The Vacuum Game

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I vacuum more with three children than I did with two children, and I vacuumed more with two than with one. This is probably a measure of the fact that two preschoolers drag in more filth than one little baby, I'm slowly eradicating more of my lazy habits, I'm valuing housework more, and I'm learning to be more creative in how to get things done.

The Vacuum Game

Mama (enthusiastic): "Okay, kids! Gather round! Guess what we're going to do now?"

Chorus: "What?"

Mama: "The Vacuum Game!"

Chorus: "The one where we run around and try to get away from you?"

Mama: "Yes! So we'll start in Mary's bedroom. You're going to run around the room and pick up everything off the floor. Ready, set, go!"

Kids run around gleefully picking up toys. When we play the Vacuum Game, they love picking up toys. When we're just plain picking up toys, there is much weeping and gnashing of teeth over their suddenly nearly paralyzed limbs.

Mama: "Okay, great job, kids! Now, Mary gets to plug in the vacuum in her bedroom. John will get to plug in the vacuum in his bedroom. Go for it, Mary!"

Mary: "Okay, Mama!"

Mama vacuums with the baby always on her left hip, vacuum in right hand. Kids run around screaming with joy as they "almost" get sucked up by the vacuum, and Mama indulges them with sound effects ("woo-hoo, I almost got you! watch out!"). When there is a cord in the way, she asks which child is strong enough to pick up the tangled cord, and they race to do it. When switching bedrooms, we repeat the same cycle of kids picking up all toys off the floor, a chosen child plugging and unplugging, and almost getting sucked up.