Children's Chores

This summer the kids were able to spend more time at home now that Keane is helping on the farm a few days a week.  This also gave them more time to obtain and complete chores, Kaden more than Kylie.  Kaden's current chores consist of mowing and taking out the trash, which includes burning it, and putting away his laundry after I have it washed, dried, and folded.  Kylie...she really doesn't have any chores besides putting away her laundry.  Sometimes she will do dishes, and sometimes she will help fold the laundry.

Here is Kaden's mowing job, which besides the fact that he mows at a higher speed than he should, he does a decent job.

One day I came home from work and asked Kylie if she played all day, and Keane was proud to inform me that she washed the brownie bowl and the pie plate...which I later found in the dish washer.

When I was younger, my sister and I had to help Mom clean the house completely about one Saturday each month.  She made a game out of it, though.  We drew cards to find out which order we would clean the rooms: living room, bathroom, kitchen (I think she left our bedrooms for us to clean ourselves).  Then we would each draw a card to find out what our job would be: vacuum/sweep, dust, window/glass cleaner.  We also had to take care of pets...rabbits, hamsters, cats, birds, etc.  We also had to help with the dishes, and when we were older, we had to do our own laundry.  We could earn a total of $20 a month if I remember right, $5 each week we completed our chores.

What chores do your kids do at home?

Three years ago...

Three years ago I first met you.  I cannot hardly imagine life before you.  I do remember talking to my sister (your mom) on the phone many days and nights prior to your arrival, as normal.  We discussed you and what all we could expect.  What I didn't expect was the lack of availability I would have to speak to your mom via phone calls after you were born.  You really put a halt to all our every-day conversations.  You would inevitably interrupt our conversations with crying, and we ended up hanging up without many goodbyes. 

Last night as I talked to your mom on the phone, on your last evening being two-years-old.

Look on the roof...on the top of our house...on the top...

See the squirrel?  See that creature?

That's a squirrel.  That's what Roxy was barking at.

I think it's going to jump into the tree!

This was exactly how she answered my phone call.  I love hearing your little voice on the other end of the phone.  You are always full of excitement and stories and chitter chatter. 

You're more than I imagined when your mom and I used to talk on the phone for hours.  I never could have imagined the love I feel for you.  I am always excited to see you or talk to you on the phone -- that is when you decide you feel like talking.

"What would you like Aunt Kristi to get you for your birthday?

"No, my dad is going to give me a Duck Hunting birthday party!"

"Okay..."

You're you, and that's everything that's perfect about you. 

Happy Birthday, Nephew.  You mean more to me than you'll ever know.