A tale of Two Children

I don't know if I can do this story justice with my story telling skills. But I will try.

I have been battling the toys lately. I have been trying really hard to make sure the two kids have cleaned up the living room and their rooms each night before bed. For some this may not be hard but for us it is. You see I don't like the fight. Most nights it is just easier to let their rooms be a mess. Well back in July, I did the mommy freak out, and loaded all their toys into garbage bags. The toys were in the garage for a couple of weeks then they earned them back. Needless to say this worked, on one child.

My son James, is a sweet boy. He is very sensitive and empathetic. He has a huge heart and is easily scared by threats.

My daughter Hannah, is a funny little creature we haven't yet figured out. Cute as a button but feisty as heck. We haven't found the key to disciplining her.

Can you guess which child the garbage bag system worked on?

Tonight it was clean up time and I told James "go clean up your room." And he did. I told Hannah "clean up your room, start by putting the stuffed animals on the widow ledge." She told me "I can't." Actually she whined "I Caaaaan't." So I proceeded to just close her in her room. I told her she couldn't come out until she had picked up the stuffed animals.

James finished cleaning up his room so I bargained with him. "You helped Hannah make a mess, you help clean it up, and I will let you have some lemonade." OK. He was off to help her. Minutes later he is out "I can't clean up her room when she is just playing with her toys."

No kidding.

Then dinner was ready so I brought them out to eat. Cleaning was put on hold for awhile. Jerry called from work and I was asking him "What are we going to do with this child?" As I was on the phone I told her to pick up her toys or they were going in the garbage. Hannah shrugged her little shoulders and said "do it." No joke. I actually had to hide from her because I started to laugh.

I set the timer for 10 minutes and what ever wasn't up was going in the garbage. James started shrieking and running around and crying. Hannah just stood there and looked at me. So I turned off the timer and grabbed the garbage bag. So you want to play, do you?

I went into her room and started putting things in the bag. At this time James is in hysterics. I am hugging him trying to explain they're her toys and she doesn't care, don't worry about it. Nope. I put a white teddy bear in the bag and he starts crying "that's my favorite!" OK, go put it in your room. Hannah starts crying.

OK! I finally got to her. Nope. She grabs the bear and sticks it back in the garbage bag. She then starts picking up her floor and putting the toys in the garbage bag. She isn't fazed in the least bit.

So I have her come with me to the garbage can. On the way out, the garage door gets her toe a little bit. I get to the can. Throw the toys in the can and she starts crying. FINALLY! I got through.

"So, Hannah, why are you crying?"

"My toe hurts."

Augghhh!

I come back into the house and try to peel her brother off of the ceiling.

What am I going to do with these two?