welcome, come away in you?ll have had your . This is the April Fledgling Flyers Thread.

Thanks to WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes who was champion at leading us through March.

We are trying to stick to the Flylady © Website and her baby steps and routines to help keep our houses out of C.H.A.O.S and ready for everyday, maybe the odd visitor or two.

Check her website out but don?t sign up for emails as they are likely to inspire but fill your inbox so full we might not see you till August.

The principles are:

Babysteps (one at a time)
Babysteps and 15 minutes daily decluttering
Babysteps and daily missions.

This month I will be posting the links and leading you down the road to building a routine and keeping your house under control.

It is amazing what you can achieve in a simple babystep,15 minutes a day and a little chat.

Eh up my lovelies...

Just got back from a week in Blighty one hour ago...probably passed Ellie in the tunnel going in opposite direction!!

So sorry to have disappeared off thread so abruptly without as much as a 'by your leave' or a wave of the microfibre cloth...

We were all ill in succession before we left (I spent the journey and much of the holiday hacking away for England, nearly didn't make the trip) and although it was a bit miserable in parts, I am so glad we got away for dd's sake (she is really finding being an 'only' quite hard atm and she had a happy time with her cousins). Didn't quite manage to get the house in as much order as I wanted before departure and so must get cracking now and crisis clean before hoardes of visitors (two batches) arrive for w/e and Monday.

Yikkkeeeessss!!!

Hope everyone is OK. So sorry not to write personal messages (keyboard gone all wierd and juddery) but just popping in to say "hello". If I don't get back on here, hope you all have a lovely EAster weekend!! xxx

List update:

30mins stretches done
run mostly walk between bits of jogging done was as bad as expected, seriously out of shape
shower. done
30 mins heat and ice physio stuff Done
Tackle the clutter in my room 30 mins done
finish the last bit of ironing
finish last bit of folding
wash bedding 1st of 2 washing
Put my clothes away done
empty box of assorted stuff needing to be downstairs.
load dishwasher
pot up sweetpeas
plant runner beans
plant sunflower
tidy ds's room
put ds' clothes away
wash dress and other handwashing bits done
clean bathroom floor
tidy landing
log all food intake into training diary aid up to date
log all exercise into training diary aid (very impressed that cleaning counts as exercise grin) up to date
write up training notes from video studies (4hours worth of videos ) done
Empty bins
Empty incinerator done
If time have bloody great big bonfire!

Bed by 8pm!!!!

remove nail varnish done
Sort out training kit bag done
Copious amounts of coffee and a proper breakfast done
Repaint nails done
Complete competition entrance paperwork. done
Find certificate with date of achievement. done
2 hour stomp in the hills done
Lunch out done
Clear garage out done [bushock] [bushock] [bushock] !!!!!!! Know idea how ended up doing this I was only in there to get the water for the bins
Wash out bins done
wash down scooter ready for charity shop done
Transfer climbing frame bits to back door done
Check oil, and fluid leveles on car done
Load rest of recycling into car done with bits destined to go from garage

CHB am beyond [buenvy] of your clean garage! Mine is disgraceful.

Be back in a bit to post my list! :)

Lovely to see you, Still. Sorry you and family have been ill , but glad to hear you managed a good holiday in spite of all the illnesses. It sounds as if your DD had a good time with her cousin. How old is she? I'm an only too (DH as well). When I was at primary school, I used to invent a lot of imaginary sisters - to the extent that my mother was very embarrassed when another mother asked her how it was going with the new baby. I now have a lot of female friends, which I always think might be a continuation of me making up for the lack of siblings (although, from what I gather, friends are a lot easier than siblings [buwink]). Don't forget that there are lots of advantages to being an only, eg. more attention from parents, self-sufficiency and, it is claimed, higher levels of educational achievement.

CHB - I can't possibly keep up with you today. Well done on everything you've done, especially clearing out the garage (sounds like a horrible job).

Well, we have been swimming. DS1 was very grumpy and almost wouldn't go, but I managed to keep my temper and cajoled him and his little brother out with the promise of ice lollies. Once in the pool, their moods changed completely: I haven't heard DS1 laugh so much for a long time; and DS2 was so confident and determined to 'swim' without my help (though he was using floats). I really must take them more often.

Just home and listening to 'Paddington' with DS2. I'm hoping DH will be home early, so I can get on with my list whilst he and DS2 potter in the garden.

Good morning, Cheerful [busmile].

List update:

30mins stretches done
run mostly walk between bits of jogging done was as bad as expected, seriously out of shape
shower. done
30 mins heat and ice physio stuff Done
Tackle the clutter in my room 30 mins done
finish the last bit of ironing
finish last bit of folding
wash bedding 1st of 2 washing
Put my clothes away done
empty box of assorted stuff needing to be downstairs.
load dishwasher
pot up sweetpeas done but needs tying to stakes
plant runner beans
plant sunflower done
tidy ds's room
put ds' clothes away
wash dress and other handwashing bits done
clean bathroom floor
tidy landing
log all food intake into training diary aid up to date
log all exercise into training diary aid (very impressed that cleaning counts as exercise grin) up to date
write up training notes from video studies (4hours worth of videos ) done
Empty bins upstairs done
Empty incinerator done
If time have bloody great big bonfire!

Bed by 8pm!!!!

remove nail varnish done
Sort out training kit bag done
Copious amounts of coffee and a proper breakfast done
Repaint nails done
Complete competition entrance paperwork. done
Find certificate with date of achievement. done
2 hour stomp in the hills done
Lunch out done
Clear garage out done !!!!!!! Know idea how ended up doing this I was only in there to get the water for the bins
Wash out bins done
wash down scooter ready for charity shop done
Transfer climbing frame bits to back door done
Check oil, and fluid leveles on car done
Load rest of recycling into car done with bits destined to go from garage
Make rhubarb crumble Just about to do

That's it I am on strike. No more today. Shower and bed when I have made up my bed. Want to get up early again tomo. Early seems to be a good plan in terms of getting stuff done.

Will catch up either later or tomo for personals.

didnt get my to do list done though. Procrastinated and left my room again.

Wow, you're amazing!

So far I have accomplished:

Showered and dressed
DS fed and dressed
Beds made
Swish and swipe
Animals fed and cared for
(it's 11:30 here)

Ok. So today I need to do:

15 minutes kitchen
15 minutes bathroom
15 minutes living room
15 minutes dining room
10 minutes entryway
Dishes
Laundry
Figure out what everyone's wearing for Easter
Go shopping (need some salmon)
Make eyebrow appt
Drop books off at library
Not sit on mumsnet all day

Nettie - both sorts of nice! You painted a lovely picture of your morning. Mine was not quite as relaxed, packing to visit ILs for Easter weekend, unfortunately although I have kept up with the washing I haven't kept up with the putting away, the big winter to summer switchover of clothes has caused chaos, must remember not to do it in the school hols next year. Anyway, safely ensconced at ILs now.

Good morning Fledgling Flyers.

Im feeling very good about flying this morning and I want to paint you a picture. Im sure you have all had similar experiences.

Last night I went to sleep, tv off no book at a reasonable time. DC stayed in all night. They got up this morning and played nicely in their snug, affording mummy some time to sleep a bit later. They came down stairs and got there drawing things from the drawing tray and did some drawing.
We then had breakfast, dishwasher emptied, breakfast dishes are done, washing is hanging on the line (I finally set the timer on the washing machine so it was ready first thing this morning ). I am now having my second [bushock] cup of coffee on the newly situated and thoroughly scrubbed table and chairs, with umbrella, sitting on a newly unearthed cushion from the huge pile of tat that used to live in my now spacious conservatory. Dc are playing circle time at their table and chairs on the decking.

Yes admittedly we are all the great unwashed as my mum would say and in our pjs. The slight smell of horse manure wafting over from new doors garden as they have just brought their pony home to graze [buhmm].

Flying is good.

whoknows glad there is no gas leak and the chap was helpful. Was he nice in the ooer nice way or just genuinely a nice man [buwink]
toffee imaginative play is not my forte either I am afraid. Completely devoid of imagination.[bugrin]. Glad your menu4mums is working out. How was chicken and rice?
chb gosh what a ginormous list you have dear [bugrin] good luck with bed at 8, something I do often but watch tv in bed so that?s not much good. [bushock] at updating list before 9.
cheerfulyank good luck with room rescues all the live long day [bugrin] Any renewals or repairs just makes the whole flying thing seem much more difficult as its difficult to see the results. I had that all last year but I think the results can be seen bit more now we are finished (until dh starts getting someone to pull down the hall ceiling [buhmm])
linzer good luck with packing. You are not taking anyone elses children with you tomorrow are you? [bugrin]
janeyjampot glad you had a lovely time away in caravan. Yes I agree about experiences, we my brother and big sister used to take the 4 younger children for walks miles to the nearest beach all on our own. Dsis was 13. Glad everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, well done getting washing and stuff done yesterday.
My list for today is to not harass anyone, (apart from dh out of bed to work). Do need to bathe dc and get us all dressed, put tent up as practice in garden. Decide whether camping in garden with dc is such a good idea. [buconfused] and play the day away. Inside flying is having a rest apart from s/s later

Ooops i forgot to copy and my computer had obviously kept this morning [bublush] [bugrin]

cough cough...what i meant to say was

Good evening everyone.

chb has been running, training, hill walking, garage cleaning and so much more. Well done and good luck for 8pm bedtime.
sc welcome back sorry to hear you have been ill over your break. Glad DD had a lovely time with her cousins.
whoknows have a fab time at your inlaws.
cheerul good morning [bugrin] do you need to get dressed up for easter. [unconfused] (I have a disgraceful garage too [bublush])
toffee well done on getting swimming. Glad they both loved it. Mine love it too.
feetheart love the idea of hammock hanging not so keen on the turn taking [bugrin]
cyberwebcinders is the patterned a [[bugrin] easter on like you get on the easter eggs?
my house Hope you got some chill out time too. I just used soda crystals for mine and a good old scrub too.

One load of washing done and dried another load in,. dw emptied and refilled x 2. I have successfully looked after two dc and put up a ginormous tent singlehandledy , got dc into freezing cold pool for a bit and had a bbq with dh who was either talking to a friend in person about boat or another one on the phone about boat [unconfused] Ah well tonight we are all camping in the back garden. DH has to got to work but we are all camping, a good trial for me taking the dc out camping by myself. I hope to read my book this evening once dc are settled into bed. Wish me luck I may be in for a long one. [bugrin]

Have a good night everyone [bugrin]

Do you know how hard it is not to eat the eggs in the

cupboard

but it would be
just

decluttering ...[busmile]

I love it of course decluttering. You are so clever [bugrin]

No, not "dressed up" as such but more than the jeans/sweatshirt/trainers uniform we all sport. DH and DS will wear khakis with a polo for DS and a button-down for DH. I'll probably still wear jeans but "nice" ones with a nice tank top and cardigan. And I have a lovely necklace to wear. :)

We go to see DH's aunt for Easter. It's a two hour drive but lovely to see everyone anyway. :)

Ground floor about half way finished ... running out of steam

Quick "Mummy alone" break while I inhale a salade nicoise...

(dh and dd are watching Nanny McFee DVD)

Good luck tonight in the tent Nettie ... I won't mention slugs, oops, I just did!! Great that Flying is working so well for you!!

Crikey CBH you are on a roll ...!!!

Toffee dd is nearly eight. Despite it definitely not being what we wanted for her, we try not to make a big thing of her singledom but she is a definite extrovert. Not helped by school friends (many being expats too) often away during holidays and the fact that dh and I had her late so we are a bit old and creaky. She used to have an imaginary friend who was ever present (to the extent that I used to have to set an extra place at the table for her) but when I enquired about her recently, I was told "X X has died."!!!

Great to know you have lots of friends now in adulthood and thanks for reminding me about the positives of being an "only" - it's good to be reminded because it's something I worry about all the time.
Well done on your "reluctant bear" role-playing btw and "aw" at your boys in the swimming pool

arf at WitchonaS

keyboard still juddery and wierd despite being normal outside of mnsnet - eh??? - so going to call it a night.

Huge waves to Feetheart CheerfulY Myhouse Cyber Whoknows (love your Easter name btw!) janey Scatty and everyone else!!!

lolololo

I just decluttered

a few tiny teeny weeny eggs

and as a punishment

I have cleaned all the floors

well cherio for a bit

Started a post, then computer threw me out [buangry]. Can't face starting all over again, so all I will say is that I decluttered and cleaned all my kitchen cupboards [bugrin] and I also decluttered some chocolate eggs (Cadbury's minis).

Kitchen is a work in progress, so will have to tackle it in the morning.

Good night all. Have a good day, Cheerful.

Just popping in before we leave in an hour or so - just have a bit of last-minute packing to do, which I'm hoping to manage before the children get up. Hope everyone is having a a lovely long weekend - Happy Easter! [bugrin]

Good Morning everyone

We had a nice rather chilly night in the tent. Took about an hour and a half for dc to get to sleep, not bad really. We were all up at 6am, but I went back to bed.

Linzer have a lovely time
toffee well done on kitchen cleaning
witch well done on punishment. I ate half an easter egg last night my punishment was freezing cold outdoors living.
sc wow on mummy alone break, I find those so difficult to come by. I didn?t see any slugs [bugrin]
cheerful hope you found some lovely attire for Easter trip to Aunties.

My list

Sweep floors
s/s
Wm/hang out
Dc dressed and me
Trip to garden centre
Home to play in garden and probably pack up tent. I need the practise but I think ds is going to protest very loudly about it. Maybe a trip to the park after that.
Must make dinner hmmm or try and find some rolls and chicken for bbq.

Sitting on the patio have a coffee and my darling pussy cat is tweeting at the birds. I expect that?s why she doesn?t catch many as she talks to them and try to catch them at the same time. [bugrin]

Be back with Linkie McLinkies in a mo. [bugrin]

afternoon routine? In the holidays? Well if you say so

Family fun day so no mission just lotsa fun.

Here hoping you all have lovely sunny days of fun. I?m told its to be the last really nice day

Linzer - hope you have a fabulous Easter holiday [busmile].

Nettie - glad your night in the garden went well, if a bit chilly! Bet the DC loved it.

Thanks to coming downstairs to see the Tesco delivery at 9.30 last night, DS2 slept in till 9am this morning! So we have all had a lie in.

The kitchen looks dreadful, but at least the cupboards are tidy. DS2 is making more mess in the dining room (he has started two projects so far and is now onto his third), but I hope that this will give me a chance to tackle the kitchen.

The house is suddenly looking chaotic, but I just need child-free time to sort it out. However, DS2 is being very demanding at the moment - very whiney - so I'm not sure how much I will get done.

Will do a list :

Breakfasts done
Dress
S&S
Dry yesterday's swimming towels and costumes (might need to rewash - still in washing machine)
Unload d/w
W/M - reload
Kitchen hotspot - er, that'll be the whole kitchen then
Hoover house
Mop kitchen floor
Room rescues - kitchen, dining room, sitting room, DS1's bedroom, DS2's bedroom
Dry clothes
Change sheets on DS2's bed for Mum (arrriving this afternoon)
Ironing
Chemist - hayfever syrup for DS2
Ring MIL
Easter Egg hunt
Lunch
Out somewhere
Make fish pie
Dinner

Before-bed routine
Bed at decent hour, maybe

Ooh, I like the .

Hope you all have a lovely day, with unwhiney children.

Have a lovely time linzer

How did the camping in the garden go Nettie

Toffee when did ds2 break up for hols? Is he still tired? Or does he just feel he is missing out on time with you compared to ds1 due to the schooling arrangement? Could you not get him to "help" you?

Morning. was in bed for 10 past 8 and asleep before half past last night [bushock] didnt wake up until 11am [bushock] must have been tired. Feel more human in my brain but yucky in lungs. I need a short sharpe shower to shift some of this pollen that is in the air.

I like the but am as to why we have it. Anyone know why it has appeared?

The is for St George's Day, CHB. Amazing how much sleep you had last night - you must have really, really needed it. The pollen in the air is making us all snuffly too - am taking hayfever pills every morning at the moment.

Thanks for your thoughts on DS2. I don't know exactly why he's so needy this morning. Sometimes, I think the more attention you give children the more they want. So, DS2 and I started the day cuddling up in his bed, looking at his toys and chatting. Then we had breakfast together and he looked at some Easter make-and-do stuff. Then, after starting two of those projects, he wanted to do some magic. Then he had a strop about not going on holiday in a caravan this year , which lasted several minutes. After that, I read him a story from his Spiderman comic and then he wanted us to re-enact the fight between Spiderman and the goddess Amora. After two fights - and having been defeated and thrown into jail - this goddess said she had to get on with stuff, at which point he wailed that he wanted another fight and blocked my exit.

Is it just that the more you give, the more they want ?

Eventually, DS put the television on - and I have to say, I'm grateful.

Good afternoon my beautiful fledglings! Sorry for being so crap this week (in both flying and chat terms!), I thought holidays were for rest...clearly I am stupid [egrin].

Have been a good girl this morning ! I have:-

Cleaned/tidied kitchen
Washed up
Cleaned/tidied dining room
Cleaned/tidied living room
Cleaned/tidied dd's room
Started a major declutter on ds's room
Cleaned/tidied our room
Decluttered old bottles etc. in bathroom
Given bathroom through clean

Am going out now to my mum's to enjoy some of this lovely sunshine. My uncle is visiting us this weekend. We haven't seen him for a year so dc's are there now and I am going to join them. We are supposed to be going to a 40th party this evening but I really can't be bothered and DH is at work all day so i don't know if we will go.

linzer have a lovely holiday!

chb [eenvy] of your sleep!

sc ds and I watched Nanny Mcphee last night as well!

nettie I HATE camping in back garden or not so bravo to you.

cheerful enjoy your break

Back later for a proper catch up!

Oh and my fecking washing machine has broken so am having to ferry washing around to various people's houses. Grrrrrrr.

Oh feck, its [bugrin] not [egrin], I swear it was egrin last year. I shall also randomly post a for no particular reason just because I can [bugrin].