Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody Do Your Share!

Back in the day, I didn't mind cleaning my house/apartment/condo.  I would clean and it would sparkle.  I didn't mind cleaning because I knew I could sit back and admire my work....for quite a while.  These days, I clean...and it sparkles....for about 10.4 minutes.  Now I have 3 little elves who come in behind me and rip apart whatever I have organized, scrubbed or put away. 

Keep an eye on the middle one.  He's one to watch. 

This place is a mess!  What do I do?  Give up?  Throw in the towel?  Cave to peer pressure and leave my plates on the table, underwear in the hall and toys in the freezer?  Yes, I did find a toy there once.  Check out what this place looks like these days!

Ok, that's not really my house.  But, really??  What to do, what to do?  I've tried trickery.  The other day we played "The President is Coming!"  This game works......once.  After that, you're on your own.  I ran around the house like a fool yelling "The President is coming!!"  I had to explain to my oldest that, yes, this is a game.  Pretend the President is coming and we have to clean up as fast as possible.  Middle child, however, thought he was really coming and kept asking "Who???!!!"  "When's he gonna be here??!!"  "Heh?????!!!"  To that, my oldest my oldest said "It's just a game!! Just do it!!  Just clean!"  Party poopers.  It did work though. 

Today I got smart.  I am hoping I'm on to something.  What do my boys like?  Video games.  What's down the street and sells cheap used games?  Game Stop.  What can you do to earn money for said cheap games?  Chores.  A possible match made in heaven. 

On this day, Saturday July 30, 2011, Oldest Child learned to use the vacuum.  Specifically, the Dyson.  My beloved machine.  I think he loved it as much as me.  I am not kidding.  I love to vacuum because I especially love looking at all of the nasty dirt the canister has in it when I am finished.  Very satisfying.  A job well done!  Check out how much he liked it.  He actually said it was fun.....

Such precision and attention to detail.

Of course, I remember the day I started doing laundry.  When I was a kid, my mom showed me how to operate the washer and dryer.  What fun!!  I couldn't believe how easy it was!  Just throw in some dirty towels and wait...then throw them in the dryer.  Then I figured out you had to fold them and put them away.  The fun ended there.  There are five people in our family....it's not fun. 

Ok, again, that's not my laundry.  But, close. 

Anyway, so far, this is a great motivator.  And, my floors were spotless!  Look at those smiling faces!  One looks a little more crazed than the other....

Please note someone's black eyes.....a run in with the tile floor = bloody nose.

Tomorrow I will be working on a chore chart for 2 little boys.  Wish me luck.