Okay, so this is a totally lame thing to write about, but it's late and I'm on a quick break--from cleaning. I just did some clean-up in my laundry room, a toad of a space. It really is something you have to see to believe. Only someone like me, who never had her own washer and dryer before buying this house, could appreciate that room. Anyway, I did what I could to organize it (with no garage and it being the like 5% of our house that isn't finished, it tends to be somewhat of a catch-all) and cleaned it up as best I could.
Next, I am going to tackle the playroom. I'm not going to organize all the toys into their proper bins because my nieces and nephews are coming over tomorrow and I am not crazy. But, I really do need to find the floor so that children can actually play in there. It was looking pretty good until Friday when there was no school and I babysat a couple of extra kids. It's totally getting late now--almost one in the morning--but this is my favorite time to tackle the play room. Michael thinks it's so strange.
What can I say? I have kind of a rhythm with cleaning times. Mornings are the best for straightening my kids' rooms. That probably has something to do with changing their sheets or smoothing their covers after they make their beds. I like to use nap time to get my main level back together nice and neat. There's something about all the bright midday sun coming in all my windows in the living room and kitchen while I clean up in the middle of the day. I enjoy that. It seems almost wasteful to spent those good hours doing duties in the basement. But late at night, long after I'd usually go to bed, I love to dig into that playroom. I like to take the portable DVD player in there and listen to a good sing-along movie like Mary Poppins (if only I could play "Tidy up the nursery" like she does!) or The Sound of Music. Sometimes I'll choose another favorite like, An Ideal Husband, though; it depends on my mood. I love the feeling when it's all done and the room looks so inviting for my children, but I know it will stay clean for several more hours until they awaken. And then when they go in there they act like it's Christmas morning. "Mom! You cleaned the playroom!" "Wow! I've been looking for this..." Sometimes there's even a "You cleaned the playroom? Thanks, Mom," in there. Maybe I like to do it at night, in part, because it glides my children's dispositions into a sunny place immediately the next morning. That's totally worth some precious sleep.
7 comments:
I love that Mendy (especially that you called it a "toad" of a room - ha!). I like to clean the play areas at night also - for me, it's with a book on tape on my ipod. Time goes by so fast then, don't you think?
I also clean the play room at night. One night I pulled an all nighter to get it totally back in order. :-) Crazy, but boy did it look good (for a day)
Mendy, you are my hero. I loved this post. It shows so well, the everyday life of a mom. Thanks for sharing.
I like that phrase, the cleaning rhythm. Seems that doing playrooms at night is a universal thing. I always invite Jeff for a playroom date and we can at least talk while cleaning. I like cleaning posts, as you know!
Yep, I do the basement/playroom at night too - how funny to realize everyone does!! :) I love how you described everything Mendy - the sun coming into our kitchen after lunch time really does inspire me to wash down the counters too!! :)
I believe you. I only clean up my own room at 1:00 in the morning. For some reason, any other time of day just seems like a waste putting away my own clothing. Also, I only fold laundry while watching TV after the kids go to bed. I refuse to do it any other time. I guess we all have our rythms.
Oh my gosh Mendy, you're such a great writer. When ever I read your blogs I get lost in your stories. I loved to read about your "rhythm of cleaning", and then I can't help but to think about how I don't have it!!!! :) I have, as I've told you before, a problem w/keeping that "rhythm" steady. I may have to go back and read this topic a few more times and "just do it!" Thanks for the ideas...love, love it
Post a Comment