clean up day

I should say that every day in the Hedden house is "clean up day". Now, whether or not it actually happens is another thing. With a house on the market, and two toddlers, Mama's stress levels go up and down. I certainly don't expect my children to live in a museum, but I do expect, at 2 and 4 years old, that these two can help put away toys when they're done playing with them. We sing the "clean up" song and make a game of it, but there are days when they prefer to flat out ignore me. This brings me to today...

"Emmy, Brinley, put away all your toys before we leave for the pool."

good luck getting help out of me

Brin: A very decisive "No."
Emmy is chattering away to herself oblivious of everything around her.

"Yes, pick up the toys now, or we're not going."
Brin: "Go simmin pooool?"
"Yes, pick up your toys so we can go swimming."
Brin is now dancing a jig very excited to go to the pool and kicking her toys around.

Emmy is twirling and singing and half dressed.
"Emmy, get your swim suit on"
Emmy: "I can't."
"Yes you can, you are 4 years old. Brin get those toys put away."

Brin: "No."
Emmy: "Mommy, what toys can I take to the pool?"

I sigh... This girl is trying to take the toys with us so she doesn't have to pick them up. I know that within 5 minutes at the pool, I'll be carrying all toys around while they splash.

"Get the toys in the toy box now!"
Brin: "okkkkkkkkkk" This kid can already roll her eyes at me and has mastered sarcasm.
Emmy: "Mommy, how many toys can I take?"
"One. Now get the rest put away."

So the girls mope about and pick up about half of the toys. Good enough, let's go... And sure enough, mama ends up carrying toys around at the pool.

We get home, and I start to make lunch. I keep tripping on the toys that didn't get put away earlier. So, I do what any rational mother does. I throw them in the trash. Granted the only ones I chucked were cheap toys out of kids' meals. About a half hour later, Emmy goes to throw something away.

Emmy: "MOMMY! OH NO! WHY ARE THE TOYS IN THE TRASH!?!"

"Honey, if you and your sister don't put them in the toy box when I ask you to, I throw them away."

A horrified look comes across her face.

Emmy (completely disgruntled): "oh nooooooooooooo!" and keeps turning and looking around.

I'm a little confused. I admit it.
"What's wrong, Baby?"

She turns quickly on her heel, speeds away to her room and yells: "I'll be back, I gotta clean my room! Brin! Stay out of my room!"

I smirk and think to myself: "wow, all I had to do was throw away a cheap plastic ball..."