My Busy Beaver!

Well Luke sure did his fair share of housework today! Some very generous friends passed us the Leapster they were finished with b/c Luke demolished his. We are making him work to earn it back. One job per dollar. The jobs are different lengths, some as short as carrying a load of laundry and others longer, like sorting the laundry, then starting it, and rotating whatever is in the washer/dryer. He did sooooo many jobs today I lost track. Every time he did a job he got a sticker.. I think we were up to 25 jobs? He loaded the dish washer, emptied it, washed pans that were to big to fit, wiped down the table, carried the dishes away, sorted the laundry, sprayed down stains, gathered the trash, carried it to the garage, carried a few items down to the basement for me, goodness.. the list goes on.. anyways. I was SOOOO proud of him b/c he had a really good attitude and just never gave up. I would sit down to rest, and he wanted another job, to get another sticker. He literally worked all day. He only stopped to play a few times! I've decided that I really like his help and he's obviously more than able to help... so I should have him help more often vs. doing it myself. I think we'll start up a list of chores to receive an allowance.

The kids don't really nap anymore, but they do go in their rooms from 2-4pm for rest time.. they play quietly and come out at 4pm. Often we are busy and they don't make it in their rooms until 2:30 or 3pm... and sometimes I let them out early.. today they ran out of their rooms w/ "puppy dog eyes".. and their money jars under arm, b/c they heard the ice cream truck coming.. how could I resist... especially after Luke worked so hard all day. I told the ice-cream man that he needs to start coming BEFORE nap! b/c he' s messing up my routine!! :)

Abby usually falls asleep on her floor about once a week, even though she's given the option to play.. I think she just can't make it. Today she fell asleep beside her bowl of popcorn. The downside of her falling asleep is she's too wound up to go to sleep at 8pm.. :( so I feel like I don't get a good break!

Tonight the kids were up late, for that reason... Abby was whining in bed over and over b/c she wanted someone to snuggle her, Rich was gone and I'm too achy to climb in bed w/ her.. Luke is upset b/c Daddy had to leave before finishing his 3 books, and he had to join me and Abby and read "baby books". The parrot is downstairs screaming and screaming.. I'm too tired to go cover him up.. and the baby is moving like CRAZY in my stomach making me feel ill.... I am actually sitting here rocking her in my tummy hoping she'll go back to sleep and give me a break! She's definitely the strongest of the 3 kids... I can't believe I'm rocking her on purpose.. but hey whatever works!

I think I'm off to bed soon... I'm pretty tired!

all for now! -me