Clean Freaks

My girls like to clean.  The twirls love helping out and picking up toys.  Lately Scarlett tries to convince me that she's too tired to pick up at night.  But she's figured out if she starts cleaning and sings "clean up clean up everybody everywhere" the twirls will come running to her to help her pick it up.  Haha!  At least they're not fighting!  Even the nursery leaders have commented on how good the twirls are at cleaning up the toys.  Siena is right in there picking up toys (even toys that are still in someone's hands).  Jaide will clean up as long as she thinks no one is watching.  She is more shy and doesn't like the leaders to really talk to her when she's playing or cleaning. 

But it can be a little unhelpful.  Don't get me wrong, I like that they are interested in cleaning.  But most kids run away from the vacuum.  Once I turn the vacuum on the girls run from across the house to "help" me.  Everyone wants their turn!

Sweeping is a different story.  Yes they are enamored with it - but they also like to bend over and examine my little trash pile then reach into it and scatter everything around the floor.  So I end up sweeping while using my body as a human shield to protect my precious refuse until I can scoop into the dustpan.  In this photo you can see Siena leaning into Jami's pile - getting ready to wave her hand in it.  

For Christmas they got little cleaning tools.  Yes, the sweeping is a little easier.  Especially cause I have a few seconds to sweep while they run into the toy room to find their brooms.  But once they come back they like to sweep my pile.  I try and show them other areas of the floor they can sweep, but why work on a few little crumbs when mom has made a huge heap of stuff to sweep...

Sometimes I build a table fort while I mop.  This usually keeps them away from the steamer for a little bit.  They don't really care for the steamer though cause it's too hot.

Hopefully I can nurture this interest in cleaning for the future.