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.

Far too much to catch up on here, I'm afraid, but I have had a quick read through.

Welcome back, Swan (sounds as if you had an idyllic time in Ireland [csmile]. Hope the memory sustains you during your crisis clean today. Oh, and I liked all the 'buns' [cwink]) and Makingchanges (am very impressed that you have unpacked already!).

CHB - Why do you hate Lego? I think it's great (except when I stand on it in bare feet). We have a box in each child's room, plus a box under the sofa.

Linzer - hope you manage your crisis clean today. It must have been nice to have a bit of child-free time this morning after all those children you looked after in the holidays.

CheerfulYank - sorry to hear about your DH's great aunt. I hope the funeral goes OK.

Am feeling very rough today so have decided to take it easy. I felt sick and achy yesterday and had to have a nap in the afternoon, but I hoped it would have gone by now. Dunno what it is. It doesn't seem to put me off chocolate anyway [cwink].

Mum left this morning. She spent ages yesterday doing my ironing for me, so I have piles of ironed, folded pillowcases and tea towels - lovely! DS2 is back at school, DH is off work, but has gone on a jaunt to the seaside for the day and DS1 is doing home ed again. He is practising for his SATs, which he will be taking at home.

Am on minimal Flying duties today. Have done the basics - swishing and swiping, unloading d/w, one load in the washing machine - but that's it.

Hope everyone has a good, productive day.

I have just been thrown into panic!
Ds1's Secondary School-to-be have sent a letter saying they are doing a baseline assessment test on May 14th! And there was I thinking I had all summer to get him into an upperish stream at new school and test when he arrived there...We did some revision in holidays but it only served to reveal his gaping ignorance on many matters mathematical, historical and grammatical.
Two weeks, I think I will have to really push the homework now before the SATS etc. I have a trillion test papers, just a question of getting him to do them.

Bin liner in hall is filling up in a satisfactory manner.
Toffee well done kind mum, hope you feel better, and I'm sure basics are enough to keep you on a very even keel.
I fear the ironing is not going to happen here for.....a while....if ever
There are 6 workshirts I need to iron, but that's about it

grr - that's why house smells so odd, found a packet of fresh pasta in dry pasta cupboard, completely mouldy, too much vino when dh here by himself methinks...

Swan - I have just marked a Maths SATs paper that DS did this morning and he seemed to get 12, which is no level at all! That's worse than the last one he did, which at least gave him a level 3 . I am also concerned about getting him into decent streams at the new school (if he even gets there!), but it's looking increasingly unlikely as far as Maths is concerned. 'Gaping ignorance' is the right term! I wish you luck with your own boy!

Ugh at the fresh pasta mouldering in the cupboard...

Swanriver I really wouldn't worry too much about tests. Although it's good to know what the papers are like so that they are prepared, I don't think practice helps unless you intend to keep it up right through his school career. DD1 is in yr8 and in top maths group; DD2 is in yr7 and in 2nd maths group. Both are in the right place for them and find sufficient challenge to keep them interested and sufficient ease to remain calm. If DD2 had been artificially brought on I think she'd be really stressed by the top maths set. Both say there is a lot of movement, both up and down, amongst the sets in YR7 at least.

In my experience the lower maths groups have fewer children in them, so they get more help and support than those at the top, who need less.

Toffee - I also ened up being a bear at the weekend. We were at the GPs on Sunday morning. DH was snoring on the sofa hungover poorly, the weather was lovely and the DCs just wanted to watch telly. MIL and I wantedc to go to a nearby park with bluebell wood, so we packed the protesting DCs into the car and went, they got out of the car still whinging so I said ' Look out here comes a bear" and they squealed with laughter which meant I had to pretend to be abear for the next hour but at least I got to the bluebell wood. Thought of you!

Back later, school run time!

I have thoroughly hoovered and washed all the floors in my house. I feel so much better now it's done. Washing is done and on line and i've put all my previous ironing away - phew. Still more ironing to do but the pile is going down. Have put a casserole in the oven too as DD requested one. Also (and this was overdue) i have changed the filters in my hoover - they were black and I removed all the hair from underneath so it worked like a dream today. Emptied the dust bag a few days back which spurred me on to do the job properly and do the filters too. Had to watch a clip on google as didn't know how to unclip it. Turns out it was as i thought but it had stuck fast with grit etc

Yes! Sky+ is fixed!

Another busy day, much excitement as DD starts Rainbows tonight, we have been making a Princess costume out of tinsel as they are all dressing up for the Royal Wedding.

Well done on the vac filter LadyinPink - Internet is so handy isn't it?

Back later.

Janey - my son would do much better in a group with fewer children, so that's useful to know. I should stop worrying about it, I know, but I just don't want him to underachieve.

WhoKnows - a whole hour of being a bear...?! You deserve a medal. I bet your children loved every minute. Hurrah for TV being fixed!

Lady - congrats on the hoover (I can't do my filter - leave it all to DH in a pathetically girly fashion).

I am OK if I lie down, but feel awful if I get up, so I am doing MN important stuff on the computer, instead of housework. Unfortunately, DS2 says he is hungry, so I will have to haul myself up off the bed and cook him something. He has been helping me cook the Menus4Mums meals every night, which is a PITA, but means that he gets involved and tries new food! This week he's eaten fish pie, sweet and sour chicken and rice, and turkey burgers, which is an improvement on pasta every night. (Although that will be exactly what he's getting tonight - it was going to be 'herby fish', but I cba).

DH is on his way home and says he'll get me some Lucozade and a warm-up meal. Nice man [csmile]. He is always lovely to me when I feel ill (much lovelier than I am to him when he's ill [cblush]).

Well hello all! I have been awol, again! Must thank all of you who mentioned me a couple of weeks ago, thank you for your virtual support. It has been a hard time, and yes, i got through it. It is something i deal with every day, and am seeing a counsellor on a weekly basis for it.

MN has changed a lot in 2 weeks, since i was last on! & new emoticons too!
Hope everyone is doing well. Am sorry, but not going to attempt to try and catch up on the chat! Anyone want to give me heads up on anything they think i should know?!
Am trying my best, to drag myself out of the hole i am in. DH left for work again a week ago yesterday. I have finally, spent the last 2 days totally spring cleaning the house, and have caught up on all housework and all the washing!!!!! am so chuffed! If only i can keep it like this!! Have SS, and shined sink too, first in many days!!!
Shall try to do better, again!
xx

Hello, MissJ. I'm sorry you have been having a tough time. And sad to hear that your DH has gone away to work again. How long will he be away this time? And how is your daughter's sleep these days? Any improvements there?

Well done on spring-cleaning the house and catching up on housework and washing. Sounds as if you are off to a great start and just need to stick at the daily routines to keep on top of it all.

I have gone to bed at last. Finally fell asleep on the sofa with DS2, who was watching 'Wallace and Gromit'. His idea of looking after me was to climb all over me. At one point, I woke up to find him sitting on my head [cconfused]. I was so relieved when DH returned home and I could retreat to our bedroom. DH is taking over the bedtime routines now and I can just relax. I feel cold (needed a hot-water bottle) and am aching all over. Also feel sick and have a stomach ache, but am still hungry, which is confusing. Hope it doesn't last long. Maybe this is what DS2 had when he was so grouchy on Sunday.

Anyway, no flying for me tonight. I have the perfect excuse to browse on MN now.

Hi toffee. No idea, as usual, on how long DH away for. He is only in Aberdeen (2.5 hours away) at the mo, and then going to Singapore again. DD's sleep was a lot better again , but jsut had 1 year jabs, and it's all to pot again!!! Night owl again!!!
If only i could stick at the daily routines!!!

So sorry to hear you are feeling poorly, hoping you feel much better soon hun. xxx

missj I know that feeling in part, spring cleaning does help, deadlines don't but just hard labour helps sometimes where one doesn't have to think much, and suddenly one realises one's achieved something wayhay!

Dh didn't quite know what I'd done today, hard to explain to him the importance of de-silting the house for want of better word

done
cleaned behind the radiator cover [yuk] in hall
hoovered and swept downstairs thoroughly
wiped all surfaces and dusted sitting room surfaces
recycling out
washed door mat
washed out smelly fridge
sink
sorted out post mountain
washed sofa throw thing
put dry cleaning to one side - winter coats
found another smelly mouldy item - garlic and avocado - on a shelf to bin
lovingly put back all stationery items in the right drawers, pots (still couldn't find the scissors for ds2 homework however - cutting out Royal Family Tree)
dd's homework which took ages, a whole page about her holidays [grr] which I had to lead her through hand in hand, eventually we resorted to lists of dogs and children to fill up the space
ds1 SAS intervention to make him think before he writes
another incentive chart for ds2, and homework and piano practice

(Janey I think ds1 is perfectly clever just somehow doesn't know anything, I feel it is my duty at least to teach him how to work out a simple percentage and force him to read a sentence properly rather than skating over it..I think he needs to move radically out of his comfort zone atm)

stillneedto
hang out wet tablecloth
bin bags in bins
all the other stuff on the list

lot of football ranting atm! hey ho, and children in pjs eating carrots and houmous

oh Toffee poor you, what a relief that dh has taken over. Dh is very good at taking over when I'm ill too. Hope you feel better tomorrow, and can eat something you fancy this evening - often when I'm ill I crave particular things, not unusual to be hungry.

Swan - I didn't mean to sound patronising earlier, so sorry if I did. I see what you mean now, but I didn't want you to worry that DS would be cast forever into the outer darkness on the basis of one assessment. My DDs find maths groups very fluid at secondary and they seem to get much better support than at primary. I hope that reassures you :)

Quick list update

• Post office to post two parcels -Done
• Uni essay - at least 1000 words today - umm only managed 800 words, really struggling
• 3 loads of washing minimum - Done 5 loads washed and dried
• online shop - Whoops
• hoover around downstairs - whoops
• rubbish and recycling - Done
• Sort out letters from whilst away - Done

toffee hope you are feeling better soon
MissJulie hope DD settles down again. DD had periods of being a night owl too

stilll escaping post football dh...
Janey no not patronising at all, I'm like you about tests, so far have scorned all SATs fever (that may have been a mistake admittedly , I don't believe in tests as proof of intelligence...and I am relieved to hear that people in bottom Maths set get lots of help I was just slightly hoping that ds could avoid sharing a set with a boy, who is horrid to him, going to same secondary..Hopefully that boy will be superbright and end up in top set

Good evening

Im sorry very very sorry for going awol. [cblush]

I shall pass round Prince William Plonk [cwine] to see if that makes up for it.

feetheart has Olympic tickets [cgrin] is another c5k. Procrastinated on the worng day. Wednesday is the day for doing that just because fly lady says don?t [cgrin] Has a real sweetner when it comes to dc?s tidying.
cheerful sorry to hear about dh aunt. hope the funeral goes well and you are all ok.
linzer has been stayingg a posh child club facilitating hotel. Was it a Kinder? Has downloaded couch to 5k but doesn?t own trainers [cshock] had her dc jabbed. Finally had the house to herself when dc and all their playmates went back to school.
janeyjampot is hoping for Olympic tickets and a home blessing on Tuesday and afternoon success when threating to spend time in dc rooms ?assisting? with tidying. Today had been passing on her wisdom, wise words. [csmile]
toffee has been promising dennis the manace cakes in exchange for sun creamed boy. Has waved to goodbye to her mum. I hope you start to feel a bit better soon.
chb is dozed up on anti-bio. Has been concentrating on breathing. Very good plan [cgrin]. Passed on her realistion that tidying ds room was counter productive. Please can I send dc to your ex-p for table manner training. Would be fab to stop dmil in tracks when criticising at dinnertime. She has also had a lego meltdone and her computer is melting down too.hope to see you soon.
myhouse challenged us all to post every three hours not one we could all rise to but it was ok because swan arrived back from across the pond. [cgrin] My suggestion when it comes to tackling dh?s is a crowbar. This has two uses: 1. To prise him off bis bottom. 2. To bash him over head to convince decluttering is brilliant. (ooo think I might be projecting my dhs attributes onto yours)
ellie dragged herself back to school and jumped up and down with excitement that its only a 3 day week. Made me green with as my dh is a nothing or nothing type fellow oh and the fact she went on a proper choo choo over easter which is one of my favourite pastimes. [dweebemotion]
whoknows gave advise on the purchasing of new running shoes. Which shop did you go to? Is hoping for reduced working week like everyone else. Has been a bear in bluebell woods. Ooo I cant wait for rainbows stage. Hope princess outfit is fab.
blue introduced us to the right royal smilies [cgrin] has been zumbaing away and teaching ds to bed make. What age is ds? Sorry if ive already asked.
swan welcome back. Missed you. Had turned into a tourist agent and had made us listful for magnolias, bluebells, primroses. She will have a puppy by August 21st I decree. [cgrin] her dh managed some cleaning but left MANkiness around too. Is ds1 school placement dependant on sats? Im a novice at all things school. Am hoping sats no longer exist by the time my dc get to that. Hope abba helped with your humungous lists.
makingchanges welcome back, glad you had a lovely time and weather. Another couch5k gal with specials shoes. Good luck with uni work.
lady has been flying with gusto and google. WWW to the rescue. It really is amazing what info you can find there.
missjulie welcome back its lovely to see you. Well done on all your flying. for you.

Ive done it. I hope I havent missed anyone and promise to be more vigilant (ie drink less wine at least until the end of April) I have eaten a whol pack of chilli heat wavr Doritos whilst doing roundup?feeling slightly bloated! [cshock]

My house is looking good just don?t go near my room.

Be back with Linkie McLinkies soon.

tomorrow linkies

eat, drink and chill

reach up high

nite nite all.

oh yes and its not long till may starts. I think sc said she was going to lead next month.

Any thread title thoughts im sure will be gratefully accepted.

Strip beds
wash sheets
hang up washing and stuff from tonight
put away laundry - nope
phone calls - chickened out
dusting
go to look for better trainers for Zumba - do they do fitting for dance ones too? - got some, but no fitting
filing - did some, rest to consult DH in case I file anything he needs!
tidy bedroom
prepare dinner
Zumba!
Several 15min slots in sitting room only needed 1 - Wow!
hotspots - did the visible downstairs ones...

Somehow among all that I need to squeeze in routines and work... - even managed that!

Feeling very smug satisfied with quite a productive day, in the end.

I'm glad all the sats and streaming stuff is a way off for us! I hope it all works out for you swan and yuk to mouldering things in cupboards. I put an open tin of beans in the cupboard instead of the fridge once. Gross! I'm blaming that on pregnancy brain though.

Toffee - get well soon - lemsip! How lovely to have a mum who does ironing instead of making sarky comments about not doing it!

MissJ - here's to a better night. DS2 was a lousy sleeper for ages, but he's tons better now. It will pass!

Hmm, tomorrow's list:
washing
put away laundry
hoover
mop
tidy desk
see if I can get my fringe trimmed
phone calls
work out what DS1 needs for potential w/e at GPs
watering in garden
go to Aldi for cheapo climbing plants
recycling out
Work!!
upstairs hotspots

Night all!

Cross posted with Nettie - thanks for the round up! DS1 is 4 and DS2 is 19months.

Good morning phenomenal flyers [cgrin]

[cblush] at 101 spelling mistakes on round up. Another [cblush] at only just figuring out the c stood for crown.

blue how is your ds doing with bedmaking? Mine is 5 in sept but I haven't even though about starting to teach him.

My list

Check weather see if hanging out clothes a good idea.
Empty dw
Get dc, breakfasted, teeth brushed, dressed, deposited at nursery.
Go to work, bank recons and data inputting today [yawn]
Pick up dc, bathe, feed, bed
Dh dispatch to work this evening
Dejunk some of bedroom
Set washing machine up with a load on timer
Lay out fancy dress clothes for wedding party in clubhouse
Go swimming for exercise
Find campsite for first trip on my own with dc
Sort out Lakeland order before free delivery runs out.
Bed.

Hope you all have a lovely day [cgrin]

Morning all,

Just back from what was literally a school, or rather kindergarten run this morning. The DDs had arranged to walk to school with a friend, so I drove them to her house and then walked with DS and her younger brother to kindergarten. The boys were both whizzing along on their bikes, so I had to run to keep up with them, then had a brisk 10 minute walk to pick up my car from friend's house - all good preparation for when I start Couch to 5k!

Nettie Thanks for the fab round up. Yes, we stayed at a Kinderhotel near to Salzburg (just missing Cinders, who had been there the previous week). There's free postage on Lakeland? I have a £5 voucher to use by June, but am not sure I can afford to spend any more money there (I already have one parcel waiting for me at my parents' as it is), particularly as I also took advantage of free delivery at Mint Velvet yesterday.

Toffee Hope you're feeling better today.