How in the World do you run a house with 7 children???

We have had the famous question......How do you do it? Well, first I remind them that "we don't do it!- God is the center of our fun, crazy, chaotic household". Then my next response is --My children help do it all!
Look at that smile- they love our new vacuum- Dyson is the best- expensive, but great. From the age of 2 they start picking up toys, helping carry the dishes to the dishwasher, putting clothes in the laundry basket, and any other tidbits we can find! In fact really we start when they can walk, but it takes until 2 to get the basics down.
We gradually build to taking the dog out, feeding and getting water for all of our pets- we have an indoor dog, outdoor dog, indoor cat, and 2 gerbils (we love animals- especially ones from rescue shelters), cleaning mirrors, sinks, toilets, vacuuming, emptying the dishwasher, helping prepare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner- with learning the basics of cooking & cleaning up.
They all do a great job!!!! I am not bragging by any means, but others ask- how do you get them to do it all.....my answer- I don't give them a choice. I do my best (not perfect by any stretch) to model a cheerful housekeeper. We try to make it a team play....we all do our part to help out. I have to say it is a work of God!!!! My children do their part most of the time without complaint. Mostly because they know it will not work, but also because I believe God is working in them to make them each servants for HIM!!! I praise God for this!!!!!

So here are some great kid quotes.....Sarah says to me- my shirt is getting small. I love it when our kids say these things....like the shirt must have shrunk (or you are growing!!!). I love it when they mimic. So most people's children play house...mine do to, but they call it playing honey? Not sure why? Maybe because I call Jason honey a lot?

So here are my children's typical playing time this summer. They say- OK so repeat after me...oh the Lord is good to me...and so I thank the Lord...for giving me the things I need.....like the sun and the rain....and the appleseed.....oh the Lord is good to me.....amen, amen, amen, amen.....- this is one of several singing graces we do.

Or they will say "OK so here we have salad, fruit, and pb and j if you are extra hungry or want more food. this is how we clean up....one person will be the "hopper" and they will come early set out the plates, silverware, cups, napkins, and then they will take the food to the tables. After meals this person will bring back up all the serving trays, leftover food, clear all the dishes. Here is where you stack your plates- no higher than 10, here is the bucket for the cups, and here is the bucket for the silverware. Note that if you throw the silverware in - you will get splashback because there is soapy water in this bucket. Also make sure to put any left over liquids in these tin cans so that when our wonderful kitchen staff empty the garbage later in the day they don't get nasty ooze running down their legs. We will switch "hoppers" every meal. " etc. etc. Oh yeah that is the speech I give during the first meal every week. Hey, at least my children listen. They have it all down.

So that is what happens when you are a camp director's kids. My children are not afraid to tell staff if they think they are breaking any safety rules. They have heard me talk about American Camping Association accredidation. The over 300 saftey rules we follow to make it safe for campers. They know the camp routine better than anyone.

The only bad part is our staff will leave in a week and a half.....and my kids cry every year. They really love our staff and our staff really love them too! So we will start preparing our kids for that. Then we will talk up our vacation we will be going on soon after the staff leave. Hey, the distraction technique sometimes works.

Until later my blog friends!