Well, I sent in my trade name registration application yesterday. Fingers crossed that it goes through quickly. I registered the name "Prints Charming" but if that falls through, I'll try my second choice.

My mother-in-law is flying in from Sweden tomorrow evening and the girls and I have spent the last two days trying to get all the last minute cleaning done so that the place isn't a pig sty. It's pretty clean, I'm guessing it will stay that way for about 5 hours max. It never ends, does it?

That's what's so unrewarding about cleaning. You know that after all the work is done, you'll just have to do it all over again in a few days. You know that saying, "A clean house is a sign of a wasted life"? I tried that logic on my husband. Apparently he doesn't agree ;)

Our carpet is pretty much a disaster. But I guess that is to be expected when you have 3 kids who refuse to listen to my warning NOT to eat in the carpeted rooms. I'm going to start saying, "Hey, why don't you go into the living room and pour your chocolate milk all over the floor." I figure, at least it would seem like they are listening to me then. Save myself the disappointment. Oh, and having a dog who drags in dirt or decides that when she has diarrhea, going on the carpet is a much better choice than on the tile where it's easier to clean. Hence, our newest robot in the house, the spot bot. That thing is magical! There isn't much I dislike more than cleaning stains out of the carpet (especially diarrhea stains). And I'm not very good at it. Which is probably why I don't like it.

Do you remember the story about when Lizzy was a puppy and she had an accident on the den floor and Andreas decided to put flour on it to soak it up? Pee paste. Not fun to get out of carpet. He is a very smart man but there are things he does that just make me want to say,"What the hell were you thinking?" p.s. honey, if you are reading this, you know you deserve it once in a while ;) 

Cleaning sucks. But do you know what is almost worse than cleaning? Getting your kids to clean. Yeah, ever tried to get a teenager to clean the bathroom? If I had no arms and was blind I could do a better job. In half the time too. But I can't complain. My little ankle biters unload the dishwasher for me daily which makes me happy. I don't like that job. And typically I refuse to clean up Lizzy poop in the yard. Hey, I didn't want the dog! Sure I love her, but still. You almost feel like you should walk behind her with a shovel when she goes outside. But now that the days are hot and dry, the bombs get a good crust on them which makes it a lot less messy. Sorry, was that too much?

Ok, I think that's a good place to stop.