Having a hard time getting started today

I tried balancing the checkbook but my DH's system is just too stinking complicated. If a tractor hits him and he is killed we are screwed because he made it too STINKING COMPLICATED. (are you reading this dear?)

I am watching #6 empty kleenexes onto the floor in patterns. Then she stand on top of them and announces, "TADA!" Then she jumps and says, "Ooo, oo, ooooo." What goes on in those almost 2 year old brains?

I drove to see Jennifer and Mark yesterday. It was a nice drive. I took the girls with me. It was very nice seeing her and her family again.

I am tired. I need to do a brain dump and get the list out of my head. Then I will probably be able to decide what I need to do.

At 6:45 #3 and #4 bolted out the deck door to go see if we had more chicken eggs. It was a very fun conversation to listen to while half asleep. :)

#6 has just put on her sisters jammie dress upside down. In otherwords she put it on like a sack and has just announced, "FEEEEEEEee!" and plopped down on her bottom and pulled the jammie dress up to her waist. She knows she is way too cute.

I have the schedule for the school year about 2/3 done. With #1 starting seminary life will change around here. We have never had to be anywhere by 6:30 am in our entire marriage.

The chore chart is re-done.

This year because I will be homeschooling 5 of them I had to delegate some of my duties. Menus have been simplified. #1 is in charge of all lunch preparation, #2 is in charge of all bread making, #3 is in charge of all breakfast prepartions. I have made a complete menu and directions for all of the recipes. Directions like use both cast iron griddles and what setting on the stove to place the knobs. The directions and recipes have been place in page protectors and put in a binder for use.

I still need some bins for the little kids. I have been slowly collecting toys that are not too messy and will entertain them. I have things like bristle blocks, magnetic paper dolls, wedgits, dolls, and pattern blocks. Value World had a great selection this last trip. To get the schooling done for 1, 2, and 3 the little guys need to be occupied, hence the bins of toys. But all toys are behind a locked set of doors, one type out at a time, pick up before new ones are released. And all the art supplies are in the same closet. I had way too many paper clip and paper disasters the last couple months-little shreds of paper all over the place in the name of creativity. New videos have been purchased for video time (Value World and Good Will). I am hoping this plan will keep them engaged enough that I can get the big kids school work done. I know this sounds complicated but I don't want to fall into the trap of keeping the little kids out of the way by video or Wii.

I still have to order curriculum for the big boys. But it is in the shopping cart, I just have to double check it and place the order.

I had considered moving the school room upstairs but decided to get better lightbulbs and leave it in the basement. It is dark and cool down there. So the kerosene heater is being moved down and the lightbulbs replaced. I found a new school table at a garage sale and I have to put up a new white board (garage sale).

Still to do-upgrade memory on the laptops (assigned to DH), get software installed on said laptops (DH), inventory toys so I know what is in the closet and make a list so I don't have to open the closet to give them their choices for toys (or should I just make a schedule and rotate them? bristle blocks on Monday, pattern blocks Tuesday, etc.?) I have to put the books in order of use on the bookshelves, put up the maps, the school calendar and timeline.

Well, that was part of the list. :)

Gotta put on some shoes and get started with the pickles. I have to weed, water, make relish and limewater pickles, clean the garage and spend 15 minutes working on the pantry shelves, make lunch and dinner and attempt to get rid of the fruit flies.