Mommy's Little Helper (mostly)

Today was one of those days with too much to do and too little time to do it. We had a brief reprieve from birthday parties and other social obligations. A little bird (Jack Kuhtz) had made a comment earlier in the week about the state of my vehicle (the carpet was orange from cracker crumbs). Patrick was completely out of short pants(tm Kevin). And all (four) bathrooms needed to be cleaned.

The good news is Patrick made my dreams come true this week. I have been waiting for this whole "I can prepare my own food" milestone for quite some time. On Friday, amid the running late chaos of the morning, Patrick declared that he was going to have a peanut butter and honey sandwich for breakfast and he would be making it himself. By the time I got downstairs he was mid-sandwiching making, the only thing I did was help spread the peanut butter and cut the sandwich. Gold star for Patrick!

So we went into this crazy Saturday with the right attitude of partnership and perfection (AHEM). Patrick was quite helpful (stripping the sheets off his bed, vacuuming the car, cleaning the playroom, sorting laundry, cleaning windows). So here is where it all goes a little sideways. We were at the end of the day. We had cleaned the entire downstairs, taken pictures at Magic Moments and gone grocery shopping (5 minutes into the trip Patrick announces that KEITH HAD A B.M.!). We were all tired. There were only three jobs left: 1) Put away the groceries; 2) Feed and water the dogs; and 3) Showers for the boys. Patrick's job was to take care of the dogs while I unloaded the groceries. So what does he do? Climbs on the dog house and bosses his brother around for 10 minutes.

Here's the thing. I have really high expectations for the kid and he loves being my little shadow. Sometimes he references his childhood as if he is all grown-up, "when I was a little boy I....."
So we did what we do.....THE HOKEY POKEY!!!

Where a kid can be a kid.