Expectations vs. Reality

These are SOOOOOOO much my reality.   Plus, they make me laugh hysterically.  All images I got off Pinterest.  Gotta love that site.  Anyone else feel the same way as these realities?

Hair bows

So, yesterday I did a little crafting.  I don't get a TON of time to work on things like this (although I do get time for knitting and sewing - or rather I make time for those...).  But it was so fun.  I found these little hair clip ideas on Pinterest and copied them the best I could. 

Now.... to stick with the "reality" portion of this blog, I will show you the complete mess I made while doing this lovely project. 

And..... don't forget the fact that my kids were watching movies and destroying my house (again) while I was busy with my craftiness.  Oh well - a movie won't kill them while I do some creative exploration.  :)

Reality: The Playroom

Isn't this a beautiful playroom.  So peaceful and inviting.  Notice the little white chairs placed neatly around the table ready for creative play.  The beautiful children's artwork placed lovingly on the board so everyone can admire their artistic handiwork.  The awesome kid friendly bookshelf filled with toys that are going to inspire imaginative play from those amazing minds.  The little train is so perfectly put together and just waiting for a little boy to spend hours making the choo choo go around and around.  And those GREAT beanbag chairs just inviting the kids to come and spend a few hours in the pages of some awesome new library books.  I wonder how long it stays like this because...

This is our reality....

Notice the toys strewn EVERYWHERE.  The dismembered baby hanging out of the stroller.  And speaking of the stroller, my youngest refused to let me put this away.  She spends so much time in this thing, crazy girl.  Notice the massive amount of books that line the shelves ever so neatly - or not so much.  Notice the shoes that DO have a home, but just can't seem to find where that home is.  Not in this picture (but definately still in the room).... tiny star wars men with lots of small "not meant for children under three" pieces, a whole bucket of toys that hasn't been touched for, well, I can't remember how long, and several sippy cups.  And don't get me started on the LARGE stains under all those toys that are permanently etched in the lovely white carpet. 

Gotta love reality.

Reality Check #1

As the sun rose this morning I found myself enjoying some wonderful alone time with my precious little boy.  We snuggled on the couch and waited patiently until the rest of the family joined us for our day.  I was then able to sip my morning coffee while thoroughly enjoying bonding with my daughter while we baked some yummy chocolate chip cookies to share with our precious co-op friends tomorrow.  As my eldest and I worked hard on our homeschool work for the day, my baby enjoyed some breakfast and played quietly with her dolls in the living room.  I was able to enjoy a shower while my two girls spent some quality time together downstairs.  What a precious morning with my family. 

Reality Check (aka what really happened this morning)....

Cooper woke up before the crack of dawn this morning and begrudgingly I drug my tired body out of bed to turn on the "extras" for his video game.  I spent slept on the couch and then checked my email while Cooper was fully involved in the TV.  When Kaelyn finally woke up we said, "Oh crap - we have to make cookies for co-op tomorrow!" and frantically threw together some cookie dough.  We crammed our school work in as quickly as possible all while Campbell was eating a sucker (yes, at 9:30 in the morning), watching Sesame Street and completely destroying the family room.  I was finally able to cram in a shower (my first in the last four days) while Kaelyn "watched" Campbell.  This consisted of Campbell sitting in the stroller in the family room and both of their brains being sucked out by the TV. 

Do you get tired of reading blogs, postings on facebook, etc... about those perfect families out there.  They creatively homeschool their children every day, they feed their children only organic homegrown vegetables, their kids never fight or watch TV or eat candy.  Their families are full of harmonious family bonding moments and their house never has clutter or dirt of any kind.  Well, you won't find that here.  At our house we live in reality.  Our kids watch TV, eat candy and sometimes we throw a homeschool lesson in there.  But guess what?  We wouldn't change it at all.  We love our reality.  And hopefully, I can share a little bit of our reality with you so you'll realize that your life isn't so uncommon after all!  :)