Well, my kids are finding their own ways to have fun, and that's good right now because I am busy with the packing.<P>This morning I could hear them laughing as I worked in another room, and I thought how nice, they're all getting along so well . <P>After about twenty minutes, my son came to see me. He said they had some bubble mixture and it spilled everywhere on the tiled floor. What they were doing was having a skating match on the slippery surface!!!! <P>To make it worse, they had tried to clean it up with dishwashing liquid!!!! <P>Well, they had a lot of fun, which is what they need right now .<P>Took me an hour to clean it up, but it was worth it to hear them laughing again.

Hi Nina,<P>Im so happy for you and I know that you will treasure these precious moments that you are having with your kids.<P>Glad to see that you are happy.<P>God bless<BR>

this is so funny I wish I were there for the slip and slide, I sure could use some of the fun now also. I love kids, they make the best of everything. I am happy you let them enjoy and didn't take out anything one them. This makes me want to get my grandson and soap the kitchen floor LOL.<P>

Heehee, you made me think of a time when I was severely depressed and neglecting my kids.<P>They were about 3 and 5 I think...and I was rarely watching them although I was at home.<P>Anyway, these little monkies one morning went to the closet, got out their rain coats and rubber boots, put them on, and then sprayed down my entire kitchen with the sprayer nozzle. I entered the room to find 3 inches of water on the floor, and EVERYTHING dripping.<P>It wasn't funny then, things were so desperate. But now, we talk about it as a family with the kids and get sooooo many giggles <P>------------------<BR><I>Pain is a given, misery is optional.</I>

It is great when you hear those laughs from children isn't it. When they are hurt you hurt but when they laugh so do you. I always say I can make it with God and my kids leading the way. I have been depressed enough before that I do not spend the time I need to with my son but, somehow someway he gets me with silly antics like that. Then we are off laughing and having a great time.<P>I know deep down inside if it was not for my son and the baby on the way I would not make it as well as I have. They give me reason and hope to carry on. To do the best I can for them and myself so they can have a family. And so can I. They are my blessings my gift from God. <P>Here is sit today trying to use my imagination and a whole deal of Elmers Glue to make my son a pirates ship out of popsicle sticks...LOL I have no artistic ability what so ever but, I shocked my self we did a pretty good job and for him to be so excited about it brings me joy.<P>Take Care<P>K

Ok nina I think the census is we should all pour dish soap on the floor and have some fun with our children..<BR>yea it is a mess but, it was a mess when we had them too and we all smiled so what the heck why not.... <BR>Thank you nina<BR>Janet

Nina - this reminds me... <P>Several years ago my kids got 'bubbles' for a birthday party and were blowing them in my kitchen. I had realized that I would have to mop up when they were done, but they were busy - having fun, and I was busy sewing in the dining room - so I let them have fun. Giggling children is the best medicine. I was getting tired, so I started putting away the sewing stuff and the phone rang - so I left the kitchen area and went to answer the phone. About the same time, my kids decided to go get dried off and find a movie, so here I am chatting on the phone and the kids are out of the kitchen - but the kitchen floor is still a disaster...<P>My H came in from the farm (early) and started into the kitchen, I put my hand over the phone and told him not to go into the kitchen it was a mess. He saw the 'mess' of my sewing stuff folded on the table and assumed that's what I was talking about. Then he proceeded into the kitchen in his bare feet. First I heard a lot of cussing about the floor being wet, then I heard quite a commotion then a sudden THUD in the kitchen The kids quickly flipped off their movie and dissappeared into their room. H came screaming out of the kitchen, yelling about the floor being soaking wet and slippery. I reminded him that I'd told him not to go into the kitchen and pointed at the phone (it was a business call from a client) then finished up my call. When I got off the phone, he started screaming again (hadn't really stopped - but...) and I told him that I'd warned him not to go in the kitchen again - and told him that I knew the floor was slippery the kids had been blowing bubbles in there. I got the mop and cleaned up the mess while he informed the kids that they were NEVER getting bubbles again. He dumped their bubbles - through much crying and begging him not to dump them. <P>I pointed out that they hadn't hurt anything, and that I had warned him not to go in the kitchen - I didn't consider my sewing project in the dining room to be a 'mess'. But, he never has wanted the kids to have bubbles after that. We get them and play outside, but the kids and I often laugh about their escapades in the kitchen on the bubbly floor!!! <P>It was fun! <P>Thanks for reminding me of a precious memory!!! <P>Jan

Jan, that story was hilarious! I can just visualize it.<P>Well, it reminds me to not take life so seriously. I don't mind the messes, it's just cleaning it up that I hate! I'm the one that has to do it! So, I've been saying lately to the boys, "Oh, go ahead with the mess, have fun! But the people/person who makes the mess have to clean it up!" I hope I'm not putting too much of a damper on their fun. <P>Take care!<P><P>------------------<BR><I>"You will deceive yourself into believing that if people, circumstances, and events had been different, your pain would not exist...Your pain is the concrete way in which you participate in the pain of humanity."</I> <BR>~ Henri Nouwen ~

In most cases - I make the kids clean up after they make a mess.<P>We still fingerpaint OUTSIDE only... but messes are part of life... <P>Last year we built a volcano and I let the kids errupt it with vinegar and baking soda They went a bit overboard and it ERUPTED everywhere - fortunately vinegar and baking soda are not bad for the patio, so we just hosed it down...<P>THey had a blast! I enjoyed it too - and it seems that when they make a mess they remember the information they gain too... Great teaching tool. <P>I'm also a home school mom - so we have LOTS of messes at our house.<P>Jan