Mommy, Can We Do That Again?

The other week, our play rooms were a royal mess (I don't have pics from that day.) I think all the toys were on the floor. I wanted the kids to help clean-up of course, but dreaded it because Buddy doesn't really help. He will just stand or sit there and watch or just play....and then I end up yelling at him. So I started thinking how I could get him to help. Then I remembered a parenting class we went to a couple years ago. The teacher suggested making a picture check list for the kids.

So I did just that. This was Buddy's list. I'm not great at drawing, but he knew exactly what each picture was...bouncy ball (riding toy thingy), cars and trucks, play food, shopping cart, and balls. Princess received a similar list, but with different items.

It was amazing how fast they cleaned up. They loved checking the boxes off. They actually raced to see who would get done first.
I used a fun little notebook for each of them and their pens that they can wear around their neck. Buddy finished is list first and asked for another one. So I drew up another list for him. Then again with Princess. It was amazing!


When the rooms were cleaned up, they said "Mommy, can we do that again the next time?!" We have done it since they and they STILL love it!

Oh, How I Love Laundry...

... Let Me Count the Ways (please hear the sarcasm)

1 pile of laundry as high as Little Guy standing on Princess' shoulders
2 more drying racks needed
3 stains removed
4 stains pretreated
6 loads at least washed already today (not all are dried and put away)
10 rungs filled on my drying rack
11 men's dress shirts ironed (I am thinking of joining this sport!)
12 pair of men's khaki's washed, dried, and hung
18 more loads to do (just kidding - I hope)
23 pairs of socks matched by Princess

This is what I am now pondering:
* Should I do at least one load of laundry a day?
* Should I have a set laundry day each week?
* Should I skip buying living room furniture for another gazillion years and buy Whirlpool duets instead? (Everyone says that they hold so much more than a regular washer/dryer)
* Should I send all of hubby's shirts to the dry cleaner? I wonder how much it costs?
* Maybe Princess is old enough to help with the ironing. She already helps by matching socks.