Tick Tock, Chickenpox

Sometimes I just need to lose the household clock.  Some days I scale back the 'to do list' to include

- change diapers
- feed everyone
- make dinner

... and "nothing" else.  "Nothing", of course, opens hours quickly filled.  Filled not with catching up on laundry or cleaning out the fridge (worthwhile tasks, of course, and in dire need of happening), but with snuggles, one on one, and good stories.

And also, in our particular circumstances at the moment, calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, and lots of diaper free time, since the chickenpox seem to have hit his lower back particularly badly and I think the diaper makes it worse.

But his fever is gone, and his spots are scabbing over, and I know that soon, soon, we'll be back to our usual activities...

... and that beautiful soft smooth skin will be back, too!

Little Helpers

Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking has a new post on including kiddos in household work.  That is something that I really try to do with Nathan (and need to start doing more  with Miriam), so I loved reading about ways she tries to do that in their home.

I especially loved this...

"Including your children in your various household tasks may require more time and effort on your part to teach and instruct them, and there very well may be a bigger mess afterward…but what is more important? Investing in your relationship and teaching valuable skills in the process or sending them away and getting the job done quicker while losing out on this important opportunity?"

And here is my comment on her post...

My two year old "washes" dishes with me every morning.  He has also started putting things in the dryer as I unload the washer, getting specific items out of the fridge for me while I'm cooking, and throwing things away when I ask him to.  Yes, it takes longer, yes, sometimes the clean clothes end up on the floor before they make it to the dryer, and yes, we've broken a lot of glasses while washing dishes... but he is learning, he is trying to help, and we are enjoying working together!