Small Miracles

For some strange reason, I am not able to write anything at the beginning of my post when I add pictures, which irks me. I'd like to be able to tell a story, add a picture, and continue.

Anyway, Hannah asked me the other day if they could make a fort in Seth's room. I told her they could as long as they cleaned up everything, and that they put all the stuff they borrowed back where it belonged. She reassured me that they would. Quite often these reassurances don't amount to a hill of beans, so I was curious to see if I would have a hill or not.

They proceeded to take every pillow from every room. As you can see in the pictures, they produced a mighty fine mess.

I love this picture below of Seth. My sweet, angelic little boy, giving me his look of pure innocence. You know, the look that says, "Now mom, relax."

So, the time came to clean up. Usually I have to light a fire under them to complete a task of this magnitude. I told them I would set the timer for 30 minutes. Miracle #1: There was no complaining when I said this.

Miracle #2: Seth helped Hannah. I usually have to make Hannah stop because she's done the work while Seth fooled around, and then make Seth finish. This time they worked together.

Miracle #3: They finished the room in exactly 15 1/2 minutes! And they put everything back where it belonged.

See for yourself the finished product.

The only thing I did was fold the blankets at the foot of the bed. I was one pleased mama. I told them at least a half dozen times how proud I was of them. And I told Hannah she could make a fort any old time she pleased if this was how good they cleaned up.

When daddy came home that night, I bragged on them, much to the delight of my beaming daughter.

After all, a little bragging - in front of the kids - is necessary every once in a while. It's one of the best ways of making them feel like a million bucks.