15 Minute Playroom Clean-up

I must admit that the boys' playroom is the hardest room for me to keep clean. It's also the most depressing room to clean because unless you do it RIGHT before bed it only stays clean for about 10 seconds. I bit the bullet this afternoon, however, and decided to see how much I could clean-up in 15 minutes. All 3 of the kiddos were awake so they were right there along with me. Below are the before/after pictures of the room.

Before/After playroom closet

Before/After playroom floor

So not  PERFECT, but a lot better, aye?? :) Again, this was the progress with 3 kiddos in the room with me. I reckon to make it perfect I would need at least 20 minutes. Good to know for any spur of the moment company. Then again, shutting the door and locking it would be both easier AND faster.......just kidding......sort of.

Watermelon Babies

<3 Clint <3

<3 Clay <3

<3 Cade <3

Peanut Butter and Sunflower Seed Granola

The house  reeks is smelling like PB at the moment as I just made my second batch of PB/sunflower seed granola. Actually, this is the second time EVER that I've made any type of granola. I've researched recipes before, but most of the "good" ones had a looooong list of expensive ingredients. Wasn't sure if I was ready to make that plunge in our budget. :S

This recipe, however, is simple and pretty cheap to make. I've already eaten it twice for breakfast with a sliced banana and a little milk. Bought some vanilla yogurt yesterday to try with it later. :)

PB and Sunflower Seed Granola

2 cups of oats

1/4 cup of sunflower seeds

6 TB of organic PB

4 TB of raw honey

2 TB of coconut oil

In a medium mixing bowl combine oats and sunflower seeds. Set aside. In a small saucepan heat the PB, honey, and coconut oil just until melted and smooth. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir well. Spread on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake in a 325 degree oven for 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally  Allow to cool completely in pan before removing to storage container. Enjoy!!

( recipe idea/adapted from pbfingers.com )

Shopping for Pink Now :)

Found out yesterday that we were expecting our first daughter!! Still waiting for the news to sink in, but VERY excited!! :)

Being our first girl the poor thing will need something to wear. I had a Gap coupon I received in the mail so IMMEDIATELY after my ultrasound I headed to the mall to see if Baby Gap had any cheap GIRL clearance.

Sure enough.........they did ( also pictured is a couple of boy items for Cade ).

$735.80 worth for $39.12 (tax included).......not TOO bad, eh???

Several $39.95 dresses/sweaters/jackets for only $1.60 a piece. VERY thankful for God allowing me to be at the right place at the right time!

Missing from the picture are 2 pairs of boys rubber boots. Regular $34.95........paid $1.04 a pair. As you can see from picture, Clint is quite pleased. :)

Clutter-Busting Challenge Day #5

Today's 7 items came from here and there as I was cleaning up this morning. Again, not sure if I'll find 7 things each day due to cleaning things out before our recent move, but I sure am having fun trying. :) Kind of like a treasure hunt. Thanks to Money Saving Mom for the inspiration!!

                             

1) Espresso maker. This was a gift, but I've honestly only used it a couple of times. Just don't have the time during this busy stage of motherhood for this luxury and it was taking up space on my counter.

2) Clock.......one of the hands is broken off.

3) "Prancer" Christmas hand towel. Haven't gotten into the decorating the bathrooms for Christmas. Maybe when I'm old and rich. :)

4-5) Limegreen baby bathtub support thingies. We've bathed 3 youngin's without them so far.

6) Retro napkin holder. Adorable, but something not used ( we use cloth here at home and just buy paper ones occasionally for company )

7) Boy's red robe. Found in the coat closet. Not something we usually use at that age.

Clutter-Busting Challenge Day #4

Yes, I was thinking that it would be Day #6 too, but I'm assuming we get weekends off after reading Money Saving Mom's post. Whew! I'm not as behind as I thought. :)

 

Today's items came from my closet ( counting the shoes as pairs I actually got rid of 11 things ).

1-4) Maternity/nursing shirts I don't use. Most of these I hope to consign with some other things later.

5) A lime green binder I haven't used in a good while.

6-10) Shoes I've had for years and hardly wear anymore.

11) One red flip flop (????)

Here's a picture of my main shoe shelf. LOVE my new cowgirl boots ( part savings/birthday gift to myself. :)

Clutter-Busting Challenge Day #2

Day #2 of the Money Saving Mom Clutter-Busting Challenge. Once again I found my "7 items" in the kitchen/dining area.

1) "Chick in the egg" cake pan. Don't think I've ever used that thing and doubt I'll ever try and be pleased with the end result. :)

2-3) I counted 39 coffee mugs for my lone coffee drinking self. I think I can afford to lose a couple of them.

4) Food processor. Yes, I AM hard on kitchen appliances ( ask my mom about the time I broke 3 of her hand mixers within a MONTH'S time ). Actually, the boys dropped some of the plastic parts on the tile floor causing the "locking" pieces to break off. It no longer works without those :S

5) Floral Yankee Candle accessory. Had this since BEFORE I was married. Loved the candle, but the accessory doesn't match my home decor.

6) Spaghetti serving thingy. I think that was a mail freebie that I've never used.

7) Yellow bottom to a Cheerio container. Can't find the lid to it.

Clutter-Busting Challenge Day #1

Took Money Saving Mom's monthly challenge and decided to unclutter some this month. Now, after our recent move I doubt I'll find 7 things EACH day, but you never know. :) Today I found my 7 things in the kitchen. Yes, the pictures may get boring after awhile and no doubt some of you will find some of my "former" possessions humorous "she kept/had THAT???" :) One thing that I've learned since becoming a housewife/mother is that possessions can either be a blessing OR a burden. The less "burdens" lying around, the less clutter and cleaning to do. Sounds like a winner to me!!

1) Blew the motor in my blender several weeks ago. It got tossed in the trash, but for some reason I still had the attachments??

2-5) These cute little glass canisters have been with us our entire married life. Unfortunately, I don't think I've used them. Time to pass on.

6) The yellow tinted shaker is missing a lid. I have several other shakers so I do believe we can live without this one. :)

7) The orange lid to my favorite Life Factory water bottle. The kiddos broke that a couple of weeks ago ((sniff)). I LOVED that thing. Oh, well! The lone lid isn't doing me any good.

Wonder what burdens I'll rid the house of tomorrow.........