i can't help it

I like to brag about my kids. I can't help it---they are just great kids and they make me very proud. Starring in today's shameless brag: Little Boy.

Yesterday, I was exhausted beyond belief and I needed a nap. I put Fat Girl down for her nap and told Little Boy that I was going to sleep for a little while. He said "Good Night Mom!" and went on with his playing. I could hear him occasionally while I was resting, but he just stayed in the family room and played with his toys. At one point, I heard Little Boy say to himself "Oh no! Now what am I going to do!?" I'm not sure what happened, but whatever it was he took care of it himself. I stayed in bed for an hour until Fat Girl rudely woke me up. I felt much better and thanked Little Boy profusely for allowing me to take a break.

Of course, an hour of no mommy around meant a big mess. The bed pillows and every throw pillow in the house were piled on the couch (oops, I mean airplane), stuffed animals were on the airplane in the middle of a cross country flight, toys were strewn from the bedroom to the family room and back again. I announced to Little Boy "Time to Clean up!" He half-heartedly started picking up a few thing. Then I told him that friends were coming over, but only if he helped clean up. I went on to vacuum up the popcorn that I had let Fat Girl throw all over the dining area and cleaned up the kitchen. Little Boy cleaned up the family room and as I was praising him for doing such a great job and even putting the pillows back on the couches correctly, he told me that he cleaned up his room too. This is what I found when I went to his room:

Isn't it amazing what a little motivation will do?

Did I mention that he's only 3?