There's no fooling an April fledgling flyer

[MiniMarmite]

Welcome to the April edition of the fledgling flyers where shower screens are shiny and rain never stops play.

Here you can do any of the following:

• repeat or start baby steps (again!)

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

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

This is what it's all about - Babysteps each day to try to get some order back into our home with LOADS of support from our regulars.

So join in! We start this thread on April 1st (no joke), but you are welcome to dive in at any point in the month.

Splish, splash, swish and swash along to reserve your place...

MM - I work with my H (its technically our business but I try not to be too involved this week) so I can basically start my maternity leave when I've finished my work! Day to day stuff has been taken over but I've got a couple of end of year things to do and then the time will be mine! I suspect it'll take a couple of weeks.

Slug - sometimes you do come down when a stressful time is all over. Please take it easy and enjoy a break.

swan - insist on your break. Children are hard work!

purple - take it as motivation! Although I didn't realise how much nicer it was to have people come to calm not chaos until I managed to get some calm sorted out (downstairs only, upstairs except the bathroom is still a tip!) It never stopped me having people round, but now I feel proud of how my house looks!

Linzer - evening routines are really helpful for me, particularly when I need to try to get out the house at a decent time and I know that there are clean clothes for everyone and the nappy bag is all packed!

Today I'm getting some jobs done

• blood test for kidney function (just in case as I'm fine!)
• trip across town to take some forms in to get my free nursery place!

- finish gathering paperwork for council tax benefit as it needs to be in for the end of the week. - sort some more baby clothes so I know where to find things over the next few months

House is quite shiny downstairs so my routines won't take too long, particularly as I'm not getting DS back till after my blood test (H is dropping him off with SIL so I don't have a toddler running around where there are needles!)

brain not working - I try not to be too involved in the business any more (after the split)

Morning all, the kettle is on!

mrsD well done waves to DS for his Beaver badge!

Today;

tidy kitchen
table [hotspot]
put laundry away [inc ironing]

Pilates class at lunchtime

swan - hope your travel plans don't get mucked up again
chairmum - hope you can unwind from your business without being continually needed to do "just 5 mins"...

Happy flying everyone!

Purple - I'm lucky that the only things I have to do are specific end of year big stuff, so once this is all cleared I will be free! I get on well with my replacement and she only works a few hours a week so even if he has questions they won't be too time consuming.

It'll be easier than last time when I was much more involved in running the business and H wanted me to help him with a quote when DS was 5 days old!

Morning all,

Quick list,

Morning routine - done
Washing - on line
School run - done
Dinner in slow cooker - done (Coq au Vin)
DEclutter bedroom - didn't do yesterday, putting away 3 lots off washing was enough. DCs have huge clothes piles as I only put it in their rooms at night, don't dare start opening wardrobes when they are asleep, so I will tackle those
General tidying of DCs bedrooms - have been quite slack on these through holidays, and want to be able to hoover them sometime this week.

See you all later

Morning everyone,

Work finished (for now) and coffee is on, so things are looking good! I'm going to attempt a slightly more ambitious list today as DD1 is going to a friend's after school so I'm child- and (hopefully) work-free for almost another four hours.

Done so far:
Emptied dishwasher
Cleared away breakfast things
Made beds
Drunk large glass of water (am I the only one who needs to put water on their to-do list?! Otherwise I would only drink tea and coffee and wine.)

Still to do:
Rest of morning routine
27 declutter in kitchen (I know we're in the bedroom, but I'm on the fling boogie thread too...)
Missions (which probably need doing in the DC's rooms far more than mine)
15 min declutter in bedroom (ditto)
Letter to bank
Invoice

missbennett Glad your mum is OK now. I find coffee and chocolate helps in any number of situations.

slugbrains Hope you're feeling OK; I find that things often look much better after a good night's sleep. Well done on your willpower for keeping away from the computer for a few days; I would miss the motivation this list provides, but would get so much more done otherwise...

swanriver Sounds like you've had a lovely time despite being stranded, but I can imagine you're looking forward to being back home. Hope you have a good journey back on Thursday.

Chairmum Hope the blood test goes OK. Will your DS be starting nursery soon? I have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief when DS started nursery - far more than when the DDs started, as he was much harder work!

Waves to everyone else, I'll be back later with an update!

Hello, I am here though not very!
Was laid up in bed most of w/e with nasty flu-like bug and am still feeling pretty groggy.
As someone else said I usually just carry on when ill but couldn't this time. DH was brilliant, looked after DC, took them swimming, did stuff in garden/allotment and I just dozed and felt rough.

Going to take it easy this week though have meeting at school this evening, house looks like a bombsite due to sunny weather and close proximity to the park plus DH did all the other stuff but just doesn't see the housework , flat still isn't let and we have next Car Boot Sale on Sunday!!

Today I will have to:

• fill in insurance form for boy cat and drop off at vet's
• some work as haven't touched anything all Easter and its invoicing time next week
• sleep on sofa watch video with DS
• put up banners re Car Boot Sale
• go to school info meeting about Yr2 SATS (some parents have been asking how they work etc, I just want to know that DD will have no idea she is doing anything different)
• attempt routines
• early night

Evening all,

Well, second day back and I have again resisted collapsing in a heap, in fact I even did stuff before work! linzer, how are you doing in our 'challenge?'

Before work I:-

Quick tidy round
washing on line
washing on
cleared breakfast pots

Tonight I have:-
put washing on line
put washing on
washing up
tidied up
bathed DD
S/S bathroom while bathing DD

Have still got to:-
put pots away
cook dinner
DC's to bed
clothes for morning
Schoolwork

Can't do mission because DH has come in from work and gone to bed..what a shame .

feetheart DS is also about to his SATS, like you I just want to know that there will be absolutely no pressure on him, he's only in Year 2 by 9 days and still a baby really (although I suspect I will still be calling him my baby when he's a 6ft strapping teen )

mrsd well done to ds for his first beavers badge. DS also got his first a couple of weeks ago, very proud mummy moment had

chairmum hope blood test went alright.

sr sorry to hear your stranded but I suppose you couldn't be in a better place than at your mum's, no added costs etc. to contend with. Sounds like you need a break though!

slugbrains you take care of yourself you

missb glad to hear your mum is ok

teamcullen lol at headteacher in Bay of Biscay. I suspect ours (who is stuck in South Africa) is probably doing his DW's head in. He's a workaholic at the best of times (v young secondary head, only 32 when appointed) and he's been answering work e-mails and communicating with staff and parents when I bet his DW just wants him to get on and get them home .

Anyway, enough procrastinating. Am going to put DD to bed and then get on. Back later.

It sounds like you're racing ahead of me, ellie - I'm going to have to get my flying skates on! But at least I haven't collapsed in a heap (yet) either. I just knew I shouldn't have made that ambitious list earlier - no sooner was I feeling proud of myself for getting my morning routine done and looking forward to tackling the missions etc than work arrived... So that took up the rest of my child-free time; I've decided to catch up now though.

So far I have:
done a quick tidy up downstairs
mopped the kitchen and hall floors
put the DC to bed

DH is unexpectedly home this evening - he was supposed to be flying to a conference in Warsaw today but his flight was cancelled at the last minute and the overnight train was fully booked, so he's going by train tomorrow morning instead. He's now busy e-mailing people he was supposed to be meeting there this evening, so I'll leave him to it and go and do a mission or two (it will have to be in our bedroom now as the DC are all in bed). BBL with a progress report (that should stop me suddenly deciding to collapse in a heap after all!)

Well, fairly good today, have done all the usual S&S, washing etc. Tackled DD's clothes pile and untidy floor but didn't get too far with DS, we decided instead to spend 15 mins looking at a book about Iceland as it is the topic of the moment.

DCs are going itno a frenzy of excitement right now as the funfair has just arrived on the green near our house to set up for the weekend, it is twice a year, they have been counting the days for about a month, costs us a small fortune evry time .

Linzer hope DH gets to Warsaw OK, that must be a fair old way overland.

Ellie - what badge did DS get? My DS got a road safety one, at last his obsession of a couple of years ago with traffic lights has come in handy. They've got a St George's Day parade on Sunday to look forward to.

Feetheart take it easy, hope you are feeling better soon

PurpleWeds - you have reminded me I really must dig out my pilates DVD and feel about how much easier it was pre DCs.

Chairmum hope you get your end of year stuff done OK.

SR hope journey back goes to plan

Waves to everyone else, off to try and finish off a few more jobs before collapsing in the proverbial heap. Does anyone remember me saying in January that I was going to crochet a new winter hat for DD? I finished it last night! Just in time for summer. I had to do it 3 times before it came out right, but does look very sweet now. Hope it still fits in the autumn...

Evening ladies,

Life has been a bit manic here for a few days, so not been able to ge ton here! Every time I switch the computer on something has happened. DS decided it would be a good idea to have marshmallows and chocolate in the waffle maker, on top of his waffles. Has anyone any idea how sticky that stuff gets and how far it actually goes when melted. He has trashed my waffle maker and managed to get sticky goo all over the kitchen tops. Then last evening Dh was playing football in the garden with DS and managed to fall and damage his ankle. Refused to go to casualty and cannot put his foot down to the ground.
I've had friends DCs here today while she goes to her in-laws funeral up the country. Loads of teenage boys = loads of noise and energy + empty fridge = knackered me in need of a bottle glass of vino!

Right, everyone seems to have been busy.

MissB - Sorry that your mum still feels unwell. I hope her restful week makes a difference.

MM - what lovely colleagues you have.

Teamcullen & Ellie - Lots of extra work for you at schools, then. Dsis is a teacher and she was on the last flight from Lanzarote last week. She is well miffed that she is not still enjoying the sunshine, but is here doing the work of about 3 teachers at once!
Ellie - you are certainly flying like a supersonic jet plane at the moment.Hold onto you hat, girl!

MrsD - re the sandwiches - I am really crafty. Right from the first day at school/nursery I have made life easy for myself. I make the sandwiches (Yes, they all like different stuff) but I wrap them and line them up in age order on the work top. Then the DCs are responsible for picking up the pack and taking one thing each from 3 "boxes". One is the fruit bowl, one a savoury box and one a treat box. Bottles on top for them to fill up. Simples! Well, most of the time. When DS was younger he would pinch any of the girls that had already been done, which meant that they would get to school and have an empty lunchbox!

Chairmum - How are you doing? You sound as if you are really on top of everything really.Dont expect too much from yourself.

PW - I would go with the "sleepwhenbabysleeps" routine. Housework will still be there tomorrow.

Swan - Sounds like you are making the most of your stranded status. Certainly owed a weekend off, though.

Linzer - Oh dear. After your planned 4 hours! Oh well, at least you get paid for being busy with work.

Feetheart - Big > you have been missed. Sorry you are feeling poorly. SOunds as if DH has earnt a few brownie points. Hope you are fully recovered soon.

Well, thats a mammoth catch up! Waves to everyone I have missed. Someone asked when SC was back, I dont think she knew how long she was going to be away for, but will be back before next week, volcano permitting!

Just noticed I ahve managed to not actually say what I have not done today. I ahve survived. Thats my biggest acheivment for today. Tomorrow could be better.

X-posted MrsD - I am sure the hat is beautiful! Well doen for finishing it.

MrsD - you might be intersted in looking here

Evening All,

I'm watching Heston's Titanic meal ...then I have to dial into a work meeting for two hours .

Welcome back MissB and so glad to hear your Mum is ok.

Slugforbrains sounds like a good plan, take care, we'll be here when you're ready to come back x

Hi SR I'd started to wonder where you were but my little brain hadn't put two and two together that you might be stranded!

Oh, yes, I think you mentioned about the business before now I think of it Chairmum. Hope you get everything done you need to do and that your blood tests are ok.

Hope you enjoyed pilates PurpleWednesday MrsD a great start again I see and well done of finishing the hat .

LOL Linzertorte in this house we only drink water, tea, and wine (not necessarily in that order)!

Sorry to hear you have been unwell Feetheart but glad to hear that DH was a star (housework notwithstanding).

Ellie impressed at your busy FLYing day plus work!

PA well done on surviving today, I think the marshmallows would have done it for me (although it does sound quite yummy)!

Well, I'd better dash and post tomorrow's links.

Morning All

A reading one today, courtesy of WebDude Lee (apparently)!

We're still in the Master Bedroom for decluttering and missions...I have found my floor now so that's a start!

Have a great day, my day off, hurray!

Once again I've managed to stay up well beyond my bedtime, but I have got quite a bit done including - for the first time ever - my entire evening routine.

Done:
Shined (shone?) sink
5 min room rescue in playroom (not that you can tell)
Put clean dishes away and dishwasher on again
Letter to bank
Invoice

MrsDinky It's 8 hours by train from Vienna to Warsaw, so not too bad although DH isn't particularly looking forward to it. Although he has a book and no DC to keep entertained - I'm almost !
I wish you could teach DD1 to crochet a hat; she loves crocheting but can only manage to produce a long string-like item (possibly a scarf for a very small doll) at the moment!

PA It certainly sounds like you've been having a hectic time. Survival is underrated. Reading about chocolate and marshmallows is making me feel hungry - but not the ideal combination in a waffle maker perhaps!

MiniMarmite Well done on finding your floor; that's something I need to work on in the DDs' bedroom!

Night all!

Just popping in to say hi and well done to Ellie for stepping up and filling the shoes left by SC and MM who were both amazing
I think you will make a fab leader

And MrsD did you get my email? and congrats on first Beaver badge. We are on the waiting list for when he is 5.75 YO

Well done on floor finding MM and to Linzer for the evening routine. Its the one I NEVER miss, as I cant see straight in the mornings, and so having the bowls on table, cup by kettle ready filled with tea bag and book bags by door with shoes, keys, phones etc makes life so much nicer doesnt it?

waves to everyone else

Good morning Ladies.

flying through here this morning. DS has a dentist appointment and then rush into work as quickly as possible as I need to leave at set time to collect DD3 from education unit. All going to be a bit of a rush today! Hair has had a fit! Looking like a total birdsnest - and that is after the shower to do a taming attack. Hairstraightners will HAVE to be my life saver in a minute! - or I will frighten the dentist!!

Should (notice the should, not will!)do later:
hoover
washing x2 at least
survive another day at work without losing my temper with anyone - seriously thinking I might give this one job up as it is a nightmare at the moment.

I will try to get to take some time before collecting DD3 to go to a local "Field of memories". Its a field of daffoldils that were not quite out properly about a week ago, so I am hoping they will be today. Its a charity run field where you pay for bulbs to be planted as a memory to a loved one. Lovely place to sit and cry (if no-one else is around) and be maudlin for a while, then stand up, shake yourself off and move on in life again. I feel I need it today!

Sun is shining and its looking like a lovely day here.
Have a good day.

Good morning,

Just dropping in quickly as I have too much work and the morning is too short for me to do much in the way of flying. This is the morning when I help out with the English lesson and I have to leave in about half an hour, and we'll also be out and about for most of the afternoon.

DTG - the only part of the evening routine I normally get done is laying out the clothes for the next day: indispensable when the DC are too tired in the morning to choose their own but awake enough to object to whatever I might choose for them. The DC were already in bed last night when DD2 called downstairs to remind me they still hadn't chosen their clothes; just as I got to the top of the stairs, DS came out of his bedroom clutching the pile of clothes (including underwear) he'd chosen for himself. I was so impressed, especially as the shirt and trousers actually matched (more than DH can normally manage when he gets DS dressed!).

PA The field of memories sounds like a lovely idea. On a more mundane note, you've reminded me that I bought some straighteners about a month ago but haven't had the courage to try them out yet - I'm slightly worried about them turning my hair into straw!

Must dash (no time for a list) but will be back this evening; having got virtually nothing done this morning, this is one evening where I really can't afford to collapse in a heap!

Got most of yesterday's list done though didn't manage work - head far too woolly/achy to tackle Sage. Think its going to be babysteps on that this week, little at a time rather than 2 mornings a week.

SATS meeting very good though would have been nice if more parents had bothered to turn up - about 12 of us from 34 who said they were coming! Much more about how they assess children throughout the school. Teachers very much on my wavelength and children have already done the tests. Most children, including DD, completely unaware so well done school

Well Done to littleDinky and Little-ellie on Beavers badges. DD got her first Brownie badge last night, for doing the Guiding Centenary Walk at the w/e - 6 miles and she wanted to go to a disco birthday party straight afterwards

List for today:

• Attempt routines
• Some work
• Fill in form for school
• wrap Dsis birthday present and post
• Early night

Currently avoiding Sage so must stop faffing on here and do something!

PA - field of memories does sound lovely, think I would like to be there not here at moment

Morning all,

QUick post at work. I actually did everything that was on my list yesterday . Today I am determined to enter into the master bedroom but we shall see.

This morning before work I have:-

Put washing on line
put washing on
tidied away breakfast stuff

Today I must:-

go get something for dinner because I don't fancy anything that is in my fridge.
washing on
Tidy downstairs
DS to swimming
Sort washing and put away
make our bed.

See you later.

Evening everyone. Life here too have been completely and utterly manic!!
DDs birthday on Monday was great but a bit rushed as it was back to school for all of us. Luckily no teachers were stranded in our tiny primary school but 6 children still are. The day was overshadowed by DH being totally stressed about needing to fly out of the country! He had meetings in Hong Kong followed by a conference (he is running) in Malaysia. Anyhow he is now on a plane to Kuala Lumpa (sp?) from Amsterdam . He ended up taking Eurostar to Brussels last night, jumping on calls this morning, a train to Amsterdam and then the flight tonight!! DMum has abandoned her holiday plans and is now taking a few days in this country instead. DS1's team won the rugby so the final is at Northampton ground in May. Hopefully all the injuries they incurred and the players who are stranded will be back!
Life is returning to normal though I feel a bit sad that DH and I didn't really say goodbye properly as we didn't really think he'd get away yesterday. I'm happy that he feels less stressed though.

Anyway enough about us!! I must do some flying this week. I manage to keep the routines in place just about , I'm just bad at the zone cleaning and I know it worked really well last time.
Today I have:
Done home blessing (yuck)
Been to Tescos
Cleaned out Rabbit hutch (Oh yes that was the other thing, the rabbit was abducted by a fox so we are down to one!)
Washing and drying - done
Ironing - to do

Hope you all have lovely evenings. BIg hugs to all on the thread!

See you tomorrow

Evening all,

How are you getting on this evening, ellie? Better than me, I'm sure - the place is a mess but I'm feeling quite tired and very fed up (mainly work-related). It doesn't help that DH is away as I could do with someone to talk to, although I did have a lovely afternoon with an English friend earlier.

optimisticmumma My DH was also very stressed yesterday about catching a plane out of the country - he ended up taking a train to Warsaw this morning (the overnight one was fully booked) and arrived a few hours ago.

Right, I need a list:

Hang up washing
Room rescues in kitchen, living room and hall
Check DD's schoolbag for tomorrow and get snacks ready
Have an early night (I'm sure I'll feel a lot better after a good night's sleep)

Linzer - you probably feel a bit out of sorts like me because both our DHs have had an uncertain start to the week! Hope you're feeling a bit better about work. I think an early night is the perfect answer. Unfortunately for me I am chief taxi driver to DS1 who will no doubt text his booking in the next hour or so. ( If I text him I'll be accused of nagging!!)

Evening Ladies

Poor little miniminimarmite has had really bad teething pain all day, bless him. Cried his way through his swimming lesson . He perked up a bit when offered chilled pineapple though .

Linzertorte well done on completing your entire evening routine, that's fabulous . Sorry you had a bad day at work and that DH is away.

Good to see you DTG how are you getting on?

PA the field of memories souds wonderful, what a great idea.

Well done to your DD on getting her first Brownie badge Feetheart. Babysteps is good.

Well done Ellie on completing your list yesterday, you had quite a lot on it from what I remember!

OM that all sounds rather eventful, how long is your DH away for? Poor rabbit . That happened to my neighbours rabbit when we were kids although she was told it escaped and ran away - she still thinks it did.

A quiet day today, waves and hugs to all - PMPY, SR, SC, DWM (anyone seen her about?) and everyone I've missed...sorry I'm flagging and can't think straight!