If your house is calling May Day, do not fear: May's Fledgling Flyers are here

[LinzerTorte]

Welcome to the May edition of the Fledgling Flyers' thread. Thank you to Nettie for her splendid leadership of last month's thread.

If you're living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome), this is the thread for you! We follow the tips on the FlyLady website in an attempt to restore order to our homes, but advise against signing up for the e-mails; all the information you need is on this thread.

Each day, I'll be posting the links that will enable you to do any of the following:

• start or repeat baby steps

• repeat babysteps and do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

• reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.

More information about the babysteps is here.

So please join us - there's always plenty of chat, tea, cake, encouragement and the occasional to help us on our way!

Oh, I'm glad it's not just me! I read threads on here sometimes where people talk about overstimulated children who can't play on their own, these people say, oh I just throw mine in the garden and don't see them till teatime, well, certainly doesn't work in my house! I can't really see how I could have one "overstimulated" child and one who is pretty self sufficient so I have concluded it's not my fault.

Anyway, better get back to home blessing hour (yawns).

Morning lovely ladies

Had a lovely weekend away but i'm exhausted as it was non-stop. house is a tip so lots to do today. DD has SATS all week and went in hanging around my legs so not a good start (she is so tired after her busy wkend with late to bed the last 3 nights). Have promised her a present at pick up and waved at her from the classroom door so hopefully she started off the morning ok. (we aren't allowed to hang around at drop off but i wanted to show her i hadn't scampered off)

Been to the bank and washed and hung out a load of washing - weather decidedly dodgy so watching out for rain ggrr. Waiting for Dr to call me back to get a repeat of DD hayfever medicine as she's already running out.

Still to do:
More washing
Hoover everywhere
Wash floors
Clean bathrooms
Change bedding
Find present for DD
Take DD to drama
Home office work

Should manage it if i put on roller blades and start now

swan yes you're right, elocution is just like speech and drama. DD loves it so i'm thinking of swapping her current drama classes to the same ones she does in school with her elocution.

BBL

Well the house has been neglected again,
but I was determined to clean out the last bit of garden alley, so I've done that

watered some ailing plants

and unloaded dw
and entertained dd (not much required, just a story and some lunch) She has just made me a tray with a cup of tea to entice me to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with her.

I've cancelled singing lesson, but still need to take ds2 to ballet (hope he behaves this week

Thrown away at least 27 things today from various places

stillneedto
clean the loo/bath as I sprayed flash on them at 9.30
put away some clothes in master bedroom whilst "sitting" with dd

Lady hope SATs go well, tis the yr 2 ones? I'm sure they don't put much pressure on them at that stage.

I love Chitty Chitty Bang Bang swan ! I don't know if DS is old enough to watch it yet, he might be scared silly by the childcatcher :)

It's just after 8:30 a.m. here; DS and I are finishing breakfast. I am in the middle of laundry and we're waiting for my insanely neat friend to get here with her LOs and help. Can't wait!

Have a lovely day!

DD chose Chitty Chitty bang Bang for her morning dvd today too (well 1/2 hr before school) and i can't help joining in with the songs

swan It's not the pressure the teachers put on them it's the pressure they feel themselves. I have played them right down but other kids have had their parents testing them for weeks at home (we were specifically asked not to). Have bought her a chocolate muffin for an after school treat today also - quick sugar fix! Half term at the end of this week and I can't wait

ooh I would love to be called insanely neat, that would make a nice change cheerful

done
cleaned three bathrooms, and poured vinegar in a loo, but I see I need gallons not just the fish and chip vinegar

todo
spelling sentences with ds2
give ds1 some 11 plus style homework as he doesn't seem to have had any work for several weeks since SATS
ballet
football
Cubs someone else picking up hurray!
scouts
supper - chicken /rice dish
rubbish out

The things you learn from MN - I was wondering when the KS1 SATs were! DS school plays them down so much I had no idea if they had done them or not.

I'm joining CHB in the naughty corner. I've a really busy few days work-wise - late finish today, training folk all day tomorrow then London on Wednesday so I'm aiming for Thursday when I am working from home (and nipping off to the osteopath). Thankfully the missions are lightweight this week so just need to try to keep on top of shiny sink and s&s.

anyone?

Thanks, Droit, I'd love another one. DH and I have finished one bottle and, sadly, have no more. He'd had a tough day at work and I'd had a tough day at home.

It was a tough day for me because DS1 had an major temper tantrum this morning. He was very difficult yesterday too. We made up later, but I have felt 'down' all day because of it, whereas he is now fine. The good thing is that he has to go into school tomorrow morning to hear a talk from a teacher from his secondary-school, so I will get a morning to myself .

Flying seems to be taking rather a back seat to the rest of life at the moment. But I am keeping on top of basic routines and am still glowing with pride from having finished my ironing the other night!

Just off to sample the latest Menus4Mums recipe - Chicken Jambalaya. Smells delicious....

Oh, I feel like I can breathe again! We've got most of the downstairs clean (I just need to finish off the bathroom) and everything looks so calm and airy and bright! I feel so much better!

DH took a break from work to take DS to his parents and my friend and her kiddos left, so I am going to sit here in my clean living room and read the new Pottery Barn catalogs that came in the mail. And then get dressed and go to my hair appointment.

BLISS!

Yr 2 SATS played down here too, not heard a whisper from anyone, school or other parents as to when they are. The school can choose when to do them now, can't they?

House blessing took several hours, but it all looks nice. Better go and get the DCs to bed. I'll have a quick with you too DWM.

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry not doing so good this month, can't even keep up with you.

Had pretty hectic weekend, shopping, 65th birthday and 40th wedding anniversary party. Breakfast with 15 family and friends Sunday followed by bike race where I tried to publicise ladies circle whilst looking after dc. jog around a field for day 1 of couch to 5k my ankles were killing me. Today has been a blustery day down the beach and a mass tidy up.

I have managed to keep up routines mainly so house not looking too bad. Camping trip at weekend to prepare for, my first almost solo (dh turning up late at night after work).

I've had some bad news regarding my 5 day old niece and have been texting and calling around family for updates since Saturday. She has large blood cells and platelets so has been having saline drips. Poor little mite. I feel for them all. (also selfishly feeling useless as so far away ).

Trying to force myself off couch and try to get to gym!!

Slopes off to sit in the naughty corner. Passes apologies to everyone as I haven't caught up with anyone . Hope you are all ok. I think I'll just say a huge thank you to linzer for running this month. And a huge apology to everyone for not keeping up.

See you all in June.

So sorry to hear about your niece, Nettie - what a worry for everyone. I hope the saline drips help.

I would love a DWM but am supposed to be working and am struggling to concentrate as it is, so will have to restrict myself to a few sips!

Back later with the round-up.

And here, as promised, is the round-up:

CheerfulYank restored order and calm to her house with the help of a kind friend.

SC had a caffeine-free start to the day and is slightly concerned about the volcano (what volcano? I have been burying my head in the sand with regard to the news as usual).

CHB was up early to go training and then collapsed in the naughty corner.

Janey?s DDs are selling all their belongings on eBay and her DH is a liquorice hoarder. (This has to be better than being a stamp hoarder. I discovered that DH has seven large Quality Street tins, a Fox?s biscuit tin and a shoe box full of used stamps underneath his side of the bed while doing today?s mission.)

PMPY sidled up to CHB in the naughty corner and introduced yet another alternative term for home blessing ? home blagh.

swan was full of energy, finished cleaning her alley and watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with her poorly DD.

WhoKnows was glad to discover that she?s not the only one with a DC who can?t entertain him/herself and quarrelsome children (I am also quite relieved that my three DC are all difficult in their own ways, so none of their awkwardness is obviously my fault!).

Lady was back feeling exhausted after her weekend away, was getting ready to tackle the house and rewarded her DD with a chocolate muffin ? yum.

DWM found MN invaluable for finding out the SATS dates. (Things like SATS and key stages are like a foreign language to me.)

Toffee has had a tough day but is looking forward to a morning to herself tomorrow.

Nettie has been rushing round like a headless chicken and joined the party in the naughty corner despite keeping up her routines.

Am finally enjoying some now. DH has just got back - he apparently had to go for a beer with his boss after the exhaustion of spending all day in a virtual data room. Must go and get DD1's swimming things and my running clothes ready for tomorrow; I'm determined not to give up on Couch to 5K despite the arrival of work (well done on your first day, Nettie!). Night all.

Sorry to hear that Nettie. Hope you get some better news soon.

Downstairs is reasonably decluttered now, but before I can tackle the bedroom I need to persuade DH at least to think about what to do with his mouldy old football kit etc! Linzer, DS1 is 4.4 so starting school in Sept. Do they start at 6 in Austria like in Germany? I've never actually seen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! How sad is that?!

Anyway, still no list for tomorrow, but I've booked Zumba and should get back to work tomorrow afternoon.

Waves to everyone. Jambalaya sounds good Toffee. Any left? Maybe with some of DWM's wine.

Well done on the decluttering, Blue. Yes, children here generally start school the September after they turn 6; other parents I've spoken to are quite shocked to discover that children usually start at 4 in the UK. The school system here is quite different, however - it's much more intense in many ways and children are really expected to be able to sit at their desks and concentrate for 4 or 5 hours.

And now I really am off to bed!

Nettie you sound like superwoman again - tents, breakfasts for 15, running! Poor little baby and poor parents, they must be so worried. I'm sure you are lending lots of support just by being a lovely sister.

Toffee I must try menu4mums, getting slightly bogged down with the cooking again. I keep thinking I'm going to make some nice composite dish, but run out of time and revert to more obvious solutions which I know everyone will eat Today we had three sittings. Ds2 has his first before Cubs, dd had hers in bed, then said she felt sick at the sight of it and then ds1 and dh...after football at 7.20. I feel as if I've spent all evening plating food and washing up...

DH had a tough day at work too, I think it's the booktrade in general He said his catalogue had not sold anything so far...usually there are loads of people ringing up.

Tomorrow mornning will feel like a proper day off for you! I hope ds1 enjoys thinking about Secondary, and that it feels like a new chapter to some extent. I am so worried about ds1 and Secondary but I'm just hoping we both get through it I realised what a relief it is that he'll see the same old faces at Scouts every Monday whatever life at S holds...

Droitwich I haven't done any missions for a while I sort of vaguely know what they are, all too well....I find it difficult enough to keep up with most of the routines, alas.

P.S. for the record ladies, I didn't actually watch any Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I was much too busy trying to tidy my bedroom..

Hi, been AWOL, again! So chaotic here! DH left 17 days ago (not that am counting!) for work in Singapore, informed me today he doesn't expect to be home until July! We are moving house around June 1st, so am up to my armpits in packing, and boxes, so understandably, not getting much tidying etc done. So, shall probably be awol for around a month or so while me move and then get sorted! Shall try and pop in from time to time to say hello.
I haven't looked here since 13th May! Embarrassed to say i am not going to attempt to catch up on the thread! Hope everyone is doing well.
DD is still turning night into day, last night was 4.30am! We are reversing everything! She does sleep well, once she gets to sleep! It's just the getting to sleep! My HV says to look at it like it is a 24 hour period, and not like a day and night any more, and that helps me! I went out for a walk with her the other day at 4pm and said good morning to a neighbour!!!!
Anyway, just felt i needed to explain me being awol!

Good morning everyone,

Today's babystep is one that?s definitely worth doing: Swish and Swipe.

Today's mission is to declutter your socks and tights.

Tuesday is planning day. Here are your reminders for the day.

Good morning ladies.

Another one who has been awol.

Julie sorry about DH not being around for the move. I hope things work out well for you.

Busy day here today. Long day at work, going to be manic. For the past few months weeks, i have been lurching from one week to the next always thinking that next week will be better, but it just never is. Last week was the busiest ever, then yesterday at work it was like a whirlwind!

I am coping with rising hysteria excitement here. Tomorrow I will be working from home as I am having a sparkly new washing machine delivered and a new all singing all dancing phone, too!!
My wash bins are in serious contention for a part in an adaptation of "Day of the Triffids", but I am almost excited about spending a day doing washing tomorrow. My old washing machine has not been working properly for ages, but I resisted spending money on a new machine until it flooded everywhere last week. I am hope this machine will actually wash things and do it in less than 3 hours per load!
Phone is a Samsung Galaxy S. Whoop Whoop!!!!! DCs are convinced that I wont know what to do with it, so I am determined to prove them wrong!

Feeling a bit spaced out this morning. I had been asleep for 3 hours when DD arrived home in the middle of the night, in a state. She was a snivelling wreck and I thought she had crashed her car again, but no.... she just couldn't park it outside out home. So, mummy got up, dressed and parked the car for her, then was awake for the next 2.5 hours.

Right today:
Clean out washroom, so that the old machine can be removed and space for new one cleaned.
Try to get to work on time.
Job No1 -
Directly onto job number 3 over lunchtime.
Spag bog for tea
Swimming tonight
If time between work and tea, I need to hoover the hallway.

Realistically that is the sum of today's plan. Doesnt look a lot, does it?

Oh well. Have a good day everyone.

Hi all.

nettie fingers crossed for your neice.
julie I have nothing but admiration for you, coping with all that on your own!
PA hurray for washing machines! Some clever BB2 boffin declared the washing machine as the most significant invention of modern life as it liberated women from domestic drudgery! (hmm maybe mine's not working properly ).

Well unfortunately Roman Day didn't go too well. Ds marched proudly to school dressed in tin foil and came truding home looking defeated. All he would say was 'next time we have to dress up can you buy my costume' .

Still today's another day and DS has his last judo session when they award a trophy to the best boy and girl (oh dear). Better make sure we've got something nice for tea .

Hectic start to the day here. DS didn't want to go into kindergarten because he didn't have any socks with him (he had his sandals on, but the children have to change into slippers at kindergarten; the teacher said she could lend him some socks, but no ? he wanted his own), then he insisted on looking at the class photo album (which will cost ?30 ). Poor DD1 was standing outside waiting for about 10 minutes. Got the girls off to school on their bike and scooter and then went for my run, dropping off DS's socks on the way.

Feel like collapsing in a heap now (although my day is nowhere near as hectic as yours, PA), but I have to work. It's getting too hot for this running lark, but I just know I wouldn't have the energy to go running in the evenings and the only other alternative would be to get up at 5 am, which even for me is a tad early.

missjulie Good luck with the move; sorry to hear that your DH won't be around to help. It must be so difficult with him being away for so long at a time.

scatty How frustrating about the Roman uniform ? after all the hard work you'd put into it too.

Now have just over two hours left of the morning, so had better get back to work.