Being a Fun Mom is More Fun

And almost always a heck of a lot easier, too!  Here's how the past 24 hours went down...

When the kids got home from school yesterday, I was JUST finishing up painting the family room.  Ethan was requesting a trip to the store to buy an "Under Armour type shirt" for Field Day today and by the time I finished putting everything away and cleaning up, I realized that it was 4:40, I had nothing in the works for dinner, and since Scott has been out of town all week, I didn't have the energy or desire to wrestle with the kids through the witching hour and then get them to bed on my own.  The solution?  "Load up everyone, we're going to Target!  And you can pick out whatever you want for dinner while we're there!  And I'll buy you your Field Day gear!"  Instant success.  Hahahaha.

Aside from the fact that Ethan was stressing out the whole time we were there because the little ones were SO LOUD due to excitement, we had a marvelous time.  The three older ones each picked out their "Under Armour type shirt" and shorts for the water activities today, and I threw caution to the wind and let Alex and Jane each pick something out, as well.  {Spoiler alert -- Alex's choice was superhero themed.  Hahahahaha.}  An hour and half later, we were safely on our way home with happiness easily bought and surrounding us.  Lunchables were the meal of choice for kids 1-4, and donuts were the Lover Boy's pick.  {Don't judge.} 

{Justice League cars.}

Then, I really kicked things up a notch on the fun-mom-o-meter, when I acquiesced to their pleading for a Movie Night, even though it was the middle of the week.  What can I say? I didn't want the fight and it sounded kind of fun.  After getting home and getting myself something to eat, I made the kids clean up the family room so we could put furniture back in its rightful place and watch the movie in a tidied up environment.  Lover Boy was sent packing up to bed, and after starting up a little Summer Magic {old school Disney movie featuring Hayley Mills -- which I loved as a kid}, I pulled out the new packets of Jamberry Nails that I ordered for the girls from a friend.  Aside from Jane being overly tired and kind of a train wreck, it was actually a really enjoyable evening!  I loved the fact that all the kids really liked the movie, and it was kind of fun doing the girls' nails while Ethan worked on painting another rock.

The biggest reason I caved on a Movie Night was because I knew I would have NO trouble getting the kids up and off to school this morning.  Field Day couldn't get here soon enough for this crew!  We finished our morning routine with plenty of time for a photo shoot and after sending them on their way I started the first of MANY loads of laundry in my efforts to get ready for our trip to St. Louis tomorrow.

 

In addition to laundry, I spent the day going visiting teaching, doing some more painting (dining room this time), and prepping for the painting of our banisters and railings.  {They're going "Black Fox" by Sherwin Williams.  I'm kind of really excited.}  As the kids came home from school today, I found myself in the same position as yesterday and decided, once again, that it's more fun to be fun.  So instead of staying inside and making them clean up the house and have them drive each other (and me) crazy, I told them that we'd go to the pool if everyone simply did their zone and assignment and got their clothes packed for our trip.  I think the clothes were the only thing that happened, but getting out and going to the pool was definitely a worthwhile endeavor.  :)

{Family Room done!}

{Dining Room done!}

 {Railings -- not quite done.}

While Ethan and Grace were at the church tonight for scouts and Activity Days respectively, I got the three exhausted little ones down with hardly any complaint, and then had the luxury of peace and quiet to veg out for a little bit before tackling the messes in the kitchen and the family room.  By the time Thing 1 and Thing 2 were home, the house was clean and they both went to bed without a fuss.  All is well in the world!  Especially since Scott is on his way home and we're heading out for the weekend.  St. Louis here we come!