The Mother of Invention

Have you ever heard the phrase "Necessity is the mother of invention." With motherhood, that is so true; often as a mother you have to be creative, quick on your toes, and flexible. Well, yesterday that phrase rang true in our house, which it often does. I needed Braden and Brooke to do some jobs, but after hearing the beginning of a whine, I knew I didn't have the strength to deal with that and neither did my ears. I absolutely loathe, detest, and abhor whining! So, I began to brainstorm, 'How can I get the kids to clean up without listening to all that whining?' From this brainstorming, the clean up game was born. I sat down and made a list of all the things I needed the cuties to do: make beds, pick up their trash, straighten the playroom, clean toilets, clean sinks, clean their rooms, pick up toys, etc.; next I made a list of fun things (this part I wouldn't let them see, so it was a surprise): play Hullabaloo, do the hokey pokey, dance to Pop goes the Weasel, read books, watch Clifford, etc. . After making the list, I cut the list into strips, folded them up, and Braden and Brooke put them in plastic eggs, which we then put in a big basket. To play the game Braden and Brooke took turns choosing eggs, one of them selected the egg and the other opened it; once the task was revealed, they followed through whether it was work or fun. It was great, I didn't have to beg and plead, and they had fun too! You know what they say about no work and no play?! Yesterday was a perfect balance of work and play, and it got the job done!

Even Emma got in on the act.

(gotta love the leotard, always doing her own thing)