Festive Fledglings Flap Frantically Towards A Calm, Clutter-free Christmas!

[SingToTheSky]

OK so clutter-free is a bit ambitious. But anyway, all welcome to join us for a jolly holiday thread, in which we very loosely follow (or at least half-heartedly mention now and then) the FlyLady system of housekeeping.

I’ll be posting links and reminding us all of various tasks up until Christmas Eve, for those who want to follow the system - and if it’s like previous years there will also be some specific extra missions to help us prepare our homes for Christmas. However, we really are just a bunch of frazzled Mumsnetters who will be very happy to welcome you along for chat whether you follow the system or not! We discuss housework, sure, but a whole lot of other stuff too.

We will also continue with the Keep Calm Corner, in which you’ll find various diverting questions, memes etc.

And finally a huge thank you to Foxes who did a fab job of running the thread for the first time in November! 💐

Ladies, I hope you are sitting comfortably because this will be a long one.

Dancing yes, he started smiling purposefully (as opposed to when farting..) and it melts my heart. Sherin He is 6 weeks, time really flies!
Foxes and Bower wow, sounds like very special birthdays 😍
Sing I hope your DH is ok. Sounds like he has been through a lot lately.
Woolly roots in the sewer pipes does not look like a quick fix.. Sending you lots of strength for your to do list.
Zoo and Hills ☕☕☕☕💪💪💪 hope the chaos organises itslf soon.

Not many ta das so far:
🎉morning routine
🎉LOL on

I need advice re what to do with my hair.
Given:
A) I am a natural dark brown brunette with a chin length blunt bob and funky glasses. I am 32, not too many grays. When I was still pregnant I coloured my hair to ash blonde but with a blended root (if that makes sense). I keep hair toned between appointments with purple shampoo etc.
B) 6 week old breastfed baby, who refused a bottle. My original plan was to express milk and leave DS with DH whilst I am at the salon getting my hair sorted (usually takes 2-3 hours all together). That plan is not longer, as mctiny hates the bottle and will not take it - I tried yesterday. So worst case scenario it's unlikely I will make it to hair salon until he is weaned.
So my options:

1. persevere with the bottle, keep the appointment in the salon on 7th of Jan and hope for the best.
2. mobile hairdresser - to keep the blonde - while I can't get to the salon
3. mobile hairdresser - to dye colour back to natural
4. box dye back to natural

I love my blonde, but realistically I might struggle with upkeep... What would you do?

that cross post. Are you still doing crazy amount of stuff? It sounds like you are burning out. Can you drop something to make it a bit more manageable?

That :( try iron too? Can you ask for a blood test? Ferroglobin supplements are good because they don’t affect your tummy like normal iron supplements can, and they have some B vitamins in them as well I think.

I’m having reheated Chinese. 😋 This morning’s lessons were great, have also done some hoovering and only mild stash and dash 😂

🎄❄️🎁 Monday 8th December 🎁❄️🎄

Zone - 2 - kitchen

Daily Focus - planning

Today’s Mission - declutter your cutlery drawer

Today’s Holiday Mission - not updated yet so look back on the list if you want to here

✈️ FLIGHT PLAN ✈️

🎄❄️🎁 The Keep Calm Corner Advent Calendar 🎁❄️🎄

Hope your Christmas trees are safe from pets/small children :o TBH that’s one of the reasons we have decorated late each year, I dare say Cagletini would be fine now (3y1m) but I can’t be bothered to keep rectifying it if she trashes it 😂

🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻

Oops obv I meant Tuesday 8th 😳

Mc no idea about the hair but was it you trying the bottle with little beastie? Sometimes a baby will refuse a bottle from mum because they can still smell the boob 😄 but they’ll take it from dad/childminder etc. Might be worth seeing how that goes if you are not immediately available to feed?

Not sure how it works with covid rules but you might be able to feed him there (if you felt ok to) if DH brings him along in the buggy when he gets hangry? Guess that may be against regs though now.

Anyway I guess he’s feeding really frequently now but it does get easier to go longer between feeds so even if it’s impossible now it won’t be for long even if he still hates bottles 😊

I’m so sleepy and COLD!!! Am under a duvet again. The company I get my leggings from have started doing hooded blankets in funky designs. I’m tempted. I always try and wrap blankets round my shoulders and they fall off.

DH has popped out for his flu jab, may have just uttered the words “[Cagletini] please don’t sit in the duplo with a naked bottom” 🙄😂 and DS is doing some maths and Italian. I got him to put a wash in and I did a bit of tidying - friend dropped something when I was teaching so I’ve hoovered, pulled the sofa out/cover off and checked the whole duplo tub that was nearby.

I leave again at 4.15ish, one lesson at half past then continue a few minutes down the road for my other pupil at 5.15 :o I feel like I’m properly back in the swing of it now.

Woolly "refuse to drive to Milton Keynes ever again, it was a dismal hole." whole heartedly agree with this statement. Driving in milton keynes is miserably stressful.

Well today has been...
yeah.

MC my dc were both bottle refusers too but I still occasionally left them with dh even knowing they'd probably want feeding, 1) because I needed a break 2) because dh needed some time on his own and to find his own ways of comforting them even if a bottle didn't work! 3) because I wanted to see if they'd take a bottle when I wasn't there and sometimes they did!! They'd never take a bottle from me but from dh they would occasionally.

Also once they got to around 4 months I started giving them milk in a sippy cup and they got on much better with that than bottles!

Work all day today so bare minimum flying done once again.

That's a very long drive glittery I get very tired when driving too

Sing glad the lessons are going well 😊

That I don't have much advice re tiredness I'm afraid, I've been taking vitamin D too and I think it has helped me a bit but not sure. Are you eating well as I know I sometimes I'm terrible at eating a proper lunch or breakfast and my energy levels dip. I make sure I eat more for breakfast and lunch now.

Sorry to anyone I've missed! I have one eye on the kids eating their dinner...

MC btw I have no actual hair advice sorry 😂

Met my other new pupil! Went well, but they’d like one hour lessons in future. Obviously I’m pleased about the income but I have to admit I’m not relishing the thought of an hour teaching in a mask - I am full of admiration for anyone who does that on a regular basis!

They also asked about maths tuition (I forgot I still had a Facebook page from pre Cagletini - I set it up but never really used it as all my work was through referrals... I guess I should actually sort it now) which totally caught me off guard so I’m not sure about that. I’ve only taught home ed maths not as a supplement to school, so it depends what they want really (keeping up with school, extra challenge etc). Crikey.

I feel a bit more like me again though, if I’m honest. :)

:o at driving in MK. We stayed up near there once specifically to go to Bletchley Park, I can see how it would be stressful to drive round there!

Mc
I love hair and hair colouring.

First I would say don't box dye it yet.

I would keep your salon appointment, ring and tell them you have a little baby at home. They might be able to make your appointment time shorter by not blow drying your hair straight...so just quick blow dry. Or they might think of a way of doing a quicker/rushed colour.

I think let the salon or mobile hairdresser take it to a chesnut brown as it will be alot more easier to colour at home if you need to in the future.

A mobile hairdresser was brilliant for me when my baby was born and tiny. She had worked at Toni and Guy so was amazing at doing my hair colours. It was alot more affordable and I was close to baby.

I myself have just given up all the lovely highlights and lowlights in my hair to go for a overall colour. I thought it would be easier to box dye if I can't get to the hairdressers due to lockdowns. I noticed alot of people on the tv are going for more overall colours and I think for the same reason. Its easier to maintain if you have to do it yourself.

How often do you want to maintain your hair colour? Its a lovely thing to do for yourself, esp after having a baby. Go and get your hair done, at a salon or a mobile dresser- you will feel a million dollars. You will look lovely whatever colour you choose!

After you get your hair done, get lots and lots of pictures with Mc tiny!

Got to go the Fraggles are singing A B C really really loudly in my ear...

That i hope you are ok, you sound exhusted. I agree, are you missing any meals? Kale is great for boosting low energy.
is it worth getting checked with some blood tests? Sending you a huge hug!

Hills you job sounds really stressful. I can understand. Do you have a friend you can chat about it as well in irl? I hope today was abit better than yesterday. Sending you a huge hug too.

Aaah I missed SC! Hope you’re well if you’re still reading. I’m missing hearing about all your Christmas prep this year.

Hope you’re feeling a bit better today Dancing. It sounds like you were being really hard on yourself yesterday. There aren’t many mums who have never been late getting the DC somewhere. I agree, it’s the last few minutes of coat, shoes, final wee that takes the time.

Mc. Keep your hair appointment! My DD would never contemplate a bottle from me but would take it from DH if I left the room. I had to leave DD with my DM for a good few hours when she was about 10 weeks old for a mortgage appointment. I was dreading it as she used to feed constantly and I was sure she’d be inconsolable when I got home. Little minx had been no bother for her DGM, hadn’t missed me in the slightest. I soon booked my first hair appointment after that! He’ll be fine and as Foxes says it’ll be good for your DH to have a go. As to what to do with your hair - see what they suggest. My hairdresser gave me a really low maintenance cut and I grew my fringe out, but had it cut back the old way once she was about 1 and I felt like me again.

Woolly at Northumberland or Canada. There’s a bit of a difference and warn him about the north east weather, but Northumberland would love to have him! Yak to all the driving.

KCC- best birthday was my 30th when DH arranged a surprise party for me. He did really well with the organisation and it was a brilliant night. I was chuffed to bits as I never thought anyone would ever do that for me.

Hope you get some rest That and Hills.

Yesterday I managed the dusting and hoovering upstairs, made soup, did some ironing (bare minimum) and got the bathroom cleaned including another section of the floor scrubbed with a toothbrush. Card making was fun (but my tidy living room didn’t last long - see pic) and we wrote out her cards for nursery too. I did manage to clear up the mess before tea.

Today’s flying has been limited due to work and being in a can’t be arsed mood Kitchen is sort of done and I’ve done DD’s Christmas jumper on a quick wash for tomorrow as it’s their Christmas lunch day. Early night for moi. 👋

Sherin I often feel guilty that I spend too much time at home. We do tend to have sort of outing once or twice a month and I try and get outside every day, but I’m naturally a lazy homebird and I often let the weather keep us in. It sounds like you’re doing plenty to me, and I do think it’s important for little ones to get plenty of down time at home as well as fresh air and a chance to explore.

Hi everyone, god I’m shattered today. DD has been a terror today, she complained about everything. She’s asleep now and I very much hope she’ll be in a better mood tomorrow because I felt like ripping my hair out today. I’m feeling a bit better than yesterday, still sniffly but much better. We watched the gruffalo and the gruffalo’s child today, DD loved them. We also made cake, it was lovely (pics attached) DD did most of it herself!

bower I hadn’t thought about steam, if I still feel bad tomorrow I’ll try that!. Thank you for your suggestions, before COVID I’d meet up with a few mum friends but we can’t do that anymore really. My village is quite big, there’s not really much need to leave it and I don’t very often because it’s such a faff getting the bus, so I’ll only go out of the village if a friend/family member can drive us.

Thanks ED, I just see so many people on social media constantly going out with their kids I worry a bit that I don’t go out enough. Glad to hear the broadbands a bit better.

Great phrase zoo I’m feeling like that too!.

Dancing good going on getting there earlier. It’s lovely that the DC are getting involved.

Thanks wooly, we go out twice a day to walk the dog and I try and make some fun when we’re on our walk, sometimes I’ll do a scavenger hunt or something. It’ll probably feel different when she starts playgroup in September because I’ll feel like she’s interacting with others a bit more. Sorry about the drains and the drive around MK!.

I’m glad you had a nice day sing, and that your lessons went well. You sound really positive about them it’s lovely to hear. I hope your DS is okay. I’ve spent most of the day under my blanket too!.

Could you get some blood tests done that? I hope you start feeling better soon.

Aww that’s a lovely age Mc, he sounds gorgeous!. I’d still keep the appointment and see if he takes the bottle for DH, as others have said he may be able to smell your milk.

up I love the pic, it looks like you had a good time!. I’m a bit of a home bird as well but I don’t want that to restrict the DC, hopefully I can plan to do a few more things after this is all over but I think based on my finances and travel it’ll probably be free days out.

ta da
Home bleugh I forgot to do yesterday
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
LOTS of laundry and washing up
Walked ddog twice
Sorted through cutlery drawer
Went through DD’s toys/wardrobe and bagged things we don’t use anymore to donate to charity

Will be honest Dancing it is the home life that is really really stressful and what i want to disappear from. Work is not the worst, although the cock up doesn't make me feel great, although i had been warning the bosses for a while i was struggling to stay on top of things with the covid restricted conditions we were operating under between 1st and 2nd lockdowns. Minor cock up in the grand scheme of things. Just very overwhelmed atm

ta da
🎼helped get stroppy 3yo ready for nursery (glad I got her stuff ready last night)
🎼LOL
🎼quick panic tidy (not particularly panicky)
🎼cleaned piano and seat
🎼downstairs loo S&S
🎼aired ground floor
🎼vacuumed
🎼piano lessons x2
🎼stripped sofa and vacuumed under cushions
🎼pulled sofa out and vacuumed under/behind it
🎼vaguely prodded DS to do some more work (he’d done some with DH upstairs during the lesson)
🎼checked duplo tub for random extras (really should do this for all toys I dread to think what random crap lurks in those tubs)
🎼piano lessons x2
🎼picked up reed diffusers and long sleeved tops
🎼walked home (really happy with how much easier that feels lately)
🎼GOT CAGLETINI TO SLEEP IN HER OWN BED
🎼fainted in shock

Ok the last one is hyperbole but I’m basically about to go and crash in bed now because we are both totally knackered and it’s likely we will be asleep before the older two 😱

Thank you for all the tips, everyone! 😍

DH had no luck with the bottle either. I bought a different teat to try, hopefully it will arrive soon.
Foxes that's very good to know about sippy cups. I shall put them on my 'to buy' list for that age.
Unfortunately DH is not really good at handling a crying baby. He gets flustered and hands him to me immediately. Even playing is an issue, but DH is getting better at playing with him, but I can still see some awkwardness.

Dancing I sense a fellow hair enthusiast 😁 I usually get my hair coloured every 2-3 months, depending on what's happening on my head. Looks like I will need to go back to more forgiving colour for the time being..

Sing that's a cracker of a list you have there! Is this Cagletini's first night in her own bed? Congratulations on this milestone!

The rest of ta das from today:
🎉Indoor plants watered
🎉 Downstairs hoovered
🎉Kitchen kinda cleaned and DW rotated.
Tomorrow is another day.

You girls have the good fortune to have me to say starting saving for your sixtieth now and you to can have an amazing birthday. It was so relaxing too. It was part of Celtic Castles and they had an offer on. I got my friends the suite. It had stonewalls and a huge sunken double bath. When we went in my best friend didn’t realise we were in part of their suite you see I didn’t tell them they thought it was a little sitting room before you got to their room. My bestie filled up when I said” Do you like it? “ and realised it was for them. They had had such a shit year. Her DH had take ill at their son’s wedding and had to be taken to hospital and they had booked the night at the hotel instead they spent it in intensive care. Other things happened too so it was great they could come and have a really relaxing time. The staff were lovely not at all snotty they wanted to make your stay special. I nearly didn’t do it because of the cost and DH wouldn’t ask for the time off so he didn’t go. Sometimes you just have to have the memory and to hell with the cost. I have always been careful with money so I find it had to do.

I have been out today. Went into the small town and I actually enjoyed it. We walked around and went to a new gift shop with some local people’s things so ask about DDs taking work in. Then went to several charity shops. I am on the look out for a particular author. She had a Lakeland series and we kept seeing those but I am now reading the Cotswold series. Anyway I got one and another Christmas novel. Never had one before. I also found an Apple iPad cover. My DS1 bought one but it has now split. He got a shock when he found out how much they were. Today’s bargain was £4 in a luminous pink whereas I had sophisticated black before. At least I won’t lose it. I bought two decorations and a very topical card for BF. DH bought a book too. Then we went and did some shopping. DH bought a Black Forest trifle it was rather yummy I had a spoonful. From Sainsbury’s. So a good couple of hours out. I made a prawn curry for tea.Went to see the new window which thankfully was nearby.

ED I was going to go to the Edinburgh Christmas Market 😢😭but now can’t. My niece lives there isn’t she lucky. She went to uni there and has lived in several areas. I haven’t been to any of her flats but when we are allowed we are going to this one taking a table for her.
I love Edinburgh.
Sing I love that snippet about Cagletini.

Brr it is cold in here.i need to snuggle down.

Didn’t realise there was unanother page. Will post tomorrow as so tired,

Foxes I've been taking vit d and I think it's been helping. I've taken vit b and c supplements too. All in all I do have more energy.

Bower your 60th sounds fabulous
I think you were right to make it really special. 'No pockets in shrouds' and all that.

I've been reading through everyone's posts from MC's hair to Dancing's a b c singing fraggles and Hill's busy work days. I know I haven't been posting much but I've been flat out on Ds's room. It's finished now - we are at the airing stage so that the paint smell goes. He has his flu jab on Friday so we'll move him in on Saturday. Also had a zoom NHS hospital consultation about my busted lip - technical problems with the call so reverted to phone consult in the end. Oh and all the GPs at my primary care practice have walked out in protest at new management structures - they've resigned en masse. It's a bit notorious here so when the receptionist in the hospital read out my GP practice she burst into giggles as did I. Technically I'm out of catchment and should be listed elsewhere but that's another story.

I can't wait to get the house sorted - there's stuff everywhere (wails). There is no floor space in my boudoir.

By no pockets in shrouds I meant that you can't take it with you - I'm not suggesting that 60 is old 🙂