Child labor

It is not easy to find good help these days. The economy is tight and people just don't have the money to throw around on things like "Dog Poop Picker-Uppers".  


I did notice that Petsm@rt has Doggie Daycamp - in case I had extra money to take my dog to Petsm@rt for a day of play with other dogs who will just teach him bad habits. But that (of course) has nothing to do with this at all. 


Out of 4 kids, you would think that ONE of them would take care of the bombs that Hank leaves in the yard. It's not all that difficult, since he does just use one general area for his business. Of course that doesn't meant that you will find ME out there. Ever. Just sayin. 


Luckily this weekend Mini P begged me to let her clean up Hanks mess. Of course I asked if she had been a good girl...She said "YES!", so I said "OK, you may go clean up the dog poop!". Like I am rewarding her or something. Don't judge me - I get to raise 'em up how I see fit :)


Then she convinced her brother to come out and help her.  She made it sound exciting and FUN - she even told him that HE could do the shovel today! (She nearly made me want to join, but then I remembered where she was going).


(photos taken from inside thru screens - hence very fuzzy pictures)

All scooped up and ready for transport

Monkey dumped it and Mini P had to start over raking

3rd time is a charm?...the load got dumped again...

I had to stop watching because I almost started to feel badly about how many times she raked it onto the shovel and he walked 6 inches and it all fell off the shovel. I'm pretty sure that there was a trail of Hank poop from the area he used all the way to the large pile by the fence.


When they came in, they were both proud of a job well done and Monkey was even happy that his sister let him do the shovel work. She's so smart, I've hardly had to train her in the fine art of getting other people to do the hard job and them thinking it was their idea :)

Less is more?

If less is more, is it OK to have less more often? I suppose more or less it could be...


Thanks to Starbucks' price increase, I've had to either go longer in between drinks or buy a smaller size.  My Mocha is a reward for my survival. Raising 4 kids can be very stressful (and even when it isn't, I still reward myself). 


Honestly I only get 1-2 a week, so it's  not like I over indulge. It IS 10 miles to Starbucks and no where near my neighborhood, so I make up reasons to go to Target (which houses a Starbucks) or run errands near one with a drive thru.


So, what started out as a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with candy, cards, Valentine's hugs and a trip to Target - came crashing down on me as soon as we got home.


Agent P spent his $1 on a new Hot Wheel.


Which he dropped in the potty.


While he was pooping. (please don't ask me how this could possibly happen. I really don't know. I've tried imagining it and it is too much for this mama to handle)


And I had to retrieve it.


With poop in the potty.


Thank goodness I have gloves.


Did I mention there was poop in the potty?


I hope you were not eating lunch or anything while you read this...


I have no photos of the event.


Again, you are welcome.


And I may have to drive back to Starbucks. And reward myself. Again.