a little helper with a love for shoes.

Noah is such a joy to have in our life! Sometimes I wonder how life would be if I had more boys than girls, but I look back and I'm grateful to have had him after having three girls. His three sisters do keep him entertained and teach him a lot...especially when it comes to his wardrobe.

He's such a little helper, and has a love for shoes! His...

he loves shoes...I blame his sisters!

 and mine.

sporting my red shoes

Every time I come home from church he'll want to put them on. Sierra wore her Hunter boots the other day, and he was trying so hard to put them on by himself. I had to hold his little hand just so he can stand in them.

He's also been a good cleaner lately. Every time he sees his sister's mop, or sweep the floor he'll grab the broom and start sweeping. He's been doing that since he was about one. This past weekend he saw Lexie cleaning the toilet, and he just pitched in and started helping. He grabbed a sponge and started cleaning. He didn't even splash. There are no gloves his size so we made sure he washed his hands afterwards. He did such a good job, and was so happy to know that he helped. Just take a look at his face!

He even helped his dad mow the lawn this summer...

Moments like this makes me one happy mom! Knowing that I have taught them the meaning of the word "chores". I hope I have been a good example when it comes to cleaning because it is a priority in my life (and it's not because I'm hispanic!) One great attribute about my mother is that she taught me how to clean. Glad to see that our kids are learning that as well...especially at a very young age.

Saturday Chores

A clean house is a sign of a boring person.
~Author Unknown

A clean house is a sign of a boring person. ~Author Unknown

Sorry unknown author, but I'm going to have to disagree. I can guarantee you we are not boring!!!

Growing up in a small house that literally had three large rooms, my sister and I didn't have much to clean. Since there were only the two of us, my mom assigned me to dust the very few pieces of furniture we owned and my sister was in charge of vacuuming. Even though we were always yearning to cook and hardly ever did, we always took turns washing the dishes. We only had a half bath (toilet only with shelves up above) and the shower was outside. Our shower was cemented so it didn't require too much cleaning.

In our house today, there are four children. My three daughters all take turns cleaning the bathroom, sweeping, mopping, washing dishes (we hardly ever use our dishwasher), taking out the trash and the recycling bins. None of them have a specific chore and they all pitch in. Some families may assign each kid the same duty over and over again. I don't. I want each of my children to learn how to clean everything! Our house is not that big and we don't have a lot of furniture to dust. I think our two pianos take up the whole living room! Even though Noah is 16 months old, he LOVES it when any of his sisters turn the vacuum on. He will immediately grab it and start maneuvering it around and start vacuuming the magic carpets on our hardwood floors. He is not afraid of the sound once it's turned on, and loves to hear the sound of suction.

I know that he learned this by the example his sisters portray while doing their chores. I believe that no kid is ever too young to start cleaning, or in Noah's case vacuuming. I know that by assigning them any chore will teach them responsibility, and as they get older they will eventually become a pro in any area of cleaning...especially when they are on their own. It is also one way they can earn some moola!

Our girls LOVE that part!!