Monday, July 24, 2006

So, Whadcha Do Today?

I know you wanna know. Go ahead and ask.

Supermom, what did you do today?

Well, friends, I had one of those amazing I-am-a-domestic-goddess kind of Mondays. You know what I mean. That rare, almost mythical, Monday when you actually accomplish something...and it shows. I swear, my coffee was super-charged this morning.

I warned the kids ahead of time I had two loads of whites coming out of the dryer. Whites are theirs to fold. Towels, T-shirts, undies, washcloths, etc. Now, I'm not a stickler. They are seven and four years old. Right now I focus on establishing the habit. We can work on technique later. But I think maybe we need a review. I ask you, does this even closely resemble a folded T-shirt?

But I gotta give my kiddos a hand. They stuck it out and worked diligently with minimal whining and only a few reminders.

I'll tell you a secret. Flylady always says you should work for fifteen minutes at a time, then take a break. So I applied this with my kids. After fifteen minutes of folding, we would break for Freeze Dancing. Even Baby got into it, stopping every time I stopped the music.

People, it works. My kids almost forgot we were working. They even put on their Incredibles masks and pretended they were Dash and Violet, folding clothes and saving the world.

That Flylady is a genius. An annoying genius, but a genius.

Now I unloaded the dishwasher this morning, loaded it again and washed a full load. But I still had a TON of dishes. How did that happen? Then I had another mastermind plan. "Hey, kids," I yelled excitedly. "Come here! I have a surprise for you!" I ran soapy water in one sink, clean water in the other, pulled up chairs and said with a big, cheesey smile, "You get to wash dishes!"

And they actually fell for it!

You'd think I'd just told them we were taking the next plane to DisneyWorld.

Again, I'm not looking for perfection. I actually figured I'd have to re-wash some myself. I had a cookie sheet with baked on cookie goo in there. But those little Incredibles lived up to their name and got those dishes sparkling clean!

Are you believing this?!

After getting the kitchen clean we broke out the paints and the classical music and worked the right side of their brains. I even gave Baby a paintbrush!

I'm making myself sound like the epitome of everything motherly and wise. So to make you feel better, I'll tell you that I did not shower or brush my teeth today. I'm not even making that up, folks. It's the whole, disgusting truth. Scout's honor.

And in addition to the beautiful picture she painted on the paper, Baby did this wonderful abstract piece on her legs. It has a postmodern feel, don't you think?

After lunch and some time to rest, I released the kids from their shackles and let them loose to play what they wanted. Then I cleaned the top of the refrigerator (ew), did more laundry, swept and mopped the kitchen and the living room, changed the sheets on my bed and made it, vacuumed, put laundry away and THEN, decided to do a little project in Brother's room.

Brother has bunk beds, but we only have one mattress. He wanted to be on top, so the bottom has been open. We've had a computer in there with all the kid's games on it. But the computer died. So I decided to take it, along with the desk it was on, out and make that space into something he could use.

The desk, however, had to be taken apart before I could get it out. Sounds simple enough. I know how to use a screwdriver.

And this is what is under his top bunk now. His own little "library". I even customized the books in the table to his taste.

Hey, they don't call me Supermom for nothin'.

Now, I'm off to take a shower. I smell.








20 comments:

Kyle said...

Pretty Impresive - That's why they call you SuperMom!

Bttrfly1976 said...

lol, good job. Way to live up to your name. I like the library best! I hope your Tuesday is just as rewarding.

PastormacsAnn said...

Man, you are super!

Mama of 2 said...

Very impressive!!
Do you mind if perhaps I steal a few of your idea? They sound wonderful and just might work at my house too.

Glad you had such and accomplished Monday.

Wendy said...

That IS impressive! I love the folding it resembles ours here.

Jessica said...

I am impressed! Good job! Do they sale what motivated you so? I have lived in my house for over a year and have yet to decorate... I could use your motivation!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I'd only clean like that if the Queen of England was coming over for tea!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thanks for the great ideas! You are truly super!

Anonymous said...

I feel SO inadequate. :)

Unknown said...

You are Super Mom! I love the library idea under the bunk beds.

Michelle- This One's for the Girls said...

I hate the be bearer of bad news, but fooling the kids into thinking that washing dishes is fun, lasts about 2 sessions. You've got one more hole on that ticket--then it's punched.

Diana said...

my older sister used to trick me into washing the dishes...it lasted about a week. LOL.
Good job, Supermom, you got a lot accomplished!

Chilihead2 said...

Impressive. I usually have one of those energy flows, try to ride the wave, then crash and burn.

but Momma said...

I think all I need are some Incredibles Masks, right?

Love your decorating, very cozy! His own little man cave.

Mama Duck said...

My gosh, that's a lot to do in a day!!

Karmyn R said...

Geez - just reading about that made me exhausted. Bottle up that energy and sell it - you'll make a fortune!!

soulreavers said...

Only one thing to say about a day that productive..."Damn." Well done.

yerdoingitwrong said...

Ha! I love it. Send me some of your energy please!!

Gwendolyn said...

I love those days!! You've inspired me. I'm going to clean something. he he

Heth said...

You are killing me. Way to make me look like a slacker.