Getting back into the swing of things...

Day two of normal visitation is well underway. The kids missed seeing everyone, and I'd be a liar if I said I didn't enjoy having a bit of time all alone. I started a few projects before I knew that Pepaw was hospitalized that just could not be completed with them underfoot. Yes, I am purging the broken and mangled toys that they can't bear to live without if they happen to see them. 

I ordered some things from Amazon that have already proved useful beyond words. An over the door shoe rack for all the cleaning supplies and things that I need to keep them out of. That is already a stunning success to the point where I'm thinking I need another for the pantry, and another for the bathroom to free up space on the vanity. I also grabbed two tension rods for the closet under the stairs to aid in my constant battle with the laundry monster. Someday, maybe I'll tame it. Most likely when the kids can do their own, but oh well.

I was going to have to go to the final hearing regarding the kids tomorrow, but now that is up in the air. X is saying that he wants a continuance because of Pepaw's death (his step-dad). Supposedly, the judge will grant it. I think it's almost comical. Here he is complaining about how all of this is so unfair to him, and that he doesn't see the kids more and all this "Poor me" garbage, yet he is the one asking to push it back yet again? Makes absolutely no sense to me, but I will just go with the flow. 

It is nearing the appointed time to get busy and finish all my projects before the kids come home. Five hours should be more than enough. I will get back on track here starting tomorrow. 

Mippy Manor's Week in Review: Solo Edition

This has been an interesting week, to say the very least. Ryli and Landry have stayed out until almost 8:00 all week playing with the neighbor girls. I've hung around with their mom as well, and it has been a nice change. I never knew that a 5 year old girl and a 6 year old girl could butt heads so hard. And Landry proved that when it comes to rough housing with one of the neighbor boys, he can definitely hold his own. All that did get a little maddening, however, as Ryli and Landry peppered entire days with "Are they home yet?"

The chores went surprisingly well. Ryli makes her bed now after only having had to be asked one time, on Monday morning. They know that Eroy is coming to check up on them full time starting tomorrow night. I think Ryli will get it a little bit sooner. Then again, with the rate that her LPS pets loose their heads and deco-bits, maybe not. Landry always carries his larger dinosaurs off to bed with him. We shall see.

Tuesday night, I realized that my refrigerator was not working. In fact, judging by the fact that my tube of breakfast sausage resembled an over-inflated football, it had expired at least 24 hours before. Maintenance couldn't do anything about it that night, so it was 3:30 Wednesday afternoon before we got a replacement. Thankfully, all the meat and vegetables in the freezer didn't thaw out much, if at all, so Tuesday night, they went to one neighbor's, and the leftovers from the crock pot went to another.

Thursday, I got all ready to go to court. Then, once I was all ready to go and my friend was minutes away to pick us all up, I got the call that the hearing was going to be continued, since the morning docket had gone over. Now, I have to wait until June to get everything settled. 

After the kids got picked up today, I made a trip to Walmart for a few Easter things and groceries. I never expected to be followed home by a puppy from the bus stop, but I was. I put an ad on Craigslist to try and find his owner. He's been "fixed", but he didn't seem very well fed, and he was on me like white on rice until I locked him in the house and went out to meet the kids. He also drank water like he'd been in a desert.

I had them hurry to the door and knock on the window until he came up. Before I opened the door, I explained to them that someone may be looking for him, so he may not stay forever. They agreed, and I let them in. Puppy love, multiplied by three. As I write this, the three of them are all curled up in my bed, "How to Train Your Dragon 2" still playing.

We dyed Easter eggs tonight. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so it will limit the hiding places. Originally, I planned on six eggs a piece. Unfortunately, Landry bobbled and ultimately cracked an egg while removing it from the dye, so I had Ryli pick one of hers to eat. We then decided that next year, we would hide six eggs each, then seven, and so-on. Ryli's age will determine the number of eggs that we will dye and the bunny will hide. 

Tomorrow, while they are gone again, I will perfect my cleaning of the house and put my Fly Lady control journal together. I'm not going to lie, I'm excited. I also have to run over to a neighbor's house and see if I can't procure a bit of dog food for Tag. I've also got to see if there's a place to get him checked for a chip within walking distance.

Time for me to go to bed... some bunny has to get up really early to hide eggs. I have it on good authority that she is going to break out the Easter baskets before bed to limit the amount of things she has to do when she gets up at six.

A presence from my childhood is back & getting a 21st century makeover

Way back when, my dad and my uncle devised a little monster named Eroy. His function was an attempt to keep us kids in line. He lived in the cemetery, not far from our house in a crypt. Eroy was used as a deterrent, and worked far better on my brothers than he did on me. I was constantly told not to play with Uncle Jim's drum kit, but I did, and nothing ever happened.

I have experimented with Eroy with the littles. I just made him into a little elf who rides a raccoon, and when they don't pick up their toys, has been known to take them.for a day or two. It works. I told Ryli she needs to start making her bed, or else Eroy would start pulling pranks on her. She has made her bed all week, with no reminder except for Monday. Next week, I'm going to have her teach Landry.

So, Easter Sunday, they will come home from visitation, and as I get them wound down, I will tell them that Eroy and I had a conversation, and things with their toys and general picking up and habits will change, lest Eroy take toys and their room under the stairs away. Simple little chores, and simple repercussions when they don't get done.

I want to make sure that Ryli and Landry start to learn now how to take care of their things. To make sure that the learn how to be responsible. I am going to have my work cut out for me, as I will be Eroy's assistant, if you will. I figure this will make things way easier for me come November, when Eroy's cousin Tyrion comes back from toy making duty at the North Pole.