Saturdays at our house used to be lazy days. A day for hanging out. A day for putting our feet up and watching the clouds go by.
Or watching clouds go by on TV. We were easy like that.
But those days are looong gone.
Our Saturdays now, or at least a few hours of each Saturday, are devoted to cleaning up this wretched place.
Even the littlest pitch in.
For us, this is a relatively new phenomena.
No, not the cleaning part. The having all the kids pitch in part.
And I gotta say. It is really workin’ for me.
We’ve managed to find chores that suit every individual.
And some times they tag team.
Occasionally they pout.
Sometimes they are even busted, chores incomplete, sitting in front of Sports Center.
And some, even having dusted every doorknob in the house, are busted trying to clean the potty.
Some aren’t quite sure they actually want to help just yet.
So they spend their time trying to look cute enough to escape.
You’ll be relieved to know we do allow breaks for good behavior.
It keeps morale up.
At least, it keeps kiddie morale up.
For this one… not so much.
Now this is what keeps my morale up.
Just kidding.
Although there is nothing sexier than a man carrying a vacuum canister, on his way to scrub down a dirty bathroom.
This little man is attempting to work the wink instead of pulling his weight around here.
Sorry buddy. Not going for it.
And this one…
Honestly, I have no idea what he’s doing. Much less what he’s thinking.
Alas, one more fallen victim to the allure of Sports Center.
And the consequences of their weak constitutions.
More chores.
This one, claiming he can’t help because someone bit his finger.
Likely story, punk.
And this one… what can I say. One of the hardest workers in this place.
Worked out some serious Mongolian Beef.
Once the work is done, time to play.
On the new area rug for Vivi’s room.
Figure we should break it in with a serious people-pile session.
And work out some of those cleaning kinks.
Saturdays sure stink around here.
To use Mr. Linky, be sure to link your Sunday Snapshot post, not your main blog url.
To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Sunday Snapshot post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to your Sunday Snapshot post. Copy that url and paste it into the Mr. Linky window, along with your name, or your blog’s name, whichever you prefer.
Aahhhhh – you are ON it!! Clean house AND Sunday Snapshot done by Saturday night!?!
I am so.jealous.
And all of this NOT on sweets & snacks.
You are seriously…My Hero!
What a fun Saturday.
Must be what happens with a house full of little ones.
Don't see my 2 teenagers until after noon. 🙂
Happy Sat night!
Sweets I've been good about… the snacks? Not so much.
Oh well.
Yeah, I wanted to get my Snapshot up tonight because we LOSE an hour tomorrow, remember to set your clocks AHEAD!
And I hope to see you two posting your Sunday Snapshots tomorrow 🙂
Okay you have inspired me to finally get the family involved instead of beating myself up and being grumpy for attempting and falling short of EVER having the cleaning "done." (I know that is a relative term as it is a fleeting thing.) There is ownership when there is involvement though. And your kiddos look so INTO it! Can they look any cuter wiping down chairs … or even toilets?! And the little pouter and guy who was sure he was mortally wounded by a finger bite is just TOO CUTE! I can see why he escaped … this week at least.
I love your blog! I'm trying to incorporate more chores, too. I have half the children you do, & don't seem to have it together as much as you do. Kudos to you! And your cute workers. 🙂
That sounds like a great idea for our Saturdays once things calm down when we get home from China. My mom is staying with my girls, so deep down I am dreaming of a spotless home upon my return, but I'm not expecting it.
Stef, did you get a chance to see the necklaces I'm raffling off? The faith one reminds me of your style of jewelry.
They are on my blog.
http://thejoysofmommy.blogpspot.com
Thank you again for talking to me two years ago and giving me the information and encouragement we needed to adopt a special needs child. We are so excited to leave in 10 days to bring home Lydda.
I like it!!!! The kids have chores around here too but our Saturdays are spent out at the soccer or football fields!! Chores are done whenever we can fit them in, between school and homework and games and practices and fun!! Can you believe I got this one up before midnight on SUNDAY????
Love it!
Oh I need your crew to come to our house on Saturday ~ seriously! We tend to bust our hump on Friday so our Saturdays are free and than we do a quick touch up on Sunday morning…so I don't have to do too much until Tuesday/Wednesday (having an old yellow lab with all that loose hair makes it very easy to vacume almost every.single.day.ugh)
Anyway…even though you guys are cleaning…you all sure look like you are having a ton of fun 🙂
Hope you are having a great Sunday!
That is my dream for Saturday morning, after a lazy breakfast and maybe a game. By noon – a good deal should be taken care of. Operative word here……SHOULD!
Like I said ….it's my dream. One day!
Love your family spirit! So inspiring. I'm barely sane with 2….9 would do me in. Cudos to you Stephanie.
Have a restful Sunday!
🙂
We try to do this too lately. Some days it all goes smoothly…other days not. Have you had anyone try to pay a sibling to do their chores yet? lol Talk about being busted!
Sharon
The picture (and comment) about hubby had me laughing aloud. If I ever laugh aloud I HAVE to leave a comment! 🙂 I found your blog months ago via a friend and have been reading it ever since. Thanks for keeping it real! 🙂
If this isn't the BEST idea you've had in YEARS with that brood of yours…a whole CLEANING CREW!
First your house, then the neighborhood!
OH, the places you will go!
The picture of Vivi cleaning the toilet, the boys watching sports center and the bitten little finger are the CUTEST ever!
Hehehe…you guys make saturday cleaning look like fun! My little one's love it but my older, wiser one's know better 🙂 Hey, it is what you make of it, right?!
It takes so much longer but it's so important to teach and train our kiddos…in a big family, it's a matter of survival for mom 🙂
SO CUTE!!! Probably my favorite Sunday Snapshot yet!!
Wow – can't turn my back on your blog for a minute! Really great stuff here – but we can't decide which is more lovely – the models or the Chinese Silks! As for the rest – all good stuff….but….getting all that done on by a Saturday night….we still have a pile of stuff that needs doing by 9 PM on Sunday!
Very impressive!
hugs – aus and co.
Saturdays….how I love Saturdays!!!
Cleaning and goofing around…a great combination!!!
This post rocks my world! So incredibly inspired! 🙂 DO you really think I can convince the puppy to help??? You minister to my heart sister!
Love,
Heather
THAT was so much fun!
I absolutely LOVE it when Hubbie takes on the house! He does it well and recruits the kiddos better than I EVER do! I always tell him it should be HIS job all by himself! He does not buy that one…I will keep trying!
Love all the photos!
I need to get some chores established for all of my children. Right now my husband and I are doing all of the chores.