April Flylady. In which you’ll find Cake for the Fledglings and Compassion for the Frazzled. All welcome as we sort our houses out!

[Cagliostro]

Hello everyone,
Welcome to the Flylady thread for April, where we follow (sort of) the Flylady system with baby steps, missions, daily focuses (foci?!) and decluttering. But more than that, we are a supportive bunch where we share the trials and tribulations of everyday life. We post our to do and ta da lists and chat a whole lot.
Newbies, lurkers and returners always welcome!
Back tonight with links for tomorrow!

She’s growing so fast! Sits up quite well, babbling and chatting away like crazy, and definitely ready for food 😱 she also had her first bath without the chair at all today. Thinking of the positives, it can be packed away now. But also :( :(

I’ll catch up on all the exciting Ikea talk tomorrow, just dropping in with a list.

ta da
✅wrote another list. A bit over ambitious today given how tired we were so there were a few things we didn’t do like pack up more board games and cleaning behind the telly.
✅Caglets put clothes away, I did baby’s but ours remain in the basket
✅gathered a bit more stuff for charity, along with what we collected a couple of weeks back we now have six bags full going tomorrow
✅exercise - managed much more of the dvd than when I was doing it before
✅medicines dropped off by DH so they’re out of the house now
✅more packed boxes put away by DH
✅bath (and shaved my legs 😮)
✅sorted old baby clothes - they are pretty much all in bags by size and type ready for me to decide what goes to whom
✅family fun playing a new game
✅threw away a fair bit such as bathroom empties and old undonateable cushions
✅put all DVDs away, realised we don’t need to buy a new case yet as I will go through soon and chuck a load of music CDs, we don’t listen to most of them and I may treat myself to Spotify when we move.
✅started collecting some random crap, the Caglets did really well with this actually and did it quite slowly and sensibly, throwing what they could away and putting plenty of things in their homes too, so not much actually made it into the bags. A far cry from my usual stash and dash chaos. Basically I’m just trying to amalgamate what’s left of the “what the actual hell do I do with this random thing” stuff.
✅phoned hospital about appt, I have to see an endocrinologist about a weird test result (thyroid)

Not a bad day really, tomorrow DH is off again, but has to take DD to ballroom (and donate stuff to the chazzer next door). Not sure what the plan is really but any more progress would be brilliant. Front room looks a lot better now that the boxes of games have been moved, but definitely need to rearrange stuff. It will always be scruffy in here TBH as we have to keep the buggy and car seat etc but I can finally see the wood for the trees and reckon we could make things a lot better.

I want to pack up more games and then rearrange what’s left so there’s cupboard space for everything else. For example moving the DVD cases so they are easier to access, and the craft drawers could move somewhere (sadly none of the other ideas I had for that will work size wise, it’s annoying as it’s behind the table at the moment which means they are hard to access and thus not used properly). In a way it all feels rather pointless since we hopefully won’t be here too much longer but if a little effort can help us manage what we have better while we stay here, that has to be worth it right? If this place is tidier and easier to maintain then we will all be happier and find it easier to pack and get ready to move anyway.

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Saturday April 14th
www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-14/
No missions, last day in zone two. Daily focus is family fun which I should think I don’t really need to link to! #lazyhost
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Right Cagletini is asleep at last. Night folks.

Belated birthday wishes to your DD Zoo

I am in awe of everyone's Ikea expertise - we've got some storage in DD's room but that is the only bit of Ikea we have. Trofast I think, the one with the hanging slidey plastic boxes. It's very good and completely overstuffed

I floated the prospect of letting some soft toys go the other day. It didn't go down well. Something to work on for the future.

DD is a night owl like me and has been falling asleep very late. Activities start again tomorrow so may need to get her up and about early to tire her out before the shock of school next week! That has reminded me to charge up some electronic devices for her, she may need them when she is out and about tomorrow.

Friday Feast tonight, coated some chicken strips in breadcrumbs and did lots of veg and potato wedges/chips for DD. Trying to up the veg element of meals and reduce the rest of it.

Sleep well fledglings, I am hoping my consumption of choc biscuits and wine will do the job for me so much for the extra veg

It is crazy how fast they grow cag Ds3 is nearly 18 months and in full on tearaway toddler mode. He is always finding something to climb on / in, eat or destroy I do miss having a tiny tiny one!

cotswold we have a soft toy issue in this house. Dd has about 100 in her bedroom. We need to get rid. I did think i might just start removing some of the ones i know she doesnt bother with. But what if i scar her for life!

Happy late bday to dd2 zoo 🎂

Yes sorryzoo forgot to say happy birthday to your dd yesterday.

Cuddly toys...we have a lot too and a mind neighbour gave us another bin bag full when the dc had chicken pox which was lovely and did cheer them up but now they are everywhere! I try and put most on top of wardrobes / chest of drawers on display , then favourites in their beds but we still end up with lots appearing round the house! I was the same as a child I had loads and never let my mum take any at all in case I hurt their feelings

Ds also a full on rampaging toddler now afresh , his favourite activity is to climb as high as he can and jump . I do tend to cuddle him for longer than necessary at bed time because he is very cuddly and still has a baby smell!

Dh is working again , we are going to to to the library and the supermarket. I've got loads of work to do myself once he gets home. We are like ships passing in the night at the moment!

I really want to go to IKEA after reading all your posts but I fear I'd spend far too much!

Very excited to report I got my new bread bin yesterday

foxes! We havent discovered jumping yet! Tbh its bad enough when he runs! Like a drunk teletubie! When is your ds 2 is it aug?

Wow!
Impressed by your lists ladies.

I faded about a bit in the morning. Tidied some stuff in my room. Two washing baskets sorted found one needs ironing so when I get that done I will put it away. Other is stuff I need to chose to keep or throw. Out of fashion but very cosy cardis, really comfort blanket type. I should charity shop them. Another definitely keeping. Moths got one year but I have figured I will felt some pieces then sew on cut out flowers. Otherwise I will felt whole jumper and make cushion or handbag.
Went out for lunch afternoon with friend and good move as we both felt better for it. Really enjoyed her company as we usually meet with others as we part of a group. DH made most of tea. He puts too much on but last night I dished up and had half. I really need to lose some weight. Made cauliflower cheese sauce with sheep milk. Hoping I can have this.mmm.salmon and one and a half boiled potato. Mange tout. I had a very thin pizza when I was out. Don't often have pizza ( no cheese) but really enjoyed it. So a really lovely time as garden centre too. Privately run and very beautiful as they plant out bed between and have twists and turn so different areas. Very relaxing. Going to church thing and DH wasn't staying but now decided we will and he will go walking. Still 7-8 C here.
Still have table of random crap Cags. Things I like but just don't know where to store them.thinking about new kitchen, more storage and also if we cleared sheds we might be able to use old units to make utility out there. I wanted to join house with shed so it would incorporate it into house space but we saw one in Scotland and it looked awful. We could finally afford to do it and make tiny conservatory but think it might look stuck on and spoil look of traditional cottage because it is at side not back. Would love the space though. Washer ,drier freezer units for random crap. It has outside loo so put sink in. Use it for animal dishes. I have two and a half in kitchen. Need to get up and sort new storage while DH asleep. It means moving sofa and vacuuming under. I don't want him to see what is under there! Right up for cuppa then tackle it then ironing. Pack small bag. Would like to stay at beautiful hotel but it would involve thinking. Cosy pub means I can just throw leggings and jumper, top. In overnight bag. Anniversary. We don't usually go away but as we are down there anyway may as well have one night in hols.

afresh made me LOL at the vision.

I can remember the dive bombing! Especially DS2 he was large for his age( now 6 ft) and would dive off sofa arm just drop from about 14 mths( early walker) scary. Also they used to cushion the other side of sofa and drop off the back. Ds1&2. Foxes😁

Hills meant to ask are you feeling any better?
Caglitini bless her she sounds so gorgeous. Can't believe you got all that stuff done Cags put me to shame. I have been quite lazy this hols. Still feeling very tired. Maybe bloods will throw something up. This lot more detailed.

afresh 2 in September
Yep he climbs the sofa and jumps off the arms, he likes climbing onto a little ride on toy and jumping off that while dd pushes it to add an element of danger .

Ta da
Changed the throw on the sofa due to drink spillage first thing this morning
Breakfast

Aww they will start school at same time then

Ds3 pushes his ride on to the baby gate and stands on it. He is clearly planning his escape.

Ta da

Wash on
Dryer on
Dry washing sorted
One worktop wiped
Cot stripped

This is making me very nervous for when Cagletini gets mobile 😬😱 really hope we’ve moved by then as this house is not toddler friendly at all. 😳

I’m impressed and slightly scared by Cordelia’s Ikea knowledge :o I will no doubt be picking your brains when we know the layout of the new house.

I have no knowledge really but one thing I would say is that removable drawers/boxes (or wheeled storage) would be much better for keeping toys tidy than in built drawers, IME. As the DCs can just take the drawer out and clean up quicker rather than having to take armfuls into the cupboard and empty them into the drawers IYSWIM.

Bleary eyed this morning.

ASD memory helps Cag. I wish I used it's gifts to memorise more useful things, but no, it's the ikea catalogue and the works of L M Montgomery.

Ta da
Wrapped birthday present for nephew
Got together bag of stuff for my sister and another one for Mum
Cleaned tumble dryer condenser
Swept kitchen floor
Cleared out fridge
Emptied all vases and washed them
Put away Ocado order

To do
Take children to open farm day
Flop a bit at my parents. DS is a bit better, but it's starting to be wearing. I hope his sleep returns to normal soon as the sofa bed in his room is not a long term solution.

I'm liking all the descriptions of daredevil toddlers. Makes me think DS is completely and utterly normal. I don't remember being so worried about DD, but DS climbs like a cat. We've just put a stairgate on DD's room as he could not be kept out of there, and it's a paradise of choking hazards, pens, glue, scissors and DD's precious treasures.

I am going to be organised next week. It's going to be a week of practising doing packed lunches and nursery runs for when I start the new job.

TBF it’s more useful than my own ASD memory things, which are things like all the states of America. Pub quiz anyone?

Cag you are already winning ds was walking by 6 moths and climbing by 7months. that is nerve wrecking because the word no means absolutely nothing! Cagletini will be fine. ignores fact that ds could scale the stair gate by 12months Ds always was a bit... er... precocious?

Yesterday's to do list did not get done yesterday and has ended up as today's to do list:

To Do/ta da.
clean the benches off
make up sugar soap
clean kitchen from ceiling and down *top half done
empty 3 cupboards 2 done
clean down the cupboards 1st done
put clean dishes from dishwasher away in the clean cupboards
Put the contents from cupboards into the dw 1st load on
Couple more loads of washing. 2nd is on
Hand wash some wool socks
clean out the slow cooker
Mop the kitchen floor 3 times done 2 times already
hoover out the cooker fan
clean down the cooker fan
clean down the cooker

Ta da
Daily routine
Library books changed
Picked up groceries

Like a proper idiot I clipped our front fence with the car when we got back . Does anyone else just randomly do stupid stuff like this or is it just me?! So annoyed with myself

I managed to throw out both the old AND new National Trust cards the other day Foxes.

I have no doubt that if I could drive I would do that frequently. But then I’m the kind of person who always drops things, gets my belt loop caught on the door handle, etc.

Walking at 6m 😱😱😱😱😱 blimey. My other two were about 12m so pretty average IIRC. My friend’s third was walking at 8m and she’s been delighting in warning me about precocious daredevil third children 😂 mind you Cagletini is picked up and cuddled so much by the other two (as well as me and DH I mean not instead of) that she’s not really getting much chance to figure stuff out for herself 🤔 she hates tummy time as well. The other two loved it.

Just had a lovely walk in the sunshine. We have been utterly unproductive today, and I was stagnating on the sofa with a grumpy tired Cagletini so I shoved her in the buggy and went to the shop. I may have rewarded myself with a pastry. Also bumped into an old friend so caught up with her a bit.

My third was the lazy one cag Did everything gross motor wise 2-3 months later than the rest

My third also lazy-but this may have been worsened by reversal chromosome...he still won't stand if can't sit,sit if can lay down

We've been out over local nature reserve for a walk,wild bunnies were out grazing.was awesome😍😍😍😍

I have such a nasty case CBA it's embarrassing.placd hovel,no daily routines done properly couple days...and it shows.BADLY

Ah yes, the golden days when you could pop your baby on a blanket and know that they'd be in the same place when you got back. You wouldn't come back in to the room to find they'd pushed their leg through the handle of a stand-up toy for instance, or greet you with the single word 'stuck'. Hypothetically, of course.

Gorgeous day weather-wise here, DD is out with DH this afternoon so I've been shopping (just for a change) purchasing useful items for the costume due in the near future. When did sewing thread get so expensive?!

Done a few loads of laundry to take advantage of the fabulous drying weather outside especially as the new bigger rotary line is up now. If it continues at this rate, I may even be able to close the lid of the laundry basket soon squad goals

DD and DH are at an event that includes food, so I have just eaten a Crunchie out of an Easter egg - DD's egg but she doesn't like Crunchies so the choc bit will be fine.

Cag my own daughter hated tummy time and used to cry. I don't think it held her back long term tbh.

Ds3 got his leg wedged into the back of a chair today

Also serious case of CBA

Three wash loads done and two on the line. Lovely day here.

Trying push myself to arrange for older dc to see friends more outside school but hate having people even kids over becsuse of the chaos

Oh and i am seriously close to smothering UP. It is still in bed.

I don't have kids over after-school etc.i love kids,I really do.but not by 4pm when I am tired and they are irritating hungry creatures with no mouth n brain filters(your house is very untidy isn't it?!cheers never darken my doorstep again despite fact you are staying the obvious )
I too really need work on this as none zoolets have solid friendships really

Yes zoo Totally get where you are coming from. Many of our dcs schools live in posh semi detatched / detatched new builds. Houses worth twice what ours is. Pretty houses. No one has ever said anything rude and tbh ours is bigger than a lot of theirs but cannot help feeling some inadequacy (is that a real word?)