Washing Day.

Oh, the tears... Little Miss K left her precious 'fine china' outside for a few days. The mowers came and blew dirt and dust ALL over them.

My gosh, what an affront! They made them 'all dirty!'

'If you have fine things, K, you have to look after them,' I said, 'you have to take care of them and keep them safe.'

'Oh, Mommy,' she replied hopefully, 'will you put them in the dishwasher?'

'Definitely NOT', I replied, 'YOU will wash them.'

We filled a basin with warm soapy water, found a sponge and K got to work.

She washed her 'fine china' until it sparkled, plunging her hands into the fluffy water.
She worked diligently, making sure not a speck of dirt remained.
Then she rinsed her crockery and put each piece carefully on the rack to dry.
I smiled to myself as I watched her work and marveled at how much she has to teach me... it was the way she threw herself, body and soul, joyfully, into her work. When similar mishaps happen to me, I begrudge the extra work that has been caused. I cuss and stamp my foot and do what has to be done with a scowl on my face. Here was this little girl, working joyfully. What time I have wasted with that scowl on my face when I could have been working joyfully instead! Not to say that I will always be cleaning up spilt milk with a smile on my face... just that I know I could be.

Today is the last day of voting for the Etsy Kids Halloween challenge. Alas, Pumpkin Mouse is coming second. He is such a delicate little fellow and I anguish terribly over the disappointment he will feel if he does not win. He thinks he is the cutest little mouse in town and I fear that his self confidence will shatter into a thousand pieces. I will have one neurotic little mouse in my cupboard, that's for sure. So, if you haven't voted,

pop on over to HERE to cast your vote. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the VOTE button. Pumpkin Mouse is number 11. He says a big THANK YOU to those of you who have voted for him..

Blessings and magic.