Scrubbing Bubbles

We've been using quite a bit of chalk lately. It's such a fun way for the kids to practice writing and since it washes off, I basically let them chalk on everything. As you can see in this picture, there's chalk on our grill, our fence, our porch, our garbage can, and even the kids' bikes. My husband mentioned that it was starting to look like a graffiti artist lived at our house. I laughed, but then looked out and realized he was right. That afternoon, we headed out with two pans full of soapy water and two sponges with the task of cleaning up our back porch just a little.

 My boy mostly splashed around in the bubbles. My girl, however, found this task very rewarding! She meticulously scrubbed the fence. With each fence post she would get really excited and shout, "Look how clean it is!" I think she found a lot of pleasure in this task (which is great! I've always wanted my kids to love cleaning!).

Shortly after she made it all the way around the fence, my son found a piece of chalk and started the artwork all over again. He would dip the chalk in the water and then draw, making the lines extra dark. That didn't deter my daughter for a second. She just followed right behind him, cleaning the trail he left behind.

Oh, and just for the record, the next day it rained and all the chalk that was left got washed away.

Child Labor

For the most part my kids are pretty good workers. They help me unload the dishwasher, they put away toys after they play with them, my little girl wipes up spills quickly after they happen, and every night before bed they both pick up 10 things up off the floor. But their hands-down-favorite job of all is cleaning the car. Every Monday I get out the dust buster and two grocery bags (one for garbage, one for things that need to go inside like sippy cups or shoes that got left behind). They help me pick up, they help me dustbust, and then comes the favorite job.....wiping down the car. I bought interior car wipes for like $2 and they go to town with those things. I am so grateful for my cute little cleaners.

Everybody Do Your Share

I told my little girl and her friend that I needed to sweep the leaves off the back porch. They both lit up. Snap! The job's a game. I got two brooms out and they went to town. I was surprised how effective they ended up being. About ten minutes later, all the leaves were gone. Shortly after the leaf removal, they started playing 'teeter-totter' with the brooms.