Cel-e-brate Good Times, C'mon!

It's funny what a little motivation will do for children.

My kids have become enamored with "The Sims" computer programs this summer. Their daddy used to play Sims games all the time (before he got really busy at work). The kids found his old CDs and loaded them onto the computers and now they're hooked on The Sims.

They've downloaded (free) things to spice up their games and discovered cheats to help them make more money and keep their Sim families healthy. Now, of course, they want more Sims games.

Seeing as how it's so close to Christmas, I suggested that they put the desired Sims games on their Christmas lists. Won't work, I was told. Their Christmas lists are already full (they only get 3 items each for Christmas, and I guess they each already have their top 3 items on their lists...)

So a plan was hatched. My 9 year-old gets the "Plan Hatcher of the Year" award. She's a great hatcher of plans.

"Mommy? If we clean stuff up around the house today, can we earn money to buy Sims 2?"

I ain't no dummy. I'm all over getting out of household chores. Sounded like a plan to me.

I gave the kids a long list. I expected about half of it to be done before they pooped out. It was enough to exhaust even me.

The list?

Empty dishwasher.
Put up dishes.
Wipe down kitchen counters and table.
Vacuum house.
Straighten up den.
Clean bedrooms.
Make beds.
Clean basement (included vacuuming, getting toys, books, etc. out of the floor, and putting up a bunch of stuff that was on the big table down there)
Empty dryer.
Empty washing machine.
Put up folded clothes.
Clean up the playroom (this was a BIG job)

They presented their initial request to me around 8:30 am. It's now 11:45 am.

They're done with every chore I had on the list. They didn't fuss, fight, scream or whine. They've been super nice little worker bees.

Camryn is now cooking lunch for all of the kids.

I'm searching Amazon for their game.

Aiden said, "I bet this is the best day of your life!"

Pretty close, son. Pretty close!