We had a busy day on Sunday. (More on that later.) But, at the end of it, I was bone tired and sore. All I wanted to do was take a hot shower and drag myself into bed.
But when you're a mom, that's not really an option. For some reason, children like to be fed.
I walked into the house and stripped off my filthy clothes to prevent sand and dust from getting all over our freshly cleaned carpet. I looked around the living room with dull eyes.
Four boxes of Legos had been upended and scattered across the floor.
All the picture frames that typically adorn the bookcase were tossed on the couches and floor.
The throw pillows were under the table in a fort-like configuration.
There were five empty glasses, six baby dolls, two strollers and an entire size 18-24 month outfit taking up residence on various surfaces.
In the middle of the mess sat Joseph, in his T-shirt and underwear, and Elizabeth, stark naked.
I stood with my clothes in arms that ached from carrying paving stones and wheeling loads of sand. I looked around the room and thought, briefly, of calling FEMA. Then I sighed.
"Wow. Well, I guess this is why you guys have been so quiet. Are you hungry?"
"We are!"
"Okay. Let me go change and then I'll make dinner. Would you please clean this up?" I asked, knowing that an evening of picking up was in front of me. Still, it never hurts to ask.
I went into my bedroom and changed, searching my mind for dinner ideas and cursing the fact that we'd had pizza for lunch. Ordering out sounded nice.
When I walked into the kitchen, I noticed Elizabeth and Joseph in the living room picking up Legos. Every little bit helps.
I got out a pot and started making mac and cheese, decided to add hot dogs and really make it gourmet. "I wish you guys would eat the broccoli if I added it."
"Put it in, Mama! Elizabeth and I will eat it."
"Reeeally..." I decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and added chopped broccoli. A few minutes later, I heard Joseph call for me to check out the living room.
I turned to see the Legos picked up, the babies put away, the clothes gone, the pictures on their shelves, the pillows on the couch, the water glassing sitting in a pile on counter, and my beautiful loves standing proudly.
"You cleaned up! Joseph you are amazing! You're like a superhero son."
"Elizabeth helped too."
"Clee up!" Elizabeth added, clapping her hands.
"I'm going to go clean my room now. That's what superhero sons do. Thank you for telling me I'm amazing." And off he ran to his room, Elizabeth chasing after him.
I don't know if I'm living in a Twilight Zone episode or if this anomaly will last, but whatever caused it, I'm so grateful.
And yes, they ate the broccoli.
So I found the energy to make a pie for them to eat after showers.
9 comments:
Something in the air, I think. My little man had a rather amazing moment last week, too.
Hooray for superhero kids! Love it when they surprise you!
How wonderful, even if it only happens once. It still happened!
There is nothing better than when they actually help out.Well maybe wanting to help out. And doing it without whining. Go You. And pie.Pie makes everything OK.
that is the sweetest, most amazing thing I've ever heard. Yea for Joseph (and Elizabeth) and Yea for kiddos that know when their mom needs a little attention and care. WOW.
A day like that can make up for many days of not cleaning up! Sweet kiddos.
That is awesome! That's like a mama achievement award. Those moments when you realize that all your hard work trying to raise lovely human beings is paying off. Congrats!
That is awesome. I think my favorite part though is that Elizabeth was naked. LOL.
Whoa. This is definitely the Twilight Zone. I would be on the look out for weirder things to happen as the universe turns inside out on itself and the space/time continuum is disrupted.
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