A Little Craziness...

Today was the first full day we have taken off of school this year. We "celebrated" by doing phase one of our fall house cleaning. I told the kids that today and tomorrow were going to be some serious work days and that we would celebrate this weekend by pulling out our Christmas decorations and bringing home our tree. I am embarrassed to admit that sorting through our basement sent me into a sneezing fit. Several spiders lost their homes when my swiffer made the rounds, and my vacuum was groaning from over exertion. The big kids were a huge help with the little guys and took turns labeling, sorting and rearranging while the other held or entertained a younger brother. I am thoroughly exhausted but am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Stephen is taking a vacation day tomorrow which he graciously agreed to give to me so I can clean while he does a few projects and watches the little boys. I told him that 10 more hours should bring me closer to a sense of order and well-being in my home. My fellow homeschooling moms realize that there is very little time to keep up with housework in between completing several hours of school each day, potty training a toddler, nursing a baby, making 5 snacks/meals a day, and keeping the washing machine running.

Buddy warmed my heart with his especially-sweet and helpful attitude today. I asked the kids to sort and eliminate the toys they no longer use. He said to me, "Mommy, maybe you should decide that for me since you have a better sense of what I don't play with." Then he added, "I know why you don't want us to have too many toys. It's because, if we did, we might make an idol out of them, right?"

Perhaps I'll feel bold enough to post a few pictures of our new sorting systems and the fruit of our hard work...