Exercises in futility

I decided to clean the house today, which is where the title of this post derives most of its meaning.

When the kids finally went down for naps and quiet time, I finished the skirt for Aria’s baby, Enna. That is where the title derives the rest of its meaning.

If you look at it at just this angle, the skirt looks like it turned out okay.
If you look at it at just this angle, the skirt looks like it turned out okay.
But it didn't. I've made this skirt multiple times for my own girls and others, and so I got cocky and thought I could make it this time without consulting the super simple directions on Made. Then the girls lost my measuring tape, and in addition to trying to remember the instructions, I was eyeballing measurements. Bad call. But I need to bring my sewing machine in for repairs, so I don't have time to start over...Baby Enna will just have to make do, I guess.
But it didn’t. I’ve made this skirt multiple times for my own girls and others, and so I got cocky and thought I could make it this time without consulting the super simple directions on Danamadeit. Then the girls lost my measuring tape, and in addition to trying to remember the instructions, I was eyeballing measurements. Bad call. But I need to bring my sewing machine in for repairs, so I don’t have time to start over…Baby Enna will just have to make do, I guess.

Let’s see, what else happened. Oh, I made paella (with seitan chorizo–my favorite kind!).

I couldn't even believe it, but Mary loved this. I've been so frustrated with her eating lately, but this was a nice reprieve from her mealtime screams.
I couldn’t even believe it, but Mary loved this. I’ve been so frustrated with her eating lately, but this was a nice reprieve from her mealtime screams.

During dinner, Abe told me he had a surprise for me and that he couldn’t wait any longer to show me. He was going to wait until my first day of school (Wednesday!!), but I was lucky and he gave it to me tonight…

A new backpack!! We got my mom a new backpack for her birthday, and Abe saw how much I LOVED her backpack. Ever since, he's wanted an excuse to get me one. Didn't he do a great job? I'm so excited to wear it--I feel ten years younger in it!
A new backpack!! We got my mom a new backpack for her birthday, and Abe saw how much I LOVED her backpack. Ever since, he’s wanted an excuse to get me one. Didn’t he do a great job? I’m so excited to wear it–I feel ten years younger in it!

Let’s see. What else. Well, I did read a little to the girls, and Lydia “helped” me dust upstairs and disinfect the bathrooms. She even helped me vacuum a bit, too. I also too some cute pictures of the girls.

IMG_4901 IMG_4898And I practiced the piano, too. Mary is so cute. She spent a lot of time on my lap trying to play, and she gets really excited about moving the piano lid up and down. When she’s not on my lap, she loves to make a beeline for the stairs. I get my exercise in jumping up from the piano (I always wait until the very last second) and racing to the stairs to make sure she doesn’t fall down them. Today I almost waited too long on one trip and reached Mary just as she started falling down. I tried to play it safe from there on out.

And now, for real, I hope finally to go finish my novel. I start school on Wednesday, and I feel like I might not get another chance to finish!!