How to Keep a Clean House

Since I became a full-time teacher and especially since I returned to work after maternity leave, my housekeeping responsibilities have fallen by the wayside. I have found it really hard to get everything done for my class and the necessities for Jackson week-by-week, let alone the cleaning.  It's not as though we own too many possessions--we have what we need to get by and everything has its place.  What has been happening though, is the laundry gets piled up and the toys don't always get put away every day.  And in most English houses, there aren't any closets to store away anything to keep it out of the way, so all of our belongings are out in the open.  Then there's also the neglected nooks and crannies of dusting and the bathroom with all of its hidden cracks and crevices that get overlooked when work and family requirements must take priority.

But now, I know what it takes.  I have finally figured out the secret to keeping our house clean in one easy step!  Here is the secret:

Invite friends over to visit!

We've had a dry spell of visitors since Christmas until today so now the house is in ship-shape again.  When someone is coming over, then the housework has to get done and there is nothing that can prevent it from happening.  In fact, Lee was on Jackson duty this morning while I took care of the house and then when Jackson took his morning nap, Lee helped do the bathroom and dishes.  In the end, we got everything done in a couple of hours and the house looks great again.

Is our house perfect?  No--there are still a few of those nooks and crannies that need attention.  But, I think in a week, two hours is a good chunk of time to devote to cleaning.

I do have two ways to make the day easier before your friend's arrival:  The first is to order food in for lunch or dinner and don't try to clean and cook at the same time.  Just choose one of those and do it really well.  Secondly, for any of those odds and ends that do not get taken care of before a visitor arrives, may I suggest having a designated drawer in the kitchen, affectionately known as the 'junk drawer,' where all coupons and batteries can be tucked away until another day.

Dancing while watching The Voice UK

Being a little love and hugging his baby

Reading us his bedtime story

Honing his drawing skills

Saying, "Yeah!" while playing with the musical buttons on his walker

(You may have noticed the pink spoon was close by in most of these photos.  Jackson is still keeping a spoon and bowl with him to mix, mix, mix whenever he can.  Also, he's predominately using his left hand to mix and feed himself.)

Developmental updates:  It has been a very talkative week for our little baby boy.  He had full 'conversations' today with us and my friend that came to visit.  The words were mainly 'goygoygoy' in different pitches, but he said them with such concentration and conviction that it was impossible to just dismiss it as nonsensical babble.  Jackson is confidently feeding himself with a spoon very neatly.  He ate a bowl of pasta and a bowl of mashed potatoes this week, finishing the entire servings, and not dropping any of it on the floor.  We were very proud of his accomplishment.  Jackson also taught himself how to slide down the stairs on his stomach.  He used to try to walk down the stairs like us so this method is much safer for the time being.  And finally, Jackson has mastered the lion roar and responds consistently when we ask him, "What sound does a lion make?"  Now, we're going to be working on other animal sounds.

If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.