Romance and Clothes Lines

Day 17

Put clothes on the clothes line to dry has always been a romantic idea in my mind.  It wasn't until I moved North that I even realized it was a feasible thing I could do.  When we went house hunting, a place for a clothes line was top on the list of MUST HAVES.  One of the first things Josh did for me when we moved here is set up my clothes line.  It was a very exciting thing.  My dream of free and efficient clothes drying was coming true!  The sweet smelling warm breeze blow through my hair as I hung clothes on the line.  Perfectly clean and bright clothing flapping in the wind.  Children laughing in the distance, with the sun glistening in the sky.  *deep sigh of satisfaction*

Unfortunately this little honeymoon the clothes line and I were on is very much over.  Some where between the cloudy, rainy days and dirty hand prints on the clothes I realized this wasn't as whimsical and romantic as it thought it would be.

First of all, it is a pain in the butt to put underwear and socks on the clothes line.  I think that if nothing else I might just throw those things in the dryer.  That would be SO much easier, and I would be hanging everything else, so it would save me some money.  Next...BUGS.  Yes, bugs.  I found a spider in Little Princess' underwear when I was taking it down off the line, and folding.  Eeeeewwww!  Then I found two flies doing their nasty thing on one of my socks.  EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!  NOT RIGHT!  Next is the dropping factor.  I am clumsily.  It's a true fact.  I continually drop clothes on the dirty ground.  I admit, I do shake them off and put them back on the line, but that's not the point.  It's annoying.  Next is the weather factor.  I only planned to do laundry today because I checked the weather and it was going to be a nice day.  After putting everything on the line, it starts to drizzle a bit.  If my clothes had been dryer, I might have taken them all off, but I just couldn't bring myself to take it all down.  Even if it had down poured and the clothes were wetter than when I started, I still might have left them up there....maybe.  Thankfully it was just a bit of drizzle, and then it was gone.  And lastly we have the dirty kid factor.  SOME HOW, someONE had dirty on their hands, or hat or something, and walked under a towel hanging kind of low, and just caked it with dirt.  It was ridiculous.

Anyway, I keep telling myself I am saving so much money, and building muscles and teaching the kids lots of good lessons.  But I am not sure how long that will keep me putting clothes on the line to dry, instead of in my dryer that is so conveniently located by my washing machine.  I think I know why lots of moms out there don't wait to do their laundry all on one day!  Sheesh!  My plan is to have a laundry basket for darks and a laundry basket for lights, and when they get filled, wash them.  But my only reservation to that is the kids would wear the same 3 of 4 outfits over and over.  That could be a good thing....

*Drum Roll*

Day 16

I am totally geeking out about a recent purchase.  I just had to share.  It is SO cool!

So, you fill the top with water, and it fills the bottles.  It won't over flow the bottles because it has a special spout that stops when the bottle is full.  There is even an over flow spout, which I use to fill cups and stuff.  It also has a filter replacement counter.  It will tell me when it has filtered the amount of water it needs to.  I use to count each pitcher full of water I filtered.  I calculated how many times I had to fill my old pitcher up before it was no longer working, and then I would keep a record of how many times I had filled it.  (I know, I am a freak, I told you!)  Now I just fill it up.  And then I can pull the bottles out and put them in the fridge, or put the whole thing in the fridge, once I get a regular size fridge.  It also has extra bottles!

So basically this is one of the coolest things ever, in the world of water.  The only thing that could make this better is if they had different colored bottles.  SERIOUSLY!  If I had me some PINK bottles I would be living the dream.  HA!

Bath Time

Day 15

Finally, littlest A got a real bath today.  I had been wiping her down with baby wipes every night.  But, this morning we stuck a Rubbermaid tub in the sun and filled it with water.  By the afternoon it was  warm not cold any more.  So, I took a few pitchers full, filled the sink in the camper, and got down to business.  My eldest took this photos!  I am so glad to have another photographer in the family!

Let's do this thing.

I'm going to be cleeeeeaaaannnnnn!!!!!!

Those darn neck rolls!

This is kind of fun.

WHOA!  Did you see where she just put that rag?

Mom, my neck is clean already.

I just farted.

I must be cute if you keep taking all these pictures.

Do I remind you of anyone?

Whoops!  Mom, I slipped!

There you are mom.

My mom is the coolest.

I  mean, look at her.  She obviously adores me.

And what's not to adore?

A Blah Day

Day 14

This morning I woke up with a jolt, and realized I had nothing in a near proximity to eat for breakfast.  Nothing.  So, off we went to the store and farmers market.  I picked up some bananas at the store, and the kids had bananas for breakfast.  I was planning on making eggs when we got home, but it was 10:30 when we got home; time to start thinking about lunch. 

I then began the painstaking task of cleaning, peeling, chopping and slicing beets for lunch.  This, my friends, is a labor of love, plan and simple.  I hate beets.  Josh hates beets.  The only ones who like beets are the kids.  And since they are so good for them, I cook them.  The bright pink lips (not to mention pee) are just bonuses! 

In the middle of all the beet prep, my wonderful neighbor came over with a loaf of fresh, hot bread.  She had given us some thimble berry jam a few days before that, so I pulled that out, and we had bread and jam with our fried beet leaves (which I do like), and I saved the actual beets for dinner.  Phew.

By this time I am so hot and sweaty that I can barely stand it.  I try to avoid hanging out in the camper, as a general rule.  But today, I caved.  I loaded the kids in, and we watched movies with the AC blowing on us. 

And then the day was pretty much shot after that.  I blame the 14 nights of hardly any sleep.  I just had no motivation to do anything.  I did manage to get a chicken in the crock pot, and then we had beets and zucchini and yellow squash for dinner (not mixed together though).

And then came the inevitable male/female mix up.  It was one of those times where I REALLY wish I had just kept my mouth shut.  I don't know about you, but am constantly wondering what Josh is thinking about.  In fact, as an example, right before bed Josh was outside washing dishes, kind of staring off into space a bit. My first thought was, "What is he thinking about?"  And then I almost heard his voice in my head say, "Washing dishes."  It is so crazy to me to think that guys can just think about one thing at a time.  I am constantly thinking about ten different things.  So, he said something, and I assumed he meant it this way, when he didn't.  And then instead of dropping it, like a should have, I got all worked up, and then I kept trying to figure out what I was so upset about.  (I am pretty sure he was too.)  Finally I let it go, and then I wanted to just hit my head against the wall.  I told Josh that I was sure it was do to the lack of sleep and the constant stress and pressure.  Apparently he felt bad for me, because he stopped whatever he was working on in the house, and washed dishes (by far THE WORST part about living in a camper with out plumbing) and he helped bathe the children, and cleaned up and put things away outside.  *huge sigh of relief*  But then I started to feel guilty.  *exasperated sigh*

I think today was one of the hardest days, believe it or not.  The newness has worn off.  Maybe even a bit of the adventure too.  It was just an average day, and I was just tired, and worn out.  I don’t think it would have come at such a surprise if I had expected it.  But now thinking back, I am wondering, what did I think would happen?  Did I really think I was super woman and could just keep going with out sleep or a break.  Sheesh!

So this is me cutting myself some slack.  It’s hard work.  

Rain Showers With a Chance of Fun

Day 13

Today I realized that my kids have never played in the rain.  Well, at least not under my watch.  (I am remembering a picture of my oldest playing in the rain at Yaya’s house, when he was little dude’s age.)    That all changed today.  It’s funny how important things seem sometimes.  And it’s interesting how easy things can be, even when you are sure they will be difficult. 

It all started when the clouds started to roll in around 4:30 this afternoon.  It had been so hot all day, that we were so happy to have clouds!  The kids were already in their swim suits, swimming in the kiddy pool off and on all afternoon.  In the beginning I was a stickler about taking off their swim suits when they were done, cleaning them up, and putting their clothes back on.  But it has been so hot, yet they still get chilly in the pool after awhile that I just got sick of putting on and off their clothes.  So, if they put on their suits, they are in them till the end of the day when I can pry the littlest A off me, and clean them up (in a tub of cold water, to boot).

Down came the rain around six o’clock.  Little Princess turned to me and said a bit shyly, “Can we play in the rain?”  For a moment the old Katie wanted to respond with a, “No, let’s not get dirty and wet before dinner.”  But as I looked at my daughter, in her dirty swim suit, and a look of utter joy, wonderment and excitement, the new Katie took over.  “SURE!”  So, for an hour and a half my three older kids ran around in the yard in the rain. 

Some of you may be appalled at this.  How can I have an 8 year old who I have never let play in the rain?  You might be even more shocked to learn that none of them own rain jackets or mud boots.  (In my defense, I was considering buying them for them this year on their birthdays, and then forgot.)  What I am learning, the hard way, is that Motherhood is a journey.  I started to think back to things that I have done that I might not be super proud of, like the time I gave my 2 year old (my first born) a cold shower because he wouldn’t stop pooping his pants, and then every time after that, for months he would say, “Please, not a cold shower?” every time he got into the bath after that.  And I started to feel guilty.  And then, I remembered, the blessed peace I have in Christ.  To be able to walk forward, casting off all the mistakes of the past, and embrace hope, truth and love, is an amazing thing. 

Sure, this is the first time that my kids have played in the rain….but it won’t be their last.

5he Katie to the rescue

Day 12

I usually post at night, but I couldn’t wait.  Last night was another horrible night and Josh and I both woke up and had to practically hold our eye lids up so we could see, we were so tired.  So, I broke into my stash of 5he, (aka: 5 hour energy).  It took about 5 minutes to start to work, and here is the affect it had:

 Josh

(He drank a WHOLE bottle.)

 

  Me

(I drank half of a bottle.)

So, bring on the day!  It's a busy one, and I am ready for it!  (If I could just get off of Facebook and email.  5he gives me tons of energy, but it also makes me supper lovey dovey, and I want to email all my friends, and comment up and down facebook!)

Seeking

Day 11

Right before I went to bed last night a very large wasp appeared out of no where, in the camper.  My biggest fear was not killing it on the first try, and it stinging all the kids in their sleep.  It landed on the window shade, and I inched closer and closer until I was right on top of it with a booklet.  Then I pressed with all my might and heard the crunching, and still was not satisfied.  I pressed down some more.  I finally brought the booklet down from the window, and there was the wasp, more than an inch long.  He didn’t look very squished.  If I would have been in a house, with a working bathroom, I would have flushed him, just to make sure.  Instead, I dumped him in the trash, and tied up the trash bag (even though I had just taken the trash out, and it was pretty much empty), and took a deep breath and tried to convince myself that he was dead, and would  not be tearing open the bag to sting me in my sleep.  After I was done convincing myself of that, I tried to convince myself that he had gotten in through the door 4 hours earlier, and just now appeared, instead of climbing in through some hole in the camper, and bringing a bunch of friends with him, who were planning their attack at that very moment.  I am happy to say there were no more sightings!

Tonight I played hide and seek with the kids.  I thought you would be interested in how my kids play hide and seek, because it cracks me up!  First of all, only my eldest seems to have the patience to hide in this game.  Little princess and little dude have developed their own little sing song code to help people find them.  (Like we need help, ha!)  I was the first to count, and only seconds after saying, “Ready or not, here I come,” little dude alerts me to his ware bouts by fake whistling (I think).  I wish I could accurately describe the sound!  It’s like “you who” but not.  And it sounds like they are trying to make whistling sounds with words.  It’s the best I can do, sorry.

After finding him, he leads me to his sister, and then she leads me to her big brother, who is mad that he has been ousted.  So we try again.  This time little dude counts, and it goes something like this: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, ready or not here I come.”  Except try reading it as fast as you can, slurring the words together.  Despite the quick count, everyone manages to hide.  He finds Abby, who is adamant that he cheated, because she wasn’t ready.  She then shows him where I am, and then we hunt around for Aaron together.

Next is the eldest.  He too counts as fast as he can, making it to thirty then screaming at the top of his lungs, “READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!”  Now, he has played this game with his little sister a few times to know that she always hides in his last hiding spot!  LOL (FOR REAL)!!!  And then of course she tells him where little dude is, and then they come hunting for me.  Abby comes around the corner of the camper and I whisper, “Oh no you don’t!” and grab her and put my hand over her mouth.  She is giggling.  I try to out smart the eldest by sneaking around to the front of the camper while he goes around to the back and it back fires.  He finds me.

And now it is little princess’ turn.  The baby wakes up at this point, so I go into the camper to get her, and she finds me when I come out. 

Then I take another turn.  I count to thirty, yell, “Ready or not here I come,” and then I hear Abby’s sing song whistle of "you who," and head towards the sound of her voice.  I can’t find her though.  So then, I decide to yell, “Marco.”  To which Aaron responds with, “Pollo!”  And I find him!  HAHAHA!  He looks confused, and then I tell him that’s a different game.  Kudos to mom!  Andrew is hooting for me, so we find him, and then all search for Abby.  I can’t find her, anywhere, even though she did her little hooting thing.  Then out she pops from the bathroom, very pleased with herself, and her ability to trick us.  She had been in the thick trees on the side of the house, and when I went past her, she snuck out because she had to go potty. 

We play another round, so everyone gets another turn.  It goes about the same.  It was quite enjoyable, I must say.  My kids are ridiculously cute!  And to think if I would have been in a house, instead of a camper, I might have missed the chance to play it all together.  Living in the camper has forced me to be outside with the kids more.  Normally I love the outdoors, but with a new baby and bugs, I don’t go out much.  But I can lay the baby in the camper, turn on the baby monitor, and be good to go.  I am very thankful!