Okay, this is totally a stretch. But, I'm going to run with it anyway. So... let's get down to what's really going on in the kitchen. Let's take a look inside what holds it all together.
1. cleanliness: Anyone who has been in my kitchen knows I am not one for keeping it squeaky clean. I don't scrub as often as I should in there. But, I have to keep it in pretty good order or I go crazy. I can't function when my kitchen counter is covered in anything: food, papers, children, crayons, anything. It's imperative that I have clean space to work with. This is especially true of my sink. I lose all my patience just looking at a sink full of dishes. I can't handle it. I need at least one side totally empty in order to keep the peace as I do the dishes.
2. the basics: I recently organized my grocery lists and put the food we use on a rotation. I made a list of things I need to buy every week and those I need to get a couple times each month. Then there is a list of things to pick up monthly. Then I separated these and made weekly lists and put them in my planner on sticky-notes. So, when I get the ads each week I know what I'm looking in the sales. This helps me resist the temptation to buy things just because they are on sale. And it helps me to be prepared to make staple meals that don't require much planning. I don't want to make pancakes and go to the pantry and find that we're out of syrup. That would signal a melt-down for me pretty quickly. So, it's good to have the basics on hand.
3. no kids in the kitchen!: Okay, I'm a little lenient on this one. Mostly it means while I'm cooking. My kids are all at the age where they get under my feet quickly and stay there, no matter how fast I move. It's a pretty impressive ability, actually. I must be predictable because they seem to know exactly where I'm headed. So, generally speaking, I have a "no kids in the kitchen" policy while meals are being prepared and served. They are restricted to the dining area if they need to be near the kitchen at all.
4. Sharing the work: I grew up doing a dish-job every day. I have been excited to share this opportunity with my own kids, but it gets a little sticky in the organization. Like I said in #3, it's often much easier just to have the kids out of the kitchen. I have given Caleb the chore of unloading the dishwasher for me. He does whatever he can reach and leaves the rest for me. It has been so nice to share this job! I used to dread starting the dishwashing cycle because I knew that meant I had to unload the dishwasher again at the end of it. Now it's much less stressful and it's teaching him to help out a little. He sometimes complains, but he's pretty happy to do it most of the time. The ultimate example of helping me out is my husband. He does the dishes often and always without my asking him. I do not like to ask for help and he is gracious enough to pick it up and do it on his own. He's my hero.
So, there you have it: an x-ray of my kitchen. Okay, now let's move on to something more interesting!
William is my little angel. Unfortunately, he knows there is a soft spot in my heart for him and he is as devious as he is adorable. Well, almost. He loves to eat sweets of any sort. He likes most foods, but can't be fussed about eating when there is just about anything else to do. He loves balls and cars and playing with his siblings. He loves to be tickled and chased and he loves the wii. William's favorite things to do in the kitchen are eat, drink, and color. Breakfast is his favorite meal, unless you can call dessert a meal. He has at least one bowl of cereal and anything else I offer. Berries are a favorite with him too. He is also one of my best helpers in the kitchen. Whenever he sees me getting out my mixer he comes in to be my little side-kick. I love his red hair, blue eyes, and sheepish grin. I love my Billy-boy.
