First Impressions

“Hey Hun, they said that their baseball game was cancelled and they can come over tonight after all,” he nonchalantly says.

“Oh, ok, so they will be here in a few hours?” I panic ask.

This is a newer family that we have been hanging out with. I like them. Their boys mesh well with my crazies. Jake gets along with the husband and I really like the wife. I want to try to foster a relationship with this family. So, ok, let’s have them over!

But instantly a million things race through my brain. I make a mental To Do list for myself.

• The bathroom smells like pee. I need to light a candle.
• Close the boys’ bedroom door so they don’t see the explosion of clothes littering the floor. 
• Get the swords and guns out of our weapons bucket and hide them. Somehow someone always gets hurt with one when we have company (and it’s usually pain inflicted by my own child).
• Take dishes out of the sink and throw them in the dishwasher.
• Slide all the art supplies back into the art table. Thank Ikea for making the best art table with built in storage and lids. 
• Throw the dirty clothes that are sitting on top of the washing machine IN the washing machine but start it later.
• Haul the 50 million toys sitting in the living room back into the playroom (where they should actually be played with).

Ok, now where to start first? Let’s tackle the entryway because this is the first impression and I don’t want to scare them off before they have a chance to at least make it through our door. 

But, this is the reality of how my entryway looks like about 80% of the time. It is our dumping zone. We deposit anything from Amazon boxes and shoes to purses and grocery bags. It is very functional but gets cluttered easily. 

Time to work some mommy magic. Get some cute pillows. Add the toy baskets to the bottom of the bench and collect the 40 pairs of shoes sitting out. Run and put the grocery bags in the car. Put purses and backpacks in the hall closet and tuck masks away in the kitchen junk drawer. 

Voila!

I check this zone off my list and move on to the next messy targeted area. Quick sweep here. Declutter there. The house is actually starting to look decent.

The car pulls up with 2 minutes to spare. 

Breathe. Smile. Open the door. 

Welcome to our home. I’m so glad you could make it. Can I take your coat?