How did it get like this!

So, I had a semi-Saturday off today. We decided as a family to scale back a few extra-curricular activities to get some things done at home and have a little family time.  First on our list, while Daddy and Ann were at a 3 hour soft-ball practice (did I mention that she is 6), it was time for Riley to clean his room, while I worked on the bathrooms. No big deal right?

I am a firm believer in kids doing housework, how else are they going to learn. However, I am not very big on follow up. Today  I got a serious reality check and a really  good look in the drawers, under the bed, the corners, of the closet,  and the toy boxes in my firstborn’s  room and I was appalled and embarrassed!

This was what I dumped out, pulled out and eventually threw out of the nooks and crannies of his room! He is hanging his head in shame and so was I . As I began to realize how many school papers, candy wrappers, missing socks, and matchbox cars were stuffed in placed I didn’t know existed I realized the last time I had really did a major clean-out in his room was last JUNE! I remember clearly because while moving his new dresser into his room, I dropped it on my foot breaking my big toe and loosing the nail—OUCH! Since then, I have been trusting that he was doing a good job then simply vacuuming and dusting the main surfaces and missing the underlying filth! This post is to remind me that they really are still young and I need to be a little more diligent with the oversight… Three hours later we were done cleaning that room, softball practice was over and we could enjoy the rest of our day together. Sure wish I would have got an after picture before he was snug in bed. Oh well, there is always sister’s room tomorrow.

Train up a child in the way he should, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6