On mopping and stupid dogs.

2 years ago (I know - was it really that long ago?) I wrote a post called "On laundry and temper tantrums." Well, this is chapter 2.

Early Morning:
1. Wake up at 6am to hear 4 1/2 year old screaming "Bob the Builder! Can we fix it?" at the top of his lungs, and 1 1/2 year old just screaming at the top of his lungs.
2. Roll over.
3. Shush 1 1/2 year old.
4. Close eyes. Try to remember what sleep felt like.
5. Get up. Wrap 1 1/2 year old in blanket. Lift from crib.
6. Revel in blessed peace that comes with silence as both children stop screaming.
7. Help 4 1/2 year old down from top bunk.
8. Make coffee. Sweet, sweet coffee.
9. Snuggle with 1 1/2 year old while 4 1/2 year old plays a computer game.
10. Thank God for sweet moments such as these.

Sunny Afternoon:
1. Take children, dog, and coffee on the deck.
2. Try, in vain, to tame dog which has suddenly gone crazy.
3. Tell 4 1/2 year old to get out of Rubbermaid tote.
4. Chat and enjoy coffee.
5. Tell 4 1/2 year old to get out of Rubbermaid tote.
6. Try to stop dog from harassing 1 1/2 year old.
7. Tell 4 1/2 year old to get out of Rubbermaid tote.
8. Physically remove child from Rubbermaid tote.
9. Go in to kitchen.
10. Return with pitcher of water.
11. Pour into Rubbermaid tote. Repeat until half full. Add small toys and empty margarine containers.
12. Set children loose. Eventually retrieve towel to wipe water from eyes.
13. Sit back and relax. Intermittently help 1 1/2 year old dump water on 4 1/2 year old's head. =)

Multiple Children and Dog:
1. Stand with 1 1/2 year old and 2 1/2 year old at screen door, looking outside at 4 1/2 year old and Mom with weed whacker.
2. Take 2 1/2 year old to the bathroom.
3. Realize there is no toilet paper.
4. Run upstairs to get to get toilet paper.
5. Come downstairs, help 2 1/2 year old get off toilet, etc.
6. Hear suspicious sounds coming from other room.
7. Yell and run to grab 1 1/2 year old, bring back inside away from weed whacker.
8. Grab dog by collar, drag inside.
9. Try to slow speeding heart.

Tidying:
- If kid won't help, don't force it every time - sometimes it's just easier to let them stay out of the way.
- Just get toys in something - they will never really be organized.
- Do it often. Lots of little bits of tidying seem much more manageable than one giant tidying spree!

Mopping:
- Sweep first.
- Start at the opposite end of the room from where you want to end up (and you want to end up at the door so you can leave the room without walking on the wet floor).
- Remember to move the bucket of water with you often.

Random Points:
- Chicken nuggets, waffles, and PB&J could very well be a child's "most favorite supper ever!"
- Small children are speedy; attempting to chase them makes them speedier. If you want to play, this is great - if you actually need to talk to them about something, don't chase. Eventually they'll tire of running.
- Get your kids to like vegetables - when they ask for green peppers as a snack, you're probably doing something right.
- Make sure kids say "Excuse me" when they would like to interrupt.
- Also make sure kids wait their turn to talk unless absolutely necessary to interrupt.


There's probably much more I could add to this list but I won't for right now. (: