I too like my kitchen spotless before any projects. Doesn't matter that I'm using one space, all counters, tables and sinks are clean before I start so I don't have to stop to find a clean spot to set something.
As for the play pen, we have a baby monitor in the barn so after little girl is in bed or napping, we can work outside. My mom doesn't like that we leave her in the house alone, but it isn't like we are leaving the property. Stuff has to be done and cannot do it while strapped to the house.