Dear Family, I am NOT Your Maid

Notice the empty juice container on the counter,
just one small example of why I am writing this post today.

Ah, summer vacation.  That time of year when the sun is shining, the grass is growing, the air is scented with the heavenly aroma of flowers and barbecue grills, and the time when everyone in your house forgets how to clean up after themselves.  It's not only the kids, but my dear husband too.  I fight the same battle at the beginning of every summer.  "Oh, mom's home...we don't have to do anything.  We only have to help during the school year when she's working." Fellow teachers...I am SURE you know what I am talking about. Now, I am not talking about cleaning toilets, or doing laundry, I am talking about the general picking up after yourself business.  It's the, "Kids...when has it ever been ok to throw your dirty socks on the living room floor?" or the, "Seriously Honey, if you go through the trouble of straightening your pillows why couldn't you just make the bed?" that I am talking about.  They actually need less reminders to do the once and awhile chores like pulling weeds than things like putting dirty clothes in the hamper and not on the floor next to it. Well guess what?  Dear Family, I am not your maid.

      As I was trying to get all 4 kids out the door this morning because of course they all had something at 9:00 I must admit I was a little crabby about reminding kids to basically get their crap...not the word I was thinking...together because really how hard is it?  When I finally get everyone out the door, Emma and I are backing out of the driveway and she looks at me with concern on her face and says,"Mom, when you get home you should really watch Bob Ross because you're a little wound up and need to calm down."  At which point I decided to put my "Mom of the Year" hat on and tell her that if she hadn't have been so anxious about stupid things this morning and if everyone could just get their sh*t together I wouldn't have been wound up.  Yes, I know, probably not a great parenting move, but it worked...at least she wasn't tell me to watch the "Happy Little Painter" again.  Instead of running home to clean up after everyone I went to the green house and bought a couple of plants instead.  I know that didn't help get things cleaned up, but it made me feel better and I did get a little help when everyone got home.  

     My plans for the rest of the day...clean up a little around here, make the kids clean their rooms, and do a little yard work.  I am not a huge fan of yard work, but I feel like being outside today so that is what I plan to do.  Not to mention that I want to try out the yard mosquito repellant recipe I found on Pinterest this morning...damn mosquitoes...I'll save that rant until tomorrow.  Here I go...I'll let you know if my yard spray works tomorrow.