Enough is enough!

What the heck is that picture? Let me explain.

Like every Mom I tend to say things when I'm upset and then never really follow through...i.e. "You're grounded until you're 30", etc. Well today I actually followed through. It was just 'one of those days' around here. Tons of fussing, fighting, whining, and crying. I was just about to farm them all out on playdates when I thought 'why should they get to play as a reward for being rude and drivng me nuts?' It certainly didn't help their case that I had a terrible headache and our landlord had just dropped off the amazingly long and detailed cleaning checkout sheet.

Yep. I rounded up my 4 oldest children, a stash of old toothbrushes, an extra large box of baking soda and we got to work. Cinderella style. They spent a good chunk of the afternoon cleaning the grout between the kitchen floor tile. I have to admit mopping floors is not my forte...and (don't judge me here) I have NEVER cleaned the grout. Not once. Part of me wishes I had taken a 'before' photo so you could see the difference...but part of me is glad I didn't because you would be judging me for sure! It was a huge change and now, I must say, we have a splendidly clean floor. It's glaring white. Bonus: my children worked together, discovered they don't actually hate each other, ended up having some fun, gained some appreciation for a hard day's work, tried really hard not to spill at dinner, got completely worn out, and are snuggled up together watching some TV before an early bedtime. Hard work is good for the soul...I should follow through more often!