Dishwasher

Yesterday I received notice in the mail that my dishwasher had been recalled. Bummer! I was instructed to call a technician for a free repair, and not to use the dishwasher in the mean time, due to fire hazard.

Nice.

Well, there is no time like the present for the kids to learn how to do this job by hand. They have lived their entire lives in a home where machine washing was the way to acomplish this housekeeping task.

For the first two meals I washed and they dried. It was immediately evident that I have way more expertise in this area than they did. From now on we will take turns with the washing, rinsing and drying. Here they are, having their first go at it.

Chores

Setting, Mom setting the table for supper. Child, anxious for dinner, wants to sit at the table 15 minutes before the food is ready.

Mom: Go make your bed, you left it unmade all day.

Child: Oooohhhhhhh (whiney).

Mom: You know that is something you are supposed to finish before school in the morning. Don't whine.

Child goes into bedroom. Mom sets table and calls family to supper.

After dinner, Mom sees this:I know it is harder for him to make his bed when it is against the wall, but even taking that into account, this is not going to pass inspection! Poor kid will not be happy with me.

Chores

Twice a year we have a dreaded chore -- changing the batteries in the smoke detectors. It is dreaded because the noise is bothersome, especially to the Engineer. And also because one of our alarms seems to come down easily for battery replacement, but remounting it is quite a trick. I'd like to pass this chore along to the kids, but it will be a long while before they can do it. Rick is just tall enough to manage the first floor detector. This week I plan to change up the weekly chores that the kids do. The Engineer is able to handle more work now than he could a year ago. And the Artist can have a little of her work changed around too. More dishes for the kids and less for me--Hooray!