A School With No Home

I had had it. Steve had had it. Sure, we have three young children, but that's no reason for our home to look like a disaster area. So this past Saturday was cleaning day. It was actually Steve's idea. "Why don't we clean this weekend?" might be one of the most romantic things he's ever said to me. My biggest grievances were the carpets that hadn't been vacuumed in who knows how long. For Steve, it was the dining room table, aka school. Oh. I hadn't realized that our table covered with books, notebooks, construction paper, and glitter was such a source of consternation for my dear sweet husband. Not that I'm immune to clutter. And I rather love organization. Some women relax at a spa, or by taking long walks. I go to The Container Store. But for some reason, the crazy and chaotic dining room table did not bother me. For one thing, I could work there with my laptop while the kids did crafts or homework. And I liked having everything (quite literally, almost everything) right there when it was time to have a lesson. It did bother me a little that I could never find a book or worksheet when I needed it, but that was our school. I don't have a before picture, but here is the after.

As you can see, all that remains of our school is the schedule taped to the wall. Steve is delighted. And so, I have to find another place for school. This morning, the girls and I made "puzzle pies" on the smaller kitchen table. I took out everything we needed, which was on one side of the kitchen, then put it all back when we were done. What fun is that? But Steve does like seeing the dining table. Perhaps it's time for me to set up a real school area with a table and small chairs, cubbies and bins. Oooh, I'm getting excited now. Time to go to The Container Store!