Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Cleanliness is next to...




This picture doesn't even do justice to the dishes in the sink.  I am fortunate to have two - really, really deep kitchen sinks.  So this picture literally only scratches the surface. 

A full sink can give you quite a glimpse into a person's day...or days in my case - depending on the week. 

An afternoon activity of making Jello Jigglers with Jack pulled out my batter bowl, a cake pan, a large measuring cup, kid's scissors, and several spoons (you know he licks one after another - so I have to use a lot).



I am not sure why, but for dinner I decided to try a peanut chicken recipe that I think used every single pot, pan, and lid I own.  It was alright - certainly not worth the amount of dishes I used...

Then we rushed off to a preschool round-up open house.  Once we came home we took out ALL the cookie cutters to make oodles of jiggly jigglers.  Once we gobbled up a few jigglers we wiggled up the stairs to bed.






In the morning we had a big family crepe breakfast since Jeremy has to leave on a business trip.  Before we knew it - it was noon and time for yummy mac & cheese (it turns out I did have one pan and lid left...).




In addition to all of this, Mitch has continued to eat and drink...creating a very empty bottle rack.

So, here we are - about 24 hours later with more dishes in the sink and finally a quiet moment to wash them.

Why is this worth the blog space?  Well, if you know me - this is a very hard and challenging for me.  I am one who LOVES to have everything in its place.  I like order and cleanliness.  Having a sink FULL of dishes is very stretching for me.  I have personal expectations of myself that are not being met as of late.  But, I have to stop and remind myself what is worth my time.  Is it leaving my kids to wash away - or is it taking time to read to them, race cars across the living room floor, or ride trikes in the basement - while forsaking the dishes? 

Recently my mother-in-law reminded me that I am raising kids, not a clean house.  So - even though it is a very hard thing for me - I am willing to take a few more dishes in my sink just to be sure that I can spend a few more minutes with my boys.

And, just in case you were wondering...there always is resolve, just not always when I want it.


Monday, January 11, 2010

Herb Garden Update...

So, the Chia Herb Garden is not going so well.  It turns out you are supposed to keep watering them.  :)  I knew this, but I put them up so high on a window ledge - and now it has become too much work to get a stool to water them.  Rest in peace dried herbs. 

Friday, January 8, 2010

Pomegranates...

How do you pomegranate?


I usually section them and remove the delicious seeds by hand.


It is a lot of work...


But my boys think it is worth my effort!


Although, sometimes my kitchen looks like a crime scene after I am finished...

Lately...

Lately, we have been playing with snow inside...

Lately, we have been waking up in our new jammies...


Lately, we have been touring the Bentlyville Lights in Bayfront Park, Duluth...


Lately, we have been learning to climb stairs...


Lately, we have been enjoying our favorite view...


Lately, we have been JUMPING


THROUGH THE AIR


into our new toy...


Lately, we have been making funny faces...


Lately, we have only wanted to eat what big brother eats...