Picture perfect

Grandma came out to help pack and get the house ready for the photographer. It was a very carefully orchestrated event. First, the kids found every toy and art supply in the house, and spread them out on the floor. This was to give a sense of contrast. Then they went to day care. Mom and grandma spent the entire day getting everything shoved into closets, swept, cleaned, and even flowers on the table. The photographer spent 45 minutes capturing lovely photos of the house in its pristine state. Half an hour later, the kids came home and the house promptly reverted to its usual mess. But hey, for 1/2 hour, it was clean!

It's been a bit of a juggle, putting as much stuff in boxes and out of the way as possible, without packing up anything useful and without filling up the rooms with boxes, since we needed to take pictures. But now, just pack, pack, pack...

Also couldn't get rid of the furniture we were going to get rid of too early, since then there wouldn't be anything to take pictures *of*. Also had the painters in, who painted everything in sight, and finished a few hours before the photographer showed up. Now if only we'd actually gotten rid of the ugly wall paper when we first moved in...

Have to admit to an awful lot of planting the kids in front of the TV when we couldn't get them to self-amuse another way. Sigh. But the did enjoy grandma's visit! And we certainly appreciated the packing help.