We are making the boys take a much more active part in housework. They have always had things they have had to do when things get crazy, but we have never enforced it daily or weekly. Things are changing.
One thing they all have to do is clean off their dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Bryce needs a little help - he can't reach the faucet. Other than that they are on their own with it.
This morning, Caleb left his plate and cup in the sink. I told him he needed to take care of it. He tried to tell me he just didn't have time to clean the dishes (like I asked him to do everyones dinner dishes or something).
I just smiled at him and told him my mornings just got crazy busy and I didn't think I had time to fix him breakfast anymore.
He did not say a word. He went to the kitchen and put the ONE plate and ONE cup in the dishwasher. He STILL had time to stand and wait on his bus to get here.
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My Life in a Nutshell
- A Princess, five guys - then me!!
- In a little more than a nutshell: I am married with 5 boys and we just got our (surprise) little girl. I should probably clarify by letting you know that only 4 of the boys are young children, the other one just acts like a young child. I am very girly, which makes for an interesting life - living in a house dominated by males (in all their glory). I blog so that maybe someday the kids can look back at this and see what they put me through - and what they can expect from their kids, someday!! Also, so that our family in far away lands can keep up with what is going on in our crazy lives.
Why Mud Puddles and Dandelions?
When my husband first saw this title, he asked if it was because I was supposed to be THE dandelion surrounded by mud (all the boys). I guess it could mean that, but I read this one day and it really touched my heart and made me think:
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children! Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Author Unknown
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children! Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Author Unknown
Some of My Favorite Places to Visit
Blog Archive
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2009
(554)
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March
(75)
- Bad Hubby
- Waiting on the Hiccups
- Silence
- Bryce's Field Trip
- No Physical Contact
- Easter Plans
- Big Family
- The New Bryce
- This is what I walked in on this morning. So swee...
- OCD?
- Isaac's Honor Roll Program
- Coming Soon to Your Neighborhood...
- I tried to sit outside and enjoy the coolness and ...
- Pregnancy Test or Toothbrush
- Bigger by the Day
- No Sleep
- The Coat Drama Continues
- Bad Spring Storm
- The Decline of our Dog
- THe Dreaded Side-Shot
- Hard Word
- EXPENSIVE Field Trips
- Setting Her Free
- Cleaning
- Sight Words
- Report Cards
- "Classic"
- Andrew's Tractor
- Small World
- Andrew's Sunburn
- Busy Weekend
- Special Breakfast
- Taking It Easy
- Andrew's 2nd Birthday Present
- 35 Week Check-up
- BBQ
- Note From the Teacher
- Milk Back in His Diet!
- Busy Times
- Bad Conduct
- He is going to make a girl very happy one day. No...
- HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
- Beautiful Spring Day...the Queen Gets Her Car Washed
- That is a rolling backpack (and hand) - stuck on h...
- Getting Worse
- Non-Sick Streak....OVER!
- School Thefts
- The Monkey
- Snuggle Bug
- The Case of the Missing Trash Can
- Recession
- Story Time
- House Offer
- Multi-Tasking To a Whole New Level
- Loving the Time Change
- Too Cute
- Guard Dog
- Offer on House
- Conversations with Boys
- 33 Week Checkup
- Horrible Weekend
- Pull Out the Garbage Bags (Contractor Size)
- Crying Over Dead Bugs
- Great Weather and Energy!
- Storytime
- Bryce is Reading
- Bryce Bugs
- Dead Day
- Blonde Moment
- Library Visit
- "I am Jealous."
- We had to go run a few errands this morning. Andr...
- Caleb Translations
- FINALLY!!
- Lactose Intolerant, No More?
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March
(75)
Love, like a river, will cut a new path whenever it meets an obstacle.
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"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away." - Author Unknown
I WISH YOU BIG MUD PUDDLES AND SUNNY YELLOW DANDELIONS!!
I WISH YOU BIG MUD PUDDLES AND SUNNY YELLOW DANDELIONS!!
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