Got in from my monthly homeschool meeting last night quite late, so I ended up “sleeping” in today - which really just means I hollered orders at the kids while covering my head as long as possible.

We weren’t very long into our day (I think I had a foot out of the covers at this point), when I began dealing with sassyness.  Gotta love it when your day starts that way.  Breakfast was it’s usual challenge of trying not to hit the kids in the eye while I threw fruit and toast at them.  Just KIDDING.  I’m sure the amount of bickering, tattling, and hurt feelings are average, but it feels like a much higher dosage today.

Copper has done very well today with not doing his business in the house.  He has NOT done well eating his food and leaving the tabletop and counter alone.  I’ve retrieved a block of margarine, left to soften on the counter, from him twice already (the second time he dug it out of the garbage). 

Our infant Klingon is protesting any and all detachment from my body.

And twenty minutes ago….

….I helped Luke eradicate a marble that had been strategically placed lodged in his posterior oriface.

I’m telling you, People, it’s a glamorous life.  Let the good times roll!

Whew!  Glad that’s over!

 I’m still very tired - even though we had a mostly childless weekend (Thanks Dawn and Dad & Mom E!).  Damara seems to be teething now.  At least that’s what I’m saying.  She’s fussy as ever, moreso even, but the croup and flu is cleared up (except for a bit of sinus congestion still).  All of my other kids were about two months between getting their first set of teeth and their second.  It’s been a month since the first ones came in, so it’s about time for the next ones to start making their appearance. 

In light of all the recalls, and knowing that Christmas is coming, I thought I’d share a great source for toys and games, at reasonable prices. We are also tired of plastic that breaks two minutes after the wrapping paper is off. So this is the best solution for us.

We have found a great local business that sells some unique items for the younger set.  You can also purchase online. Hot Toads is fun! Luke got a wooden marble run for his birthday, and it’s fantastic. There are extension sets for it, so in the future, I’m sure we’ll be adding to it.

This blogging break has been brought to you by The Croup.  With technical support from Acetaminophen. 

When you hear intermittent, but painful-sounding, coughing, the time will officially be I’ve Had Enough Already Atlantic.

P.S.  We’ve officially been sick for over two weeks now.  I quit!

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a totally awesome giveaway.  If you like retro, you’ll love this. Check it out!

I know at some point I’m just going to have to face the fact that winter is on it’s way, and there’s nothing I can do about it.  *sigh*  I am not even looking forward to Christmas this year, and I am a major Christmas lover.  Maybe we’ll just skip Christmas this year.

 And in Really.Important.Information: I almost found “the” jeans.  I really like the ones I got (at Old Navy).  They have a higher waist and a bit of stretch.  Great length (I’m too short for regular length, but too long-legged for a lot of petites).  The problem: I really need a smaller size, because I find myself hiking them back up a lot.  A belt should help, but doesn’t seem to be making them any more comfortable.  What I need to do is lose some of my waistage.  I know the smaller size would be too tight around the waist, but would fit great everywhere else. 

I’m going to try to coerce convince Greg that this Saturday would be the perfect day to clean up our garage.  It’s soooo nasty.  I’m doing great getting the house in order, and I’m thinking that it would be nice to have that done as well.  Then maybe soon (I hope, I hope!), we’ll be able to finish the two rooms in the basement that need doing.  The “storage” room and the laundry room.

In the room we’ve used for storage, the walls are mostly drywalled.  There is a funny little hall-like extension running the rest of the length of the outside wall.  It’s about three feet in width, and would add a good bit of room to our existing school/play area.  Ideally, I’d like to turn the storage room into our school room, with the hide-a-bed in there so it could also serve as a guest room.  Right now it is housing a myriad of garbage bags and storage bins full of off-season or too big/small clothing, some school supplies, and all the Christmas decor.  It has a piece of the old kitchen cupboards from the remodel that the previous owners completed, and an odd plywood platform/countertop of sorts.  There is another roughly-built, plywood shelf of sorts hanging from the ceiling. 

In the laundry we have another plywood counter, which at mid-chest height for me, is completely impractical.  Not to mention it’s way too large, and takes up a good deal of space.  There are no other shelves, closets or cupboards in there.  The water pump, hot water heater, and water softener are in that room, but poorly placed, so that a lot of space is unusable in the current placement.  The walls are all bare cement or studs, with lots of wires showing.  The electrical panel is also in this room.  I would like to have it finished, with the pump, heater and softener repositioned, some cupboards added, and a laundry sink and counter added.  I’ve been investigating front-load washers, and also a ceiling-mounted drying system.  My sister in law had a wonderful washer-dryer set that was built under a counter with a sink in between and cabinets all around.  It was a wonderful set-up, and would be a great way to save space, and create storage.  And last, but not least, there will also be a small craft area.  A place where I will be able to leave my sewing machine out.  And have storage for sewing supplies and scrapbooking items.  I will also include a “gift-wrapping” station.  Not a necessity, I realize, but I am always digging through stacks of totes and bins for my gift-wrapping supplies, and usually last minute and frantic.  The idea of having all of this organized and convenient is very appealing.  And of course, the room will be beautiful.  I would like it pink, thank you very much.  Not to babyish.  A nice bright pink.  With a french theme.  You know, black and white toile accents.  French Couture accessories.  And my pink rose collection.  Just because.  It’s girly, and fresh, and I like it. 

So what rooms are needing a re-do in your house, and how will you style them?