An Unexpected Turn of Events

The boys and I headed outside this afternoon, which usually puts everyone into a blissful, happy mood.  Today was not one of those days.  My 5-yo was actually yelling that his 4-yo brother was pitching the ball like he was batting left handed and he is a right handed batter (REALLY??).  The 2-yo was crying because he didn't like the batman water CUP that I had fixed for him, because no, he wanted the batman water BOTTLE.  The baby was in the baby bjorn and between the heat and humidity, we were both already hot, sweaty and miserable.  I assessed the situation and quickly decided that we were going back inside today.  I called the troops in.  Immediately, they demanded a tv show and were fighting about who was going to pick it before they even got to the front door.  I turned to them and said - no, no tv.  Find something else to do.  Grumble, grumble, grumble.  I sighed thinking that it was going to be a long 3 hours until bedtime. 

Inside, I suggested coloring, playmobile and the unthinkable - cleaning.  The 5-yo immediately said he'd color.  I sent him to the pantry to retrieve his supplies.  The 2-yo pulled up a chair next to him at the kitchen table and started using some stamps.  I quickly pulled out some construction paper before he stamped the whole house and told him to stamp the paper.  He said okay in agreement and I shook my head at him thinking that 2 out of 4 kids were happy.  I looked down at the baby, still attached to me in the baby bjorn, but now sleeping.  Scratch that - 3 out of 4 kids were happy.  I turned around and found my 4-yo looking at me.  I turned on the Ipod and announced that I was going to clean the oven.  A potato had exploded earlier that week (don't ask) and we have had lots of fun potato explosion conversations since the event.  He excitedly volunteered to help and I gladly accepted.  So, there we were.  All 5 of us, happily co-existing in the kitchen.  Productively.  And could things get even better??  The 4-yo looks at me and actually asks can he help by vacuuming up spare potato parts that are now a mess on the kitchen floor instead of in the oven.  I smile at him and say I'll plug it up.  He proceeds to vacuum the rest of the downstairs and does a mighty fine job, if I may say so.  Hello!  New chore officially added to the list. 

Maybe tomorrow, we'll turn the tv on if we're looking for a distraction, but maybe, just maybe I'll try leaving it off again.