Big.
Heavy.
Sigh.
The girls made a road out of MANY children's books. But that is only the beginning of this HUGE MESS! (Yes, I am yelling.) The road is also partially lined with all kind of buildings (farms, dollhouses, and other toys I now regret purchasing) and even GRASS from outside. Did I mention the cleaning people vacuumed yesterday? The town started in their bedroom, pictured above, and then went down the hall...
...and into the schoolroom...
...in front of the couch... (That black line is the dog's leash tied in a knot between two chairs. I have no idea why.)
...all the way around and then behind the couch. See that towel with the bowl and toy dolphin sticking out? There's water in there. That must be the zoo or Seaworld or something. At least they put down a towel.
Now, the lovely part is that I had these books somewhat organized on the shelves. Not perfectly, but I could find most any book I needed. Some go in our book basket for school time. Some are LIBRARY BOOKS (that will hopefully NOT be mixed in with the others or I know two girls who will be working hard to pay off some fines), some are books from their bedroom, etc. Fortunately Betsie is asleep so the books in her room are still there.
I know this is cute and creative. If this were your blog, I would be laughing. If this were 5 years ago, I would be laughing. But it's now and it's my house, and I have to be the bad guy at clean up time. And this is one job that I will definitely have to supervise closely to make sure the books end up in the proper place. Someone please tell me that this is a short season and I should enjoy it. And then tell me whether or not it's worth it to pay people to clean my house when it doesn't stay clean for even 24 hours.
Okay...there, I took out my frustration on you and my kids are still happy. At least they like books, right?
13 comments:
I know...I am not supposed to laugh, but I am.
I know...I am not supposed to tell you how great their imaginations are...but I am!
I know...I am not supposed to say you'll look back on this with fond memories, because you know that already.
So I'll tell you this. I TOTALLY understand how you feel! (But it's still cute and funny and a great memory!)
Yep, Jen, I'm with Sheri. And I also totally know how you feel. I promise you, everytime I mop the floors, within 30 minutes someone spills juice. Every time.
This too shall pass. (I am clinging to this one!) LOL!
Candace, my current favorite part of the Bible is where it says, "And it came to pass..."
We've almost gotten everything cleaned up. I have found even more strangeness during the clean up process too. I can almost lauggh with you both now!
Ok, I'm trying really hard not to laugh, but I'm sorry can't help it. Believe me though I understand your frustration all too well.
I didn't laugh (much). I did quite loudly exclaim "Oh no! Jennifer!"
I am almost amused now at the time Caroline drew pictures in the car - in ink, on the upholstery. That was almost as funny as the crayon creations on the family room wall.
Yep, you can only laugh at this on someone else's blog. I'm pretty sure.
But take heart, one day soon your girls will be baby-sitters. It all comes back then and you WILL enjoy it. ;)
Holy cow that gave me the biggest laugh tonight Jen!!!
This could have been my house on any given day just after we've cleaned!!!
I live this on a daily basis I think.
Do your girls have huge fort fights with your dirty laundry that they dump out of the baskets? That's what my 2yo thinks the laundry is for now- and he can't discern between neatly folded and clean and the dirty clothes!!
But I'm so glad you got pictures and blogged about it. ; )
Heather W (FIAR)
Feeling for you, but wow, that really is a great town - could the leash be a power line?
OMG Jen...can't even try to hide my laugh on this one! This is just too funny and so glad you captured pictures of it! What a memory! ;)
Jen,
I thought my house was the only one that looked like that at times. One time my dc tied so many knots in some lacing strings on their indoor trampoline that I had to cut the strings off.
Today there was so much stuff on the floor, I was tripping over it.
My kids use their toys for things that they weren't intended to be used for.
You children have great imaginations, and it makes me feel like our house is normal :)
Edwena from FIAR
I'm so sorry Jen but I had to laugh as I saw the pictures. Does it help if I tell you that I have been their and can totally relate to your pictures. We have had roads of books that were built in our home much like in your pictures. I can relate to the frustration of having to re-organize them and to having your home messed up right after it gets clean. It usually doesn't even take 24 hours around here before it's messy again. I have often wished that I could have a house cleaner but after considering the frustration that you mention here of PAYING to have your house cleaned, only to have it messed up again shortly after, I am reconsidering why I have always coveted having one!
The bright side---- you have a lot of great books in your home! :-)
Wistfully sighing and laughing, friend...but I do understand your frustration!
I'm so glad you took pictures. One day you *will* laugh about this!
It was your blog, so yes-I was laughing...but I would still think the cleaning service was TOTALLY worth it! Something I hope for one day-
I dropped in from Laura's blog. We are both at Grace Church and have been in playgroup together since Lydia and my little girl Haley were only a few months old.
I love it Jen!
I know how frustrating it is to have a clean house become demolished in a matter of seconds. But, those pictures are priceless.
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