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I’m so enjoying a touch of Indian summer (is that politically correct? If not I meant ‘First Nations summer’). I guess, I should just say I am enjoying the warm weather, but it doesn’t sound as good. Indian summer means a BONUS … EXTRA summer in fall. Environment Canada says it’s 27c (81f) today. Fabulous!

This is in the park in the center of town. It’s lovely … warm … sunny. I love fall.

I’m trying to get a few more closets cleaned … the loot for goodwill just keeps on growing. I have a few more fabulous eBay auctions almost ready to go (THE WORK) as well.

What are you up to?

I’ll be back …

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ’schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
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Before I sold thebabymarketplace, I was always busy. I had an excuse for NOT keeping a tidy and organized house (or so I told myself). Well the excuse is sold (thank GOD) and all I am left buried under eight years of clutter.

I gave myself the summer off (buying time). Finally late last week, after much procrastination, I started tackling the kid’s rooms.

Georgia’s room ‘was’ bursting with ’stuff’ (dreaded stuff … it’s suffocating me). Every nook and cranny of her closet was full and overflowing.

You thought I was kidding, didn’t you? When all the closets and drawers were full, I started piling clothing she’d out grown on the toy bins. You’re probably thinking that tower of clothing fell over a lot, right? Well it DIDN’T … because I am talented like that!

Which makes me wish I had more useful talents, the chances of me getting a full-time clothing-stacking job is pretty slim. Then again, work is over-rated, hence, my retirement.

This is the part of the cleaning and organizing job that I hate. The middle part, where you’ve pulled out and emptied every shelf, drawer and skillfully arranged clothing pile; and you realize that you’ve 10x the amount of work you anticipated and 10x the crap! Just don’t give up.

Holy fricken’ crap, was I on crack? What child needs than much stinkin’ stuff?! “NO MORE”, I say.

Just a few hours later, some sweat and a few difficult decisions (goodwill? ebay? garbage? back in the closet?) later, and things are really looking UP and empty. Bliss!

A nice pile of ‘gently used’ stuff for goodwill. This is where the handy-dandy Mr. MK comes in. I only take trash and recyclables as far as the door.

I also managed to sort all of the ‘like new’ items into boxes for ebay. Georgia had so many clothes that were barely worn. Gorgeous clothing that could use a good home. It took me about 4-5 hours to clean out her room, and about 8-9 hours to get the first auction up on ebay. NOT because I am clueless, but because it is so large and I wanted to be thorough and precise. If you are looking for quality girls clothing in size 2T – 3T –> check out my auction. This auction is for about $2500+ clothing, auction starts at 99 cents with NO reserve. Would you tell your friends?

Several more to come in the next couple of weeks. I am ashamed of myself for even having that much stuff.

My office area is next, I want to crawl under a rock.

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ’schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
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Last week Georgia started preschool. She was very excited, mostly with her pink/blue furry backpack complete with a pink poodle attachment. Hey, whatever makes you happy baby girl.

Mr. Mk was home sick. Not so great for Mr. MK, but Georgia was thrilled her daddy was on hand to take her to school.

Each school day starts with a trip outside to enjoy the park and playground. Georgia hasn’t ever had to line up before, she but she didn’t seem concerned to be at the back of the line, or so I thought!

Obviously the back of the line isn’t where Georgia intends to spend her school career. By the time they’d made it outside she had positioned herself up front.

Nobody Puts Baby Georgia in the Corner!

When I picked her up she was happy as could be :)

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ’schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
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Winner is: Callee – email me please @ kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com to claim your prize.

These two little words can make me crazy: I’m hungry

What do you mean you’re bloody hungry? You just ate 10 minutes ago.

Honestly, ALL three of the younger kids would eat non-stop if I let them. Sam and Georgia can be pacified with something healthy like apple or carrots or cheese or yogurt. Lizzy generally wants sweets of some kind (it makes me even crazier).

The hour or so before supper is very painful for Georgia. I cut off all snacking (whether healthy or not). She has to go a whole 60 minutes without food, and every 5 minutes she is asking if supper is ready.

Lately, she’s started pulling up a chair to watch supper cook. She doesn’t make it easy on herself. This is what I’d call, self inflicted pain!

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ’schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
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Later this week, I am going to take some family photos for a friend. I am flattered she asked (of course), but terrified. I have until recently, taken most photo’s on ‘auto’. I am still trying to navigate all the bells and whistles on the new camera. Basically, I get the odd good shot by luck. I’ve been practicing; the kids aren’t all that fond of my hobby, and therefore, hesitant to help me out.

Lizzy is fairly cooperative, however, she always demands that I show her the pictures before posting (yah right).

Sam will sit still, but his lack of enthusiasm is evident.

The only decent pictures I get of Georgia are candid shots. Don’t get me wrong, I like candid shots, but I really want to sit the kids down and practice. There are all kinds of buttons and dials … and I just can’t switch settings fast enough to shoot moving subjects. Candid shots for me have to be taken on auto.

CHILDREN. PLEASE. I. WANT. TO. PRACTICE. (and get a good snap of ALL three of you – really it shouldn’t be this hard).

My plan was to set them all together on a rustic bench in the front yard. The leaves are just starting to change and there are some pretty colors. I figured I’d get Lizzy and Sam all set up and then get Georgia in there at the last minute.

Me: “NO … closer, NO … closer — Sit right next to each other!”
Sam: “Why do we have to sit so close?”

His sister is a girl … God help him if they get too close.

Me: “Because I said so.”
Georgia: “Sam it’s the POWER OF LOVE!”

Bwahahaah … they’re all laughing now. Georgia told a joke and it was actually pretty funny!

They’re so happy they’re kissing … first Lizzy kissed Sam.

Then Sam kissed Lizzy. The ‘power of love’ indeed. They’re blurry (because I wasn’t on auto), but monumental moments that need documenting.

The lovefest turned into to chaos! Joking Georgia ended up pouting on the step.

“I don’t want you to take my picture!”

I gave up on my dream of a group shot. After reevaluating the situation, I decided I was going to be happy to get in a little practice.

Sam is still sulking and Lizzy is still giddy with ‘the power of love’ and can’t quite get it together. Little do they know I can practice, no matter the expression!

She’s REALLY getting crazy.

Lord help us, is Sam smiling AGAIN?

You’re probably thinking that I need a helper. Mr. MK could be my assistant right? Nooooo … he’s busy sawing logs!

No, REALLY, he is sawing logs!

Misery Guts Georgia wanders over … all that laughing is intriguing, now she wants in on the fun.

Once again, I’m dreaming of the perfect group shot.

Poof — that’s the sound of my group shot going up in smoke!

I think I am going to have to be happy with those ‘candid moments’.

Go on beat it. Ya bunch of no good …

HA … just kidding they’re off to the corner store for a slurpee, being ‘rotten’ models is hard work.

If you live close and your children are better behaved than mine, could I practice on them? FREE!

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ’schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
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