We had a bit of a nutty evening yesterday. We hauled everyone into the city for a bit of a later errand run, and accomplished almost nothing off of our list. My one appointment fell through, but we blew past it and decided it was ok, and we’d go do our grocery shop instead. But for the first time in years, we got to the grocery store, and decided to just skip it and go home because Solly was screeeaaaming and would absolutely not be pacified by anything. Literally, not a thing. Food, drinks, meds, snuggles, taking him out of his car seat, nothing. He wailed and wailed and would not be comforted. So our trip to the city was mostly a bust, with the small uppers being that we ducked in on Jerilee’s place to say hi, and that I got to pick up one of the makeup items I decided to purchase with my birthday money! Woot!

I’ll admit that I was pretty wiped out after that wildly unsuccessful trip into the city, and fell asleep very tired and discouraged. We REALLY had needed a productive evening and it was a total bust.

I woke up quite tired, as I have been lately, but the kids were in happy moods and got their breakfast together easily. I didn’t realize right away, but halfway through breakfast I realized the floor was covered in cereal. SUCH a mess. As in much worse of a cereal/breakfast mess than usual. I asked if they had been throwing cereal or how they had made such a big mess, and while neither Dekker or Laela would tell me what happened, they both insisted they would clean it up. And really, if they’re going to clean it up, why worry, right?

Once breakfast was over, Dekker ran for the vacuum and eagerly waited while I got Solly out of his spot and dumped out both high chairs. Its amazing how much those things hold! Wow! Tell me it isn’t just us, lol! I moved the high chairs away from the table and asked Laela if she would move the other chairs. I know Dekker is the master of the vacuum, but I’ve been trying to find a job that is specifically for Laela while Dekker is vacuuming, and I thought she could move the chairs. As expected, Dekker dove into that job as well and moved a bunch as well. Then he began vacuuming and Laela ran off to play with Rowan. I caught her on her way out, though, and reminded her that the bulk of the mess was actually quite obviously from her, and she needed to do her part in cleaning up. Right away, she agreed and asked what she should do.

That was how she ended up wiping down all of the dining chairs and high chairs with lysol wipes!

She loved the job, and worked on chairs the entire time Dekker vacuumed, which was a pretty long job. Sure, neither result was perfect, but I don’t expect perfection from myself, and by default, and definitely don’t require it from my kids. They’re kids, for crying out loud! Lol! But they did GREAT, and while they have such beautiful giving hearts and a desire to help, I want to nurture and encourage that the best way I can. So I think this may be something of a new normal.

Now to just think of a regular daily-ish job for Rowan. Hmmm. I’ve read lots of ideas for young kids but so few of them are regular, daily jobs. Anyone have any ideas? Please throw them out there!!

Regardless of whether or not Ro has something to do, I loved the teamwork and the happy attitudes this morning. I swear, they were happier to work and do a job for me than they usually are to play with their toys. It was lovely!

Thank you SO much for all you do, kids!!! You made it a great morning!