Happy Birthday Jack

Friday was Jack's 12th birthday and we have reached a new phase of acquisition in the Furber house. We've transitioned from birthday gifts that are big and hard to store (think bikes, razors, train sets) to birthday gifts that are small and hard to keep track of (a green cell phone, a set of SkullCandy headphones, and a Larry Bird Celtics jersey.)

In the short term, I'm dreading the inevitable morning panic: "Mom, where did you put my cell phone?! It was right here under the sofa, next to my shoes and under the blanket! Aaaah! Why are you always moving my stuff?!!"

Aah, but in the long term, I can't help but fantasize about what I'm going to do with all that space. I estimate that I can fit about ten Larry Bird jerseys into the space a telescope takes, so I could probably take over Jack's entire closet and he might not even notice.

To any relatives reading Suburban Zen today: work with me. If you plan to give one of my children a gift, please make it small in size. In about 18 months, I think I can have all three of them sharing the same room and I'll finally have my workout room (see post Home Gym, 2009 Edition) or Jack, who's reading over my shoulder, suggests that JP and I could each have our own room.

Happy Birthday Jack. Move over -- I'm coming in with my yoga mat.

Tell Me What You're Missing, and I'll Tell You If I Gave It Away

Last week's post made me want to organize something, so I sent JP, Katie and Jasper to the dog park this morning and attacked Katie's room while they were gone.

Jack and I plowed through every drawer, shelf, bucket and tote and came up with a hefty bag full of clothes and toys to donate to charity and a half bag of trash and her room is sparkly clean and organized. We were prepared for Katie to flip out when she got home because her stuff was all moved, so Jack and I intervened with some psychological warfare: we left a note on her bed that said "Dear Katie, We cleaned your room for you. We hope you like it. XO Mom and Jack" and we left three Tootsie Rolls along with the note.

So far, so good.