Who knows where this idea came from. My brain. In the deepest, darkest, depths of my brain. I really think it came from desparation. I looked around the downstairs of our house and realized there were tiny toys, big toys, toys everywhere. I.had.had.enough. I got two big tupperware bowls out and I called the troops in. Oldest and Littlest, come here. Blew the whistle and gave the command.
"There will be a contest" I declared.
They came running (really, they actually did). I gave the rules.
1. You have two minutes to pick up as many toys and items that you can. If its on the floor, you can pick it up. DVD covers, paper, it all counts.
2. Whoever collects the most items in this bowls gets a Mack Daddy Prize (imagine four little eyeballs lighting up).
3. Ready Set Go!
And they were off. It was like a miracle. It was Heaven to my eyes. They were happily and very quickly picking up their mess; unwittingly and without yelling or forceful voices they were cleaning up the little blah blah that is always part of the scenery around here. At the end of the two minutes, the downstairs looked like a normal house. Sort of clean, void of all the little 'cratcha' that you get used to in the day to day sometimes when things are busy. Just like that. In two minutes. Like magic. Then I panicked. OMG what will the Mack Daddy Prize BE? I had no idea. Think quick. It can't be a hug or kiss (like normal) they'll be FURIOUS. It can't be a piece of chocolate. This first time was so successful, I had to set a precedent. So in the FUTURE I could give a hug or kiss or piece of chocolate as a prize THEN. I had to make it good so when we do this really productive very fun task AGAIN, they'd be more apt to cooperate. :) And on cue the Littlest was latching on to my leg, "Mamma, Mamma, what is the Mack Daddy Prize do I get a Mack Daddy Prize????" This all happened so fast, I did not properly think ahead. To buy time I made a big to do about sitting down and counting the items to see who "won" (and think fast on a prize). First I made them give me their eyes, made sure I had their attention, and told them what they just did. Do Daddy and I play with toys? No! Who plays with toys, raise your hand. Their hands go up in 1.2 seconds. Yes, that's right kiddos, you guys just picked up your own mess, that you made, with your own hands. Grin! Again, it all happened so fast, they barely knew what they were doing and it was all dawning on them now. Grins all around. A huge 'aha' moment for them.
So then I begin counting the items in each bowl. Lo and behold, they each picked up 25 things. 25 things!!!!!! There were 50 little things here and there, tucked in corners, under chairs, in plain sight, all throughout our downstairs. That is amazing to me! Back to reality, now I realize I had to come up with 2 Mack Daddy Prizes. Thank GOD in the car, I had a bag of goodies which was supposed to be for a work meeting upcoming ( I know I need to replace them, no worries :)) and I ran out to get them. Came in and saved the day with a prize in each hand from the Dollar Tree. Happy happy joy joy all around. I have two bowls of little tiny toys that either need to be put away or tossed out (at my discretion if junk) but I love that I have two bowls of Already.Picked.Up.Toys.
Oh I can promise you, we WILL be doing this little task frequently around here. It works for US! My husband shot me a "great job" when all was done. That just sealed the deal. :)
"There will be a contest" I declared.
They came running (really, they actually did). I gave the rules.
1. You have two minutes to pick up as many toys and items that you can. If its on the floor, you can pick it up. DVD covers, paper, it all counts.
2. Whoever collects the most items in this bowls gets a Mack Daddy Prize (imagine four little eyeballs lighting up).
3. Ready Set Go!
And they were off. It was like a miracle. It was Heaven to my eyes. They were happily and very quickly picking up their mess; unwittingly and without yelling or forceful voices they were cleaning up the little blah blah that is always part of the scenery around here. At the end of the two minutes, the downstairs looked like a normal house. Sort of clean, void of all the little 'cratcha' that you get used to in the day to day sometimes when things are busy. Just like that. In two minutes. Like magic. Then I panicked. OMG what will the Mack Daddy Prize BE? I had no idea. Think quick. It can't be a hug or kiss (like normal) they'll be FURIOUS. It can't be a piece of chocolate. This first time was so successful, I had to set a precedent. So in the FUTURE I could give a hug or kiss or piece of chocolate as a prize THEN. I had to make it good so when we do this really productive very fun task AGAIN, they'd be more apt to cooperate. :) And on cue the Littlest was latching on to my leg, "Mamma, Mamma, what is the Mack Daddy Prize do I get a Mack Daddy Prize????" This all happened so fast, I did not properly think ahead. To buy time I made a big to do about sitting down and counting the items to see who "won" (and think fast on a prize). First I made them give me their eyes, made sure I had their attention, and told them what they just did. Do Daddy and I play with toys? No! Who plays with toys, raise your hand. Their hands go up in 1.2 seconds. Yes, that's right kiddos, you guys just picked up your own mess, that you made, with your own hands. Grin! Again, it all happened so fast, they barely knew what they were doing and it was all dawning on them now. Grins all around. A huge 'aha' moment for them.
So then I begin counting the items in each bowl. Lo and behold, they each picked up 25 things. 25 things!!!!!! There were 50 little things here and there, tucked in corners, under chairs, in plain sight, all throughout our downstairs. That is amazing to me! Back to reality, now I realize I had to come up with 2 Mack Daddy Prizes. Thank GOD in the car, I had a bag of goodies which was supposed to be for a work meeting upcoming ( I know I need to replace them, no worries :)) and I ran out to get them. Came in and saved the day with a prize in each hand from the Dollar Tree. Happy happy joy joy all around. I have two bowls of little tiny toys that either need to be put away or tossed out (at my discretion if junk) but I love that I have two bowls of Already.Picked.Up.Toys.
Oh I can promise you, we WILL be doing this little task frequently around here. It works for US! My husband shot me a "great job" when all was done. That just sealed the deal. :)
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