July's Fledgling Flyers : The dc's drive us round the bend, the school holidays descend, our sanity we will lend, and flying will be our friend

[elliepac]

Welcome to the July edition of the Fledgling Flyers where we are going to attempt to restore order in our houses, chatting as we go.

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

For those who are curious, these are the Babysteps, which we all hope will restore order in our homes and make our lives a little bit easier with lots of support (and chat, and wine, and a little more chat )

So please come and join us, old and new, from July 1st.

Took DC and friend to an adventure park for the day today, so the day was spent watching boys go-karting, playing laser quest, zorbing, etc. No flying at all, apart from putting a bit of washing away and tidying up the kitchen in the evening. But I feel a sense of achievement because, at bedtime, when I said to my oldest son, "We wanted to give you a happy day," he said, "And you succeeded!"

Morning all,

Just one more day before we fly back to the UK; I'm starting to feel quite excited now. For once, I've been quite organised and have got most of my packing done - just have some last-minute bits and pieces to do today.

DH is back at work today after our holiday (he took the rest of last week off) so I'm on my own with all three DC for the first time so far these holidays (school broke up three weeks ago, but kindergarten only finished on Friday). The DC are also very excited about our trip so I don't anticipate too many problems of the Mum, I'm bored variety (famous last words).

Toffee What your DS said was lovely; it sounds like a good day was had by all.

Nettie Well done on the loft! I really ought to think about tackling our cellar sometime, but want to get the rest of the house in some kind of order first.
DS had also been planning his birthday party for months on end; it probably won't be too long before DD1 starts planning hers (in December) but I can't even cope with the thought of another party atm!

Armed Carrot cake would be lovely if there's any left!

ellie Hope the BBQ went well and you had better weather than we did! We were also invited to one yesterday and I spent most of my time shivering as I hadn't realised quite how cold it was outside.

PA Five teenagers - wow! Sounds like you had another busy day (do you ever not?!) - hope the sleepover went well.

Off to empty dishwasher and get as much done as possible before the DC get up.
Have a lovely day everyone.

Morning all,

Didn't go to the BBQ in the end as I came down with a stinking headache so took to y bed and DH took DC's. Thankfully have woken up feeling much better this morning and ready to face the day!

The day itself consists of lots of flying this morning hopefully and then a trip to the park this afternoon I think.

List is looking like this:-

DW on
Washing on line
WM on
Tidy downstairs
Purchase new Vacuum cleaner and toy storage
Bank
S/S Bathroom
CLean DD Bedroom
As many 15 mins bursts in DS'sbedroom as I can fit in alternated with 15 min bursts in our bedroom (the 2 worst rooms in the house)

It is however round-up time .

linzer is getting ready for a trip back to good old Blighty. She has been very organised . She is also spending her first day at home alone with all DC's. We wish her luck .

toffeefudge had a warm and fuzzy mummy moment after taking her boys for a day out. .

nettie fought the loft and won! She then celebrated with some cider, what a fine idea!

AandD served us up some rustic carrot cake and at nettie's recommendation receives gold dtar of the day for her sterling work yesterday. To whom shall I bestow the next gold star?

pa was busy celebrating having 5 teenagers in her house. Happy Birthday to DD although am not sure I would be celebrating having 5 teenagers .

Big waves to sc om dwm mm admylin nickfeetheart missb and anyone else I have missed,

Better go get a shower and get on!

Toffee - what a lovely DS. Makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?

PA - would love Kensington bun recipe when you have time. Mentioned it to DH and he went a bit dreamy-looking
Hope you all survived the sleep-over?

Linzer - safe journey back to the UK. You traveling with all 3 on your own?

AandD - any carrot cake left? Think I need breakfast

Nettie - Well done on loft-clearance. That really is an impossible dream here - I moved into DH's childhood home so there is nearly 50 years of assorted cr*p in our loft, including lots belonging to his hoarder Dad who died 17 yrs ago

With regard to DH's and their inability to complete certain tasks - they are affected by force-fields which they are unable to cross. In our house these seem to be located around the washing basket (clothes dumped on top), the fridge and food cupboards (stuff used/eaten then left on worktop) and the bl**dy shoe cupboard (shoes left scattered in our tiny hall for everyone else to trip over )

Not much re-claiming of house over the w/e as juggling getting DS to 2 birthday parties, helping to run monthly car boot sale (lots of cars, no punters ), weekly shop at 8pm on Sat (don't ask!) plus pottering in garden. House hasn't descended too far back into hovel-state inspite of DH's best attempts so will continue reclaiming where I left off.

Today's list:

• Work - done some already
• Email School Assoc re plans for last 2 Boot Sales and Autumn Fayre
• Morning routine
• DC to dentist 20 miles away for check-up
• Finish finding floor in DS's room and hoover it. Move his furniture around as requested.
• Nag Persuade DD to sort out a bit more of her room. Hoarding tendencies abound in this house
• DS to swimming lesson - these go on throughout the holiday and I am going to have to work v hard not to forget them
• Tax credit renewal form (which we have left to the last minute again )
• More ironing this evening as only got half done yesterday

That's plenty! Need to get lots done today and tomorrow as I am having a wisdom tooth out on Wednesday and have ruled out the rest of the week

Have a good day everyone

Today's babystep is a diregardable e-mail one.

The mission for today is here. This week we are in the Living Room.

Happy flying!

X-posts with feetheart. Hear Hear on the DH front,particularly on the leaving stuff out on worktop. I've lost count of the number of times I've gone to bed before DH leaving a tidy kitchen and come down in the morning to find he's made himself a snack and left everything out. Grrrrr.

Oops, that was a bit long -

Morning ellie - x-posted

Good morning ladies,

Linzer hope your trip to the uk goes well. How long are you here for? Good that you are all organised and packed without stress.

Toffee Aaaahhhh DS comment just melts the heart, doesnt it. It makes everything so worthwhile. Glad you had a lovely day.

Nettie - you loft lover!!! and well done on moving the TV - Thats just what I would do if DH dared to say that I couldnt!

Ellie hope your heads ok after the BBQ.

Yesterday was exhausting!! No, I never do seem to have a quiet day - I think I would get bored!!
I do declare that 13 year old girls are the very worst. Only 2 more hours and they are going home...... I cant wait!! We took them bowling and explained that we would be returning home for a meal, so why the necessity to buy stupid amounts of crappy sweets while we are trying to bowl, having to find them for their turn to bowl. Then return for meal and surprise, surprise they are full after half a plate, then an hour later are back to the chocolate and rubbish!! GGggrrrrr!!
So today DD4 is going to be awful after lack of sleep, DS returns from a camping trip and will be crabby due to lack of sleep, DD3 is crabby at the moment as her health is not brilliant, so I predict a bad day ahead!!

Visitors arriving for the afternoon, too, so hope mine all behave until we are alone.

Manic dash around to clear up sleepover mess before visitors arrive would be good, but maybe not too realistic.
Need to go shopping, too.
may do some baking to help me relax.

Thats my list for today - not very impressive, really.

Have a good day everyone.

I x-posted with both of you!!
All up early this morning!!

Ellie it should be more commiserating than celebrating the 5 teenagers, especially after the nightmare 13 yr old girl party!

feetheart - I am terrible with swimming training over the summer with mine. I forget what day it is and we always give up half way through the hols even trying to think about it. This year I have given up already!!

Here's the recipe you asked for - Do them before Wednesday's trip to the dentist:

500g Strong plain white flour
1tsp salt
1 sachet dried yeast
75g sugar
50g butter
225ml warmed milk
1 egg
1 bag chocolate chips
a few marshmallows, chopped a bit

Put all the ingredients into the bowl, use a dough hook and mix for 4 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and prove for an hour. Roll out fairly thin to an oblong shape. cover with chocolate chips and a few marshmallows. (these spread A LOT, so spread them out and you dont need too many)
Roll the dough to a long sausage shape, then cut into bits about 1.5inches wide.
place on baking tray and leave for an hour to rise again. Bake in oven 200degrees for about 15-20 mins until light golden brown

You can drizzle with icing, or seive icing sugar over the top.

Yummiest eaten while still warm! - ENJOY!!

PA - thanks, may have to alter today's list to include buns

Hope grumpy DC grump somewhere else.

Feetheart - thank you for explaining to me why DHs are unable to complete certain tasks. Forcefields - of course! Does this apply to all males, as my DS1 also seems affected by it? When I asked him to hang up some t-shirts, I later found them in a heap on the floor of his bedroom. Clearly, the forcefield had prevented him from walking the extra step to hang them on the clothes rail. The forcefield also prevents DS2 from putting his toys back in the toy box.

This morning, I have:

picked up DH's dirty washing from the floor and the lid of the laundry bin and put it all in the laundry bin

made DS2's bed (looked tidy for five minutes, then he pulled the duvet onto the floor and made a den).

spent an inordinate amount of time trying to wash up and empty the dishwasher, whilst coping with demands from DS2, who wanted help with make and do (which I had stupidly thought would keep him quiet and busy)

rung magistrates' court because the passport office have told us we need to pay for a 'statutory declaration' to prove my DS2's name (we changed it within the first year and were given a new birth certificate, but the passport office won't accept this and want 'proof' of his new name )

allowed DS2 to watch a DVD so I can actually finish above task, empty bins, chuck papers into recycling and get dressed

I remember why school holidays are stressful now. It's just a different source of stress.

Going for a walk with a friend and her son this afternoon. Getting out of the house is a good idea at times like this.

Will try and do the mission later.

Morning. oh actually better make that afternoon. just realised it is lunch time. Sorry ladies carrot cake is now all gone but an safety say that leaving it ot over night softened the edges and made it nice and moist. going to have to hide it for a day next time it is made. blink and you missed it approach is taken to cake in this house

Ds is still in school for a few more days. He breaks up wednesday. so have made the most of it and grouted the table top and 6 or 7 coasters. was short grout and will need to make a tiny bit more up before can finish. that will have to wait for another day. now have sore shoulders.

Today's list is short:
putting clean bedding on bed
finish curtains that werent done yesterday.
school open day
car tax
DW
kitchen

We have force fields in this house. but it affects more then the men folk. I am currently kicking ass and throwing my weight about loading something straight into dishwasher/emptying dishwasher and dumping stuff in lounge. I might win with the dishwasher. Mum reckons it is a losing battle re lounge. we'll see. Tidied lounge nicely last week and first comment the grumpy one made was oh the lounge is a mess. we'll see...

Morning everyone I'm posting from the park we are having a picnic.

Today so far have
swept kitchen floor
two loads washing (grr dh)
cottage pie ready for dh to stick in oven whilst I am at dentist
beds stripped and remade bar ours
the chap for loft fixing came today to measure up and he coming back tomorrow for ripping out woohoo dust will ensue
party entertainer booked for ds and dd joint party in sept

still to do more playing at play park
dentist for yet another crown
general house tidy

better go dd on roundabout

Afternoon all:

I have an empty ironing basket - oh yeah, oh yeah etc etc
Tescos - still to do
Coffee with friends - done
Add my penny'sworth to v.v. aggravating thread - thanks for that PA
Put ironing away -doing
Shout at 2x teenagers for generally loafing around - done (don't know why I find that so annoying I just do!!)
Supper?

Phew that feels like a lot but looks on here like nothing - oh well!

My DH also can't put his washing in the bin it's either on top or hanging over the sides! He also can't put anything into the dishwasher but feels the need to give me that extra job - it's beautifully stacked on the side obviously!!

See you all later - Tescos is beckoning and you know how I love that!!!

Didn't have to worry as much as usual about the state of the house this morning, when friend came round, as I've been keeping up with my routines for the last few days and it's looking OK. This Flylady stuff is paying off.

Had a lovely time out in the park this afternoon. It was so good for us all to get out. The boys are no good stuck inside the house. Rewarded myself with a chocolate brownie and cup of tea on my return, whilst they watched a DVD of 'Tarzan' that another mum had lent me.

Am meant to be taking the boys to an outdoor swimming pool tomorrow morning. Thought this was a great idea until someone reminded me how freezing cold it is and I remembered why I have only been once before.

I did today's mission! Very proud of myself, as I haven't had time to do a mission for weeks. Found Christmas cards from last year all neatly stacked on one of the shelves in the sitting-room. Definitely time for a tidy up. And it only took me 15 minutes. [Smug emoticon]

Linzer - hope your journey back home goes OK.

Nettie - at you posting in the park.

Waves to Ellie, Optimistic, Feet, Armed and anyone else lurking on this thread.

Aaaaaagh, is it time to go back to work yet. Not posting much tonight as DD is playing up big time and refusing to go to sleep therefore waking up DS who was fast asleep until she started tantruming. Have come downstairs for 5 minutes before I shall try the softly, softly approach.

ellie - I hope you are well and truly out of tantruming-small-girl-hell by now. I remember it SO well.

Quick update to see how much I've done as I'm not sure where today went!

• Work - enough to get by!
• Email School Assoc re plans for last 2 Boot Sales and Autumn Fayre - nope
• Morning routine - not completed
• DC to dentist 20 miles away for check-up - done
• Finish finding floor in DS's room and hoover it. Move his furniture around as requested - nope, tried a bit but was too disheartened!
• Persuade DD to sort out a bit more of her room - nope
• DS to swimming lesson - done
• Tax credit renewal form - mostly done
• More ironing this evening - nope as doing above

Did mkde HUGE spaghetti bolognese for freezer, reheated Brown Sauce from yesterday and re-bottled it so lids would seal (too cool yesterday), helped DC with crafty things they wanted to do and put away lots of washing - mainly into ironing pile.

Not too bad though need tomorrow to be better

Early night would have helped - ho hum!

Just over four hours before we leave, and the house is in a much better state than before we left for Italy so I hopefully won't be returning to quite the same level of chaos (depending on what DH gets up to while he is on his own)!

feetheart Yes, I'll be flying on my own with the DC; DH generally comes with us at Christmas but not in the summer. At least the flight only takes 2.5 hours (it takes us longer to get to my parents at the other end) and it's definitely getting easier now that the DC are a bit older.
Hope the wisdom tooth extraction goes OK tomorrow.

PA Hope you had a lovely time with your visitors and a slightly less exhausting day!
We'll be back in the UK for 2.5 weeks, about the maximum amount of time that my parents can put up with us! (They are used to a quiet, tidy house with people who sit quietly at the table and eat all their food.)

Toffee Hope you get the passport sorted out OK. I hate the hassle of having to apply for new passports; I have had to apply for six in the last eight or nine years and am v. glad the next one doesn't expire until 2012!

Nettie of you having weather good enough for a picnic. Of course, the weather is improving here just as we fly back to the UK. Have just checked the week's weather forecast for where my parents live - it will be about 8 degrees cooler than here, but also 6 to 8 degrees cooler than it will be in London. How can this be?! I must remember not to expect summery weather when I fly back in the summer.

Have a good day everyone - will try and check in while I'm away, although I'm not sure how much flying I'll be doing!

MOrning everyone,

DD eventually settled about 10.30 . She still got up at 7 though so am expecting a grumpy DD come this afternoon! Not entirely sure what I am going to do today. Waiting in for the delivery of my new i-phone so what I get done really depends on how long i have to wait in! List looks like this:-

DW unloaded/reloaded
Washing on line (must do this soon as rain forecast this aft.)
WM on
General maintenance downstairs
S/S bathroom
See what I can get done upstairs
Supermarket for top up shop

Didn't get half of what i planned done yesterday. Friend came over in the afternoon with her DC's and then went over to mum's to see DSB who ha just returned from 6 months travelling. DC's adore him so that was nice . I did however manage to find NHS dentists for us all which is a bit of a result as they are very scarce round here. SO scarce that although DC's are now registered in our town, I am going to have to do a 40 min drive to mine!

Back in a sec with round-up and steps.

We also need to start thinking about the August thread, our birthday thread!(nettie have you got your thinking cap ready?). I am away for 2 weeks in the middle and the bank holiday. I am quite happy to carry on when I am here but will definitely need either someone to stand in when I am away or, if it is easier, someone else to lead next month! Think on it ladies!

Round-up time!

linzer is about to negotiate flying with her 3 DC's ( actualy flying not cleaning ). She is also leaving her nice and tidy house in the care of her DH. She is a brave lady!

toffeefudge is beginning to discover the benefits of routine. She went to the park and ate brownies (did they tast nice, I always prefer guides myself ).

feetheart made spag bol, did tax credits and crafty stuff. Quite a varied day I think you'll agree!

om ironed...and ironed...and ironed! She also found time for herslef and coffee with friends ( i love school holidays!). She was then going to her favourite place in the whole wide world .

nettie posted from the park because she was having a picnic! All that fun was cancelled out by a trip to the dentist .

AandD ate all her carrot cake..how very dare she? .

pa ranted mused upon the adorable qualities of 13 year old girls and had visitors. Quite a quiet day for her .

The topic of the day was undoubtedly the inability of DH's to notice/do the simple things in life. Toffeefudge suggested the existence of a forcefield, an interesting idea although I suspect my DH isnjust lazy . Have a look at this thread. We are not on our own ladies, I read it last night thinking yep he does that, yep he does that too .

The babystep for today is meal planning.

The mission for today is here.

Have a good day everyone!

Hi all. Still unpacking here.

So today
Keep the kitchen clean
Wait in for delivery of new coffee table (which I hate already, dh ordered a huge one and I just know it'll be covered in his and teh dc's junk most of the time)

Tomorrow I get help with the flooring in our bedroom so I can atlast build the wardrobe and put some more stuff away.

Still shocked at how dirty and dusty things were when we moved them.

toffee , how much are the dc's passports costing? My 2 need new ones and as they are dual nationality I have to get German ones this time for 38 Euro each as getting them through the britsih consulate is just too expensive.

linzer have a good time in UK and happy shopping too, how much can you bring back in luggage? When we go back to my parents they don't even put their hoover away, some times my dad follows us through the ground floor with it trying to keep his precious carpet free of specks of anything. He makes the dc go outside to eat icecream and snacks so they don't make crumbs! He's like the ultimate male fly lady.

Good morning ladies

just for you Nettie - I am posting from my office! doesnt sound quite as good as the park, does it!

Linzer Hope the travelling goes well and you have a relaxing time.

Toffee Hope the swimming pool is not too cold! Just think of it as refreshing. Its good for the blood, apparently. - DH announced an evening beach trip today, which will also be incredibly cold and late, but fun. Unfortunately I have a works dooo to go to, so will get out of it not be able to go. I get a bit obsessive about sand. I cannot stand sand on everything and wont let the DCs anywhere near the car til its all completely off and as for the house!! I make them leave everything outside and shake and shake the life out of anything.

OM - Well done on the empty ironing basket. Hope it lasts longer than mine did. (other thread really wound me up, by the way. That is just the sort of person who I wanted to avoid like the plague when I found you on mumsnet! Self opinionated, self absorbed, illness centred......Ggggrrrrrrr!!!!)

Ellie Whoa go you, an i-phone!! You'll be playing on that all day now.

Well, yesterday was a most relaxing day. DCs were all too knackered to move far or fast. In fact they lolled around all day in varying degrees of sleep and early to bed! Loved meeting a little someone who says hello to you all. She's camping not far from where I live, so we met for a drink and a chat. When she re-appears on here later in the week I hope she doesnt reveal the state of the house. - Her family is lovely by the way!!

Serious research needed from me. last evening my George Foreman griller literally fell apart in my hand after 10 years of major usage. I desperately need a new one today as we use it so much, but confused as to which one. Anyone got a good one, or one to avoid?

Plan for today is to do as little as possible!
At work at the moment
Find a griller
Clean family bathroom
hoover stairs
cook another cake as yesterdays did a disappearing act.
take DD2 to work
pop to shop for bread I forgot yesterday
Go and visit my parents, who are needing quite a lot of TLC at the mo, but if I take DCs it may not be quite so stressful.
Work BBQ/AGM tonight, while others are beaching.

So anothr gentle day for me.
Have agood day everyone.

Really need a list today:

• Bath and hairwash - DD and me
• Morning routine
• Ring Tax credit people - wish me luck
• Tidy up 'office' area as need to find forms I have to fill in re property letting. Been putting this off for ages but they need to be in by end of month - eek
• Cook lots so don't have to think about it after tooth extraction - chicken thingie, sauce for fish pie, mint choc chip ice-cream, PA's buns
• DS's bedroom floor rediscovered and furniture moved
• Various School Assoc emails, money stuff, etc
• Out to park, library, bank later
• Maybe ironing

Am trying to cram a week's worth of jobs into 2 days in case I feel too rubbish to care after hospital tomorrow.
Have never had a tooth taken out and am getting anxious

Running round like a mad thing could be a good distraction technique today

Morning all!

Am posting from my bed though I am 'dressed'for the station run I did with DH.(the fat fairy would be horrified by my lack of shower/hair/makeup!) He really annoyed me by finally pitching up at 2 am (his American boss is in town this week so I should have known - they weren't drinking diet cokes!)What he fails to understand is that I only got a few hours sleep as well without the fun evening out - grrr! Sorry for the rant and I did enjoy reading the other thread Ellie. Be prepared to do nothing today as you play with your iphone - I love mine!!

PA - I'm glad you were annoyed by that thread too- I'm afraid all the science babble lost me and I kept thinking 'this woman needs to stop navel gazing and get a life poor thing!' Who did you meet - go on tell me as I'm way behind on the thread!

Linzer - have a lovely time with your parents - I hope the weather picks up as it's been so lovely for well over a month here.

Hi admylin you sound like you've got a busy time ahead - good luck.

Today:
Look at missions and zone cleaning
Nag 2xteenagers to bin all their 'paper' from school and find their floors!
Change bedlinen
Wash (me and laundry!!)
Do very small pile of ironing
Go out for lunch
Wave 2x teenagers off with mad granny for a night away.
Remind mad granny to drive carefully!
Consider talking to DH!

That looks plenty for the holidays!!

See you all laterx

feetheart although I nothing will cure the fear, I had two wisdom teeth out at once back in my youth and although it wasn't pleasant it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. Pain afterwards was bearable with good drugs. Good Luck!

om delivery company have just texted to say that phone will be here between 3 and 4 this afternoon which means I might get something done before it comes . It's a good job really as I have just realised that I have run out of nappies!

pa my powers of deduction and facebook tell me the person you met could be found spread on toast as I know she is on holiday through the wonders of facebook. If so, how wonderful that our little thread is branching out into RL!

Back to it for me, went to tidy kitchen and went a little OTT cleaning down cupboards and the like! DD has just spilt her breakfast all over floor so back on to it for me!