Site Meter Parenting Under the Stars » Blog Archive » Mess, Mud and Lawn Chairs

Mess, Mud and Lawn Chairs

by Sandra Williams

Muddy: Jonathon IsaacAll the children are coming out of the woodwork around here and so are the bikes, skateboards and basketballs. Most of them are not even wearing sweaters. My kids don’t want to stop long enough to eat. I guess it’s been a long winter.

Muddy Messy Kids

With everything melting, it’s also very muddy so the mop is now near the front door ready for damage control. We’re not carpet people and I truly don’t understand how anyone keeps them clean. We have a couple mats by the door but they’re washable.

I was pleased to see Arianne keeping it real by bravely posting a pic of her home as it normally looks. I do run around like a mad woman cleaning up before someone arrives. This is part of the reason that I prefer people let me know they’re coming.

We have an extremely tidy family next door and I guess I just wasn’t on the ball fast enough for spring cleaning because one of the girls was raking our yard and consulting me on who owns what. I guess I was supposed to feel guilty because my upside down lawn chair and folded shopping cart reflected poorly on their pristine lawn.

Making the lawn chairs stand out

I swear I saw the neighbours scrubbing their plastic chairs for over an hour. Last year I painted mine all different colors. People have a habit of stealing those white plastic lawn chairs around here but this time they couldn’t do it without being caught because mine were bright yellow, green and blue.

They did get smashed up by the end of the year from our kids and their crazy picnics but they weren’t stolen. Our children love giving food away in the summer but we now have designated cheap picnic food figured out like popcorn and crackers.

Seatbelt lawnchairsThis year I might make a couple of these seatbelt lawn chairs since those old aluminum ones are around and broken all over the place. They seem sturdy and easy to clean and you can fold them, stash them and still hose them down after the kids are done with them. See Wastelands of Suburbia for more on the sea belt lawn chair.


One Response to “Mess, Mud and Lawn Chairs”

  1. House Cleaning Says:

    Nice and usefull post, thanks, this is one for my bookmarks!

Leave a Reply


About Parenting Under the Stars

Everyone wants a happy healthy family but sometimes parents need help with practical solutions to parenting challenges. Learn a new craft, talk about discipline or share tips, tricks and recipes. Explore with us the joys and challenges of raising children at Parenting Under the Stars.

Parenting Under the Stars Author(s)

Parenting & Family Channel Posts

  • Happy 4th of July
    I know that unless you are in the mood to run around like a crazy woman, the tips here may not be very helpful.  But, at the same time, some of you might like to employ some of the ides here on [...]
  • Talking about Learning
    As most of you know, we talk alot about parenting issues and teaching our children.  What I want to discuss is learning…for adults.What do you think I have in mind? I have a B.S. in [...]
  • Dealing with Anger
    You folks here have never failed me.  And, so I ask you the following question in hopes of gaining some in sight into how others handle the same issues.  Or how you would if it were an [...]
  • Little things
    There are a lot of things that suck about being a part time dad. Not having him here all the time. Going half days on holidays and birthdays. The big stuff that you think about when seperated parents [...]
  • Dear Alcohol,
              Dear Alcohol, First & foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours. As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work [...]
  • Helpful Hints
    Ant Repellant: To keep ants out of the house, find where the ants are entering the house and sprinkle a "barrier" of cinnamon or any type of ground pepper to block their way. The spices are too [...]
  • Coming Soon!
    Coming soon to reviewingbabygear.com is a review and giveaway of The Boon Bug Pod Bath Storage Scoop from All Modern Baby. All Modern Baby is a modern children's furniture site that carries a [...]
  • Important Summer Heat Tips
          As the days get longer and the temperatures climb higher, it's especially important for us to avoid heat-related problems that can adversely affect our health. Along with [...]
  • Beautiful Baby Slings
    I have found with this new baby of mine, that he is not an easy sleeper. He is not one of those infants that you can put him down and he will just sleep. After 5-10 minutes in anything he cries. [...]
  • Decatur Toy Store Closes
    The Wyker's Toy Store in Hunstville, Alabama has had to close their doors. The store has been around since 1888, talk about letting go of history this was one toy store that just kept pushing [...]

Hot Off The Press

  • John Cena With Make-A-Wish Happen at Game Stop - Video
    John Cena teams up with the Make A Wish Foundation to make a dream come true. [...]
  • Happy Fourth of July
    Wishing you all the best for this holiday weekend o please be careful but do enjoy yourself… Technorati Tags: July 4,Independence day,fireworks [...]
  • What can I say? Dr. Baldwin deserves this
    This is my fourth of July edition an I feel that to honor someone who serves our country is the way to go.  This man is famous however, a stint on The Bachelor has probably ruined any chance at [...]
  • Raw in Auckland, McCool Photos, "Million Dollar" Profiled
    -World Wrestling Entertainment has kicked off this week-end in Auckland, New Zealand. You an see photos of the the Raw roster for the event on WWE.com. -Michelle McCool has new photos in her ecent [...]
  • Tennis, Anyone? (and AYBS Pt. 2)
    Hey ... better late than never, right?? For you tennis fans who dig the Wimbledon scene, you've still got one more day to visit Starcards.org and bid on the only WTA Tour No.1 Jersey signed by [...]
  • Halfway Through
    A couple of the bloggers around the internet have mentioned that we're halfway through the year, which I probably wouldn't have even thought about if it hadn't have been brought to my attention. I [...]
  • The Lunar Eclipse and Your Natal Chart
    The Lunar eclipse on July 7 is the first of two eclipses in this month. Where the eclipse is in your chart is marks an area that is poised for activation in the next six months. To see how this [...]
  • Happy 4th of July
    I know that unless you are in the mood to run around like a crazy woman, the tips here may not be very helpful.  But, at the same time, some of you might like to employ some of the ides here on [...]
  • To Clean Up A Bit ...
    Okay ... normally I'd be jawjackin' about the latest happenings or doohickies in rock music, right? But, y'know, sometimes yer PC just doesn't wanna behave when you're doin' the Last Writes [...]
  • Indepence Day
    Does it resonate strong with yu?  Do you have tons of memories of traditions from your years as a child?  What does that entail?  For me, it’s homemade ice cream and watermelon with [...]