I received my acknowledgment letter from the state and most of the resources I wanted at least for the first semester. I have a field trip planned which I am very excited about. I made each of the children a little slate on the back of a clipboard to practice on. The children just got new pencil boxes and a pile of supplies which has had quite a motivating effect as they yearn to use their brand new crayons, paints, scissors and other supplies.
Now I just need time to do something other than clean the house.
Getting that call to request a showing is exciting. Getting them regularly enough to keep us from falling into any real schedule keeps me thinking (hoping) that the house will sell soon. We had a showing Monday, three on Wednesday and have another yet today. Most of the feedback has been positive, with three people expressing serious interest. Unfortunately, they all have houses to sell.
So we wait. And we clean. And we paint here and there. And we stress over little kids messes. Sending them outside means dirt tracked in an out. Setting them in front of the television buys some time, but there is a limit to how long I can do that. Having them help clean is a nice thought, but my children are still really at the age where their chores and help is more for their benefit. It goes faster without them. One day, when I had enough of the continual little messes, I sent them out to the car to watch a movie. They loved that. It was like a drive-in in our own driveway!
So we’re getting creative. Who knew a box of marbles could keep them entertained for hours? Dumped in the bathtub, they were great fun to watch roll around and around, and up and down. Sure it was noisy, but who minds noise when the children are engaged and occupied in a not-too-messy game while preparing their house for showing?
They had so much fun playing mini-golf with the marbles, I think I’m going to pick up some shoe boxes today to see what other marble games we can create. Marble croquet, marble bowling, marble race racks…. What could be better than inventing a miniature little marble world? It passes all the criteria for our family: constructive and engaging for the children, limited mess for mom.
And my blog? Well, it seems to have gotten lost in the broom closet. At least I’ve been spending more time with my mop and broom than my keyboard of late. With two dogs, one cat and five children in a house with no carpeting, sweeping has always been an ongoing need. Now it has taken on a new level of importance.
But I’m still here. Reading snippets while nursing, thinking of all I want to write when I get time to sit and concentrate. And very curious about one thing:
What kinds of activities do your children enjoy that can involve multiple ages and little mess?
Roscommon Acres is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Turn your children out on the pasture, pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation!
Friday, 7. August 2009
I have so been there. We have sold 2 houses since having small children. Done the movie in the car thing, but not lately. Will have to try that again sometime. Yes, baths are good too. Hmmm. A new box of sidewalk chalk is always good. Maybe playing with the hose or sprinkler in the backyard? And then changing into dry clothes in the backyard!! Sounds like you are doing a good job keeping up with it all though. And I understand on the blog thing. I just posted last night for the first time in 5 weeks! Oh my. Oh well. God Bless!
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Friday, 7. August 2009
I asked my kids what they thought. Here is what they brainstormed: blocks, legos, reading, drawing, stuffed animals (plus blankets and pillows), puzzles, aluminum foil, playdoh (messy, but all the mess is in one place; you could contain it by giving each one a tomato box lid to work in), rice box (with strict instructions to keep the rice in the box). I think the key might be to structure their time and provide one activity at a time, so you don’t have messes going on all over the house.
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Friday, 7. August 2009
When we were selling the house I’d give the kids a bucket of water and big paint brushes to paint with water outside. They like to watch their paintings evaporate off the sidewalk, the jungle gym, the side of the house.
Treasure Hunt lunches are a favorite at our house…but they are a little time consuming for mom. Write clues, each leading to the next, and at the end the treasure is a picnic basket with lunch. The key to getting some free time out of this is to have every clue be as far away from the last as possible so they are crisscrossing the house or yard and are worn out and hungry by the time they find the treasure.
Good luck with the sale!
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Monday, 10. August 2009
Do you have a Swiffer SweeperVac?? If not, it sounds like you need one. It’s a Swiffer with a cloth and a rechargeable vacuum on it — gets the dust, pet hair, fuzz, crumbs, etc! Best of all, kids can do it!
Really, it works so much better than a broom. However, they’re about $28… Our first one lasted about 3.5 years; just bought a 2nd because the first’s rechargeable battery wasn’t keeping a charge long enough to get the job done. Still. I think it was $28 well-spent.
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Monday, 10. August 2009
I only discovered your blog a few weeks ago, but since then I watched it every day. And I really like it , keep up the great work
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