Messy habits

My children have developed 2 very messy habits these last few weeks.  The first is taking EVERY book off of their bookcases.  The second is taking EVERY toy out of their toybox.  Since we tend to accumulate both books and toys, this is a big problem.  I can't seem to make them stop doing this.  I try to get them to help pick things up afterwards.  They help to some degree.  But if you're a parent, you know how it is.  I plead and threaten until the kids until they start helping.  But, in the end, the bulk of the work falls upon me.  If I were to insist on them picking up all of the toys and books, it would take all day and would cause me even more frustration.  They do help somewhat, though.

Before having kids, I would have thought that a parent just "needs to teach their kids not to make such messes."  Also, I would have thought that the parent INSIST on the kids picking up every single toy.  Now that I'm a mother, I see things in a different light.  It's not easy to teach kids things.  They will do the same weird, silly, or disobedient thing 10 times before they finally obey once.  Also, sometimes parents just have to get things done, even if it involves jumping in there and doing it themselves.

On a different note, twice today, Kevin said the long "A" sound when practicing his vowels!  He'll be talking one day.  I just know it!

Sarah's room

Kevin's room