Gobsmacked

Every now and then, those kids of mine truly surprise me.  Like when I leave to run errands with the baby, and tell Grace on down that I want their Saturday chores done plus the main floor cleaned up by the time I get back -- fully expecting them to play around and be on screens the whole time -- and then walk through the door, and I'm literally stunned speechless because the house looks amazing.  I think my facial expression and reaction pretty much made their entire week.  Hahahaha.  That Grace is an impressive little Pied Piper of Hamlin.  She somehow managed to not only get everyone on board with cleaning, but actually be excited about it, too.  She created a checklist of responsibilities and everything!  Now that I know what they're capable of, I better start expecting more from them.  Hahahaha.  :)

 TO DO:

Jane * Clear off counters and wipe down

Sophie & Grace * Clear off table and wipe down

Sophie & Grace * Dishes unload and load

Jane * Sweep

Alex * Straighten stools/chairs

All * Take out garbage/recycling as needed

Grace * Coat graveyard

Alex * Family room tidy up

All * Desk in kitchen

All * Floor

All * Laundry room

All * Hall

 This was my view as I walked in from the garage holding a sleeping Isaac, and I literally stopped in my tracks because I was so surprised.  Before I left, there were clothes piled high in the laundry room, baskets and junk spilling out into the hall, and miscellaneous messes everywhere.

Meanwhile, the table was still covered in piles of school junk, and the coat graveyard against the wall had backpacks and coats littered everywhere.  The most interesting comment from the kids when I walked into the kitchen, was them telling me they had cleaned the floors like Pippi Longstocking.  Hahahahaha.  I'm not exactly sure if that entailed mopping with brushes attached to their feet like skates, but the kitchen is SO much better than it was before, that I'll take it!  Also entertaining was Grace saying that she meant to take before and after pictures for the blog, but she forgot to.  Hahahaha.

Gobsmacked I tell ya!  These kids like to keep me guessing.  But at least now we have a nice, clean house to celebrate Ethan's birthday tomorrow and the kids fully earned their reward of pool time before dinner and a double feature for movie night ("The Peanuts Movie" and the new Disney original, "Adventures in Babysitting")!   :)