Add A Bowl Of Soap

I'm really big on making my home a happy place.  It's gotta look cozy and welcoming, it's gotta smell like food, and it's gotta sound like life.  My home is never pristine and it'll drive a neat freak absolutely bonkers.  But my kids (and anyone else's kids who come over) feel like this is HOME.  And that's important to me. 

When you are having people over for dinner, a BBQ, a party, whatever, hopefully you will want them to feel comfortable in your home.  Here are a few things you might find helpful for the next time your guests are planning on coming over.

What you don't want your guests to walk into:

The Uptight, Don't-Do-This-Or-That-House

You know what house I'm talking about.  And see?  I've already used the word "house" instead of "home."  It's the type of house that's so clean and orderly with tons of those breakable objects and expensive paintings that the average person looking to have a good time with some friends will feel terribly uncomfortable even walking into.  When you're walking into a home like this, you feel as if you're walking into a museum.  The host is probably polite enough, but you feel as if you can't afford to touch anything in case you smudge it with your fingerprint and find out the object you've touched has been passed down from generation to generation and "everyone" knows you don't just pick that up.  What you usually hear from the host or people who've been to this place once before are things like, "Oh we don't sit on that chair, that's an heirloom," "Actually, could your kids stop jumping?  We don't allow loud feet in here," "Oh, excuse me, I'm sorry but we don't walk on the grass."  Unless you're planning a fancy dinner party, don't let your guests feel like they're walking on thin ice the moment they step into your home.

The Real "Don't Mind The Mess" House

Many people say, "Please don't mind the mess" when people walk into their home.  It's a habitual way of demonstrating humility or modesty about one's home.  But when you say it and prayerfully mean it, maybe you should've rescheduled the visit.  Here's what not to do:  Don't leave your laundry on the couch-- even though you've already washed and dried it, your guests simply see a pile of clothes and please don't let there be an underwear hanging out.  If your dog poops on the floor, even if it's on a puppy pad, please please please clean that up before your guests arrive.  And spray some air freshener.  If you have a pot of last night's dinner on the stove-- throw the food out and wash the pot.  Put on a bra-- enough said.  But most of all, if you are a hoarder (a true hoarder) please seek help before letting people come in.  Unless they're trying to get you out of there.  Now don't get me wrong, these are little things individually, but if you're really not ready to have company over, simply give your home a quick pick-up.  Put that load of clean laundry on your bed, clean up any yucky messes and air out your home.  It's good to let your home look lived in, but try not to let your guests feel uncomfortable or gross staying in it.

The House With "That Dog"

I love animals.  I have 4 pets of my own.  But I wouldn't ever want my guests to feel assaulted when I let them in.  My dog doesn't jump on guests-- he'll definitely approach them and hope for some pets, but he doesn't go crazy jumping all over them begging for a treat.  If you're a dog owner, it is a really beneficial thing to train your dog.  He doesn't have to have his Canine Good Citizen certification but he should be well mannered.  Not only would you be showing your guests that they are welcome in your home, but it is really great for your dog!  If you must have people over and your dog is just not a people kind of person, you might want to crate him while people are over.

What You Do Want Your Guests To Walk Into:

The Comfortable, Easy-Going Home

Your home should feel like home to welcomed guests-- and your family!  You don't have to make it look beautiful.  You don't have to feel bad about your kids jumping up and down.  And you definitely shouldn't apologize for even having a dog.  There are a ton of little things you can do to make your home FEEL happy.  Think of your five senses and go from there:

1. See:  Your home should look comfy and cozy. 
1. Put a throw on the couch.
2. Hang a fresh hand towel by your sink.
3. Clean your guest bathroom.
4. Get some fresh flowers and put the vase in the middle of your dining or entry table.
5. Let your kids play!
6. Brush your dog.
2. Hear:  A quiet home is an uncomfortable one.
1. Turn the TV on, not too loud but enough for background noise.  Put on a good, clean comedy.
2. Leave a couple (just a couple) of dishes in the sink so when you let your guests in you can leave them to have a seat and you can wash the dishes.  It lets them relax.
3. Talk to them!
3. Smell:  Food is always a good welcoming gesture.
1. Before your guests arrive, heat up a pan of olive oil and some garlic.  Keep it on low so as not to let it burn.  Garlic, although not a good kissing scent, is a great way to break up any nervousness in the atmosphere.
2. Heat up a candle warmer with some kind of baked goods scent.  I personally like my Scentsy blueberry cheesecake scent.
4. Touch:  When people are nervous, they tend to need something to keep their hands busy.
1. Brush your dog! 
2. Keep a comfy teddy bear on the couch.
3. Have a few books or magazines out.
4. Knick-knacks are great for keeping guests entertained.
5. Taste:  Again, food is always a good welcoming gesture.
1. If your guests are not coming for dinner or a party, have a bowl of chips or pretzels out on your dining or coffee table.
2. Make a good queso or other type of dip.
3. Have a pitcher or iced tea or water out for them.

I'm a huge home person.  I love my home and when people come over I want them to feel at home.  Most of all, though, I want my kids to remember the feeling of home as a good, loving place that they always felt safe in both emotionally and physically.

I keep a variety of soaps in a bowl by my kitchen sink.  It adds color and makes people smile. 

I've seen it!

 

My fridge holds things that makes me smile.  Pictures, art, and good coupons.

I keep my fruit, veggies and bread in baskets on my counter.  It looks busy but also fun!

My home would drive a neat freak crazy!!  My dining room is also a mini-library and art space.

 

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Holiday!

Guess who has time to deep clean the apartment!  This girl!  Yay!  I've been on Christmas Break all week and I've been sOoOo HaPpY!!!  I love having time to do deep cleaning in my home.  It's so therapeautic.  But not only do I have time to deep clean, I have time to rearrange my furniture!  Because my apartment is so tiny, I have to make good use of the little space I have.  My living room is also my office.  :-)

 

My little guy, Sean, is a huge goofball.  After both boys dressed for Christmas pictures, Sean would not keep still for any practice shots at all.  He laughed, smiled with his eyes closed, made monkey faces, and kissey faces.  He definitely made it a lot of fun!

 

Caden is a bit more cooperative when it comes to picture taking.  He has always been my cheeser.  When I take pictures of him he usually asks me if he "smiled good."  Although Caden has his goofball moments, he is definitely more of a sweetheart. 

 

I stayed inside while the boys played in the snow.  I am such a baby when it comes to the cold.  The kids, all kids I suppose, play as if they couldn't feel the cold at all.  They threw snow at each other, made snow angels, and just laughed a lot.  I am so thankful for a white Christmas.  Caden and Sean love that Christmas looks different than the other seasons.  It comes with warm drinks, fires, presents and decorated trees.  But mostly, it comes white... if we're blessed enough.  :-)

 

Wherever and however you're spending Christmas, I hope it is filled with love and laughter.  And most of all I hope it is filled with your children's hugs.

 

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Too Many Toys!

Every parent experiences the land of toys in their home. Over time, these little critters crawl through our front doors in forms of gifts, donations, garage sales, or hand-me-downs. And they never leave! So many of us moms think, "Aww, but Aunt Jenny sent that for Sam's first birthday. I can't throw it away." Well, we don't have to! Moms, don't throw toys away. There are plenty of ways to reduce the mountain of childhood clutter and noise-makers.
If you really feel like your child will never play with certain things again (infant key rings and outgrown bicycles, etc.), please donate these to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. There are so many families in need and they could certainly use some toys for the little ones.
Another way of getting these things out of your house is to do a garage sale! Make some lemonade or hot cocoa (whichever the weather influences you) and let the kids sell them for five cents a cup. Kids love feeling needed and they adore the sense of ownership they'll gain from being given responsibilities. Let them help you put price tags on your items. If they're way too young for that, get another mom to hang out with her kid(s) so they can play while you manage your sale.
If you aren't into or just don't have the time for garage sales, you can take pictures of your items and post them in online classified ads. Craigslist.org is a popular website or you can google your city and see if you can find an online yardsale site for it.
A parenting coach taught me something new just recently. She said to box up half of the toy collection and put the box in your garage, attic, or wherever the kids won't normally go snooping around. After a month, have the kids open the box and watch them grin at all the "new" toys they have! Make sure to box up the other toys that you left out a month ago. Rotate the toys every month. This will not only keep your home neater, but it will keep your kids from getting too bored with the toys they already have. Plus-- you can save a little money on toys. :) Do it as often as you like.
J Shine

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