It’s a TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE TUESDAY!
And because we are in the throes of summer, today’s topic is the…TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SUMMER GIVE UPS.
What does this mean exactly?
Well, there are some things around the home I refuse to “give up” during the summer months when my kids are all home from school.
Exhibit A:
A tidy kitchen.
But then there are other things I do “give up” during the summer months when my kids are home.
Exhibit B:
The porch.
And thus, here are the TOP FIVE THINGS I REFUSE TO GIVE UP along with the BOTTOM FIVE THINGS I’VE DECIDED NOT TO CARE ABOUT.
I think this quote could also say “while your kids are home for summer break”.
A-n-y-o-n-e else feel me?
Okay, here are the TOP FIVE THINGS I REFUSE TO GIVE UP ON DURING THE SUMMER…
#5: BATHROOM COUNTERS
I just cannot walk into a bathroom and see cluttered, dirty, gross counters. I like clean counters that are cleared of a bunch of “stuff” with a clean hand towel out. I will let a lot slide during the summer, but I just can’t go into a messy bathroom.
#4: THE DISHES
I don’t know about you, but when God made me, he made my brain unable to function if there are dishes in the sink. I’m not sure how that’s possible…but it’s true. I can’t think straight if I know my sink has dishes in it, so getting them into the dishwasher and put back away is always a top priority for me…even during the summer season.
#3: KITCHEN COUNTERS
I love clean kitchen counters. I don’t even have to be using the kitchen to appreciate them. I like to just walk past the kitchen and see nice clean counters. This time of year, my kitchen is a 24/7 diner, part time craft studio, and world class bakery…but in between all “the things”, I’m cleaning it off.
#2: VACUUMING THE FLOORS
Ohhhhhh the joys of clean floors. Is there anything more satisfying than running a vacuum? It’s such instant gratification. Between the kids, the dogs, the sand, the food, the whatever, I feel like me and my bestie, Dyson, are constantly hanging out together. I always get a little since of pride when I’m done. It’s so satisfying.
#1: THE LAUNDRY
Nothing makes me feel more “un-squared away” than a bunch of laundry. Honestly? I would rather see a bunch of dirty laundry in my house than clean laundry that needs to be put away. I stay on top of the laundry like it’s a full time job during the summer. It only takes one day to completely throw off the whole “laundry week”. How is that possible? I don’t know. But I do know that if I skip laundry on a Tuesday, it somehow more than doubles on Wednesday, it’s multiplied by five on Thursday, and I somehow have to spend all day Sunday catching up. And HEAVEN FORBID if I got behind on a “sheet washing” day. The whole week is ruined.
So those are the things I don’t let slide even during the summer season.
Buuuuut, here are the TOP FIVE THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE I’VE DECIDED NOT TO CARE ABOUT DURING THE SUMMER…
#5: THE CAR
Andrew will probably disagree, but I just can’t bother with a clean car right now. Is there an empty water bottle on the floorboard right now? Yes. Is my sheer laziness the only reason why it’s still there? Yes. Yes, it is.
#4: THE SHOES
During the school year, I feel like my kids wear the same pair of shoes every single day. They have other options, but they always just grab the pair by the backdoor (almost always a sneaker) and go to school. Easy. This time of year though, they have flip flops. And Birkenstocks. And sandals. And sneakers. And they’re all piled by the door. I’ve decided just to keep my eyes up whilst entering and exiting the front door.
#3: ALL THE “THINGS”
During the school year, my kids “things” are pretty contained. They’re up early, out the door, home for dinner and then homework/extracurricular activities/chill time and then to bed. It’s kind of hard to get out a lot of “things” with that schedule. During the summer though, they have plenty of time to pull out a deck of cards, games, nail polish, lip gloss, bags, leashes, fuzzy socks, chargers, snacks, candy, cups, cups, cups, cups, and more cups. The two littles take tennis lessons every week and at one point this summer, they had their rackets and tennis balls out (because heaven forbid we put them up), and Smith started juggling tennis balls. And thus, a passion was born. Now, all he does is juggle. He’s up to five balls now and has even purchased “an advanced juggling kit” (who knew those existed?). He has always been my academically driven child but right now at this moment, I think he’ll forgo college and join the circus instead. Needless to say, there are a bunch of balls lying around my house. I’m watching where I step and letting it go.
Speaking of Smith…
#2: SMITH’S CLOTHES
This kid has somehow managed to not put a single thing back in his drawers and instead, he’s living out of two laundry baskets. I fought it at first (just put these clean items in the drawers!), but now, I could care less. If he wants to dig out his clean clothes from two plastic laundry baskets that sit at the foot of his bed, what do I care? Sigh.
#1: THE FRONT PORCH
And per that photo at the top of this post, I have clearly given up on the front porch. We have shoes piled out there. And coolers. Beach chairs. I think I walked by and saw a pack of bottled iced tea. There’s probably a leash. It’s a catch all for our summer life. Right there on the front porch. I did apologize to my neighbor once about it and she said that she likes to walk by and see it there because it reminds her that a family is there. Which is a very very sweet thing to say about our very very messy front porch.
And that, my friends, are my TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SUMMER GIVE UPS 🙂
Now…
It wouldn’t be a TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE without Andrew weighing in too.
Please note, I found Andrew’s list especially funny because I am clearly working AGAINST him this summer without knowing it on a few things! Hahaha!
ANDREW’S TOP FIVE SUMMER GIVE UPS:
#5: Tidy house. Beach stuff, tennis balls, golf equipment. Everything has a spot.
#4: Picking up after the dogs in the yard.
#3: All the girls’ hair on the floor. I am constantly vacuuming!
#2: Laundry. Wow we change clothes a lot.
#1: Washing the outside of the cars. Salt water is rough.
ANDREW’S BOTTOM FIVE SUMMER MESS:
#5: Daily grocery shopping. We don’t eat at home as much here so I miss my daily runs!
#4: Sand in the cars. The first year, I was a mess about this but now I don’t even notice it. At the end of the season I have both cars detailed and it works great.
#3: Sharing a bathroom with my teens. I’ve learned to love it and one day I’ll miss it!
#2: Fully unpacking the car after the beach. They both stay beach ready. I used to empty all things (chairs, coolers, toys), but now they live in them for the most part.
#1: Did I mention sand? So much when we go home the suitcase will have it inside. 🤣🤣
And those are the TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE SUMMER GIVE UPS here at the Shull house!
Now, don’t forget to check out these other TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE blog posts:
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: END OF SCHOOL YEAR
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VALENTINE’S CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CONDIMENTS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOLIDAY HOLIDAY THINGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: STORE-BOUGHT COOKIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: ICE CREAM FLAVORS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SPRING CLEANING
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: TRAVELING BY PLANE
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SKIING WITH YOUR FAMILY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS MOVIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HALLOWEEN CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CEREALS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOUSEHOLD CHORES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS SONGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THANKSGIVING FOODS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE ROAD TRIP SNACKS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VEGETABLES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT FALL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS FOODS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SNOW DAYS
Now, it’s your turn! What are your TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE SUMMER GIVE UPS? What are things you refuse to give up and things you let slide during this season? I would LOVE to know!
Please comment and share!
HAPPY TUESDAY, friends!
If you’re looking for a yummy SUMMER DESSERT this week, please don’t forget to try…
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I have shared over 7,000 blog posts, and this one little recipe has received more views by a mile than any of the others.
It is absolutely perfect for your mid-July.
Okay, I’m off! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Faith says
“My best friend, Dyson” hahaha this one made me lol at 6am! so true. so so funny!
Emilee says
Oh this made me laugh! So much to love about summer and how it makes us more relaxed in certain ways.
Elspeth Mizner says
I can relate to this on the shoes and socks level and the cups! So many cups all the time, everywhere!
Fun post!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Laura Fuller says
Good Morning! I am with you on the floors. I have vacuum upstairs and downstairs. Also, if your stick Dyson battery is dying, look for the EGR brand on amazon. It is stronger and lasts longer than the original.
Allison says
The CUPS! What is with all the cups!!! Everywhere I turn there are three cups on the end table, three cups on nightstands, three cups in the kitchen. Mind you I only have two kids. Agh!
Laci Murray says
this is the part of summer that I have lost my will to live…
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahahahaha! I just lol!
SS says
This just made me laugh. You have gone from Legos to tennis’s balls. Our dogs leave them in places and I just use them to rub my feet! 😆
Enjoy your last few weeks of summer!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
oh my gosh, you’re exactly right!
Elizabeth says
Your comments about Smith made me laugh. Smith = my 14 year old 🤣 So nice to know all these teen boys do this to their moms!
Laura says
My grown husband lives out of two laundry baskets for non-hang up clothes (socks, undies, tshirts, workout shorts). Honestly, it’s SO much easier for me laundry wise. I dump the dirties and toss everything from the dryer back into the clean basket. Highly recommend!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am going to need you to one day coach the future Mrs. Smith Shull through this for me. 😉
Beth says
Hey I say clothes in baskets is better than clothes all over the floor!
K.K. says
I am so with you, Shay!! Dirty dishes make me crazy!!
I have so much more peace in our home when the kitchen is clean. Even the sound of our dishwasher running is soothing to me; my husband thinks I’m nuts. 😉
Casey says
Do your big kids come the entire time yall are there? This year my oldest is entering high school and he joined the band. I feel like it’s taking over my life. They had a parent meeting instructing us when we couldn’t vacation! We had one planned for July but thankfully it didn’t interfere with camp bc I guess they aren’t above asking you to cancel. They already started conditioning in June. I know high schoolers have a lot going on. Our district is just ten minutes up the road from yours and football already started their two-a-days but I know you said Smith was there. I think we start a few days before yall bc we are on a 4-day week. Anyway, I was just wondering how you juggle the teen schedules with living “away” for the summer. High school parenting is not for the weak ugh lol.
Mix and Match Mama says
Smith has been able to be here the entire time with us this summer, but Kensington’s schedule didn’t allow as much. This has been our fourth season here and each one has looked a little different. Her high school cheer bookends the summer, but football doesn’t start until mid-August. Ashby’s cross country doesn’t start until school is back in session either. It changes every year a bit.
Beth Valenta says
I am with you on dishes in the sink and am not sure why things don’t land in the dishwasher right next to it. I won’t compromise on laundry being done and checking emails and deleting. Since I am off in summer, I really don’t need to do this, but I do every morning.
I let go of dinner regime. I always have it posted weekly, and I am like eat a sandwich or figure it out some nights when I choose to have plans. But that leads to him being in the kitchen and back to the sink dishes. LOL
Arika says
I was scrambling to finish Calamity Club before I logged on this morning thinking the 21st was book club day. I’m a day ahead… kind of unlike me, especially in the summer!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
I am so with you on the kitchen and bath counters! I can’t stand clutter on them unless someone is working on a project. I love how Andrew embraces sand until the end of the summer. There’s no point in fighting it until summer activities are over!