All you Primary music aficionados probably know the tune to those words!
Well, they are true ... to a point, at least around here. My kids LOVE to help. They really do. They love to be helpful. They love to be complimented. They love to check off chores on a job list.
However, they have limited staying power.They love to help for about 1 minute. They love to carry 3 shirts to a dresser drawer, then collapse on the bed, trying to catch their breath.
To be honest, Annie has more endurance. She did happily wash several large pots and pans a few days ago, and she wants to be able to mop the kitchen floor. She does take out the trash and help load the washing machine. Actually, Annie is a good little worker.
So the truth is, Graham is more about the pose of helping than the actual accomplishing of tasks. It's something we are constantly working on.
{I do feel a twinge of guilt about ratting out my kiddos, especially my son. If he knew I said that he tired out too quickly to really accomplish many chores, he would say, "Mom, that really hurts my feelings. I
do help!"}
The whole point of all of this exposition is to provide context for the most wonderful display of work ethic yet displayed in our home. Obviously, we've only lived here for six months, so things should continue to improve.
After FHE (I was so tired that our "activity" was laying on the bed reading a library book together), my kids were begging for the promised treat: mint chocolate smoothies.
"Mom, Mom, please make the smoothies! We want the smoothies. We are so hungry for smoothies! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!"
I told them that I was just too tired, and also, the blender was still in the sink from the breakfast berry-tofu-ice cream smoothie.
We'll help you!" they responded.
"Really?" I asked. "Because I need the sink emptied so I can wash the blender."
"We can do that!"
"Well, the dishwasher has to be unloaded first," I pointed out.
"We can do that!" they said again.
And they did. We marched into the kitchen, and we all put away the dishes. The children cheerfully reached for the items and pleasantly put them away. It was beautiful to behold. Then Graham loaded plates and bowls into the dishwasher while Annie rinsed out the blender (after I removed the blades!). The sink was emptied, the counter was cleared, and the blender beckoned.
I learned a few things: first, my kids are totally capable of helping more with dishes. Second, it helps to sweeten the deal.
Here's the mint smoothie I came up with. It was good!
8-10 big ice cubes
1.5 cups of milk ... or thereabouts (every line of this recipe should say ... or thereabouts)
1.5 cups of vanilla ice cream
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt (but silky tofu works too)
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
2 packets hot chocolate powder
1/4 cup chocolate chips (the kids love to drop these in, one at a time)
and 2 t. peppermint extract
