Saturday, A Special Day

Do  you remember Saturday mornings when we were kids?  We didn't just clean. We "detailed". The smell of Pledge still makes me envision the 70's style coffee table - so many nooks and crannies to dust!  I still use newspaper and Windex to clean our windows (which really need to be cleaned right now!).  Using old toothbrushes to clean around the sink.  And vacuuming, how I loved making perfect lines in the carpet.  And how mad I would get when someone walked on it, messing it all up!  The memories.
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Growing up, the only exception to Saturday morning chores was Saturday morning volleyball or basketball games at the Stake Center. Which reminds me to make a shout out to Kim's Young Women: Congratulations on your winning season! Gook luck at Regionals!"
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This morning as the girls were "detailing" the banister and stair railing (they did such a good job!), the boys and I were pulling the cushions off the couch.  We discovered a couple toys and remains of countless bowls of dry cereal and crackers.  It made me a little sad.  Not because of the mess, but because the joy they were missing out on.  :)
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Let me explain my thoughts...  when we were young, do you remember fighting to be the one who cleaned out the couch cushions?  Why was it one of the coveted chores?  The rewards of course!  Back then pockets were usually filled with change - pennies, dimes, nickels and even an occasional quarter or two.  When someone would sit down on the couch, the coins would fall out of their pockets and into the cushions of the couch.  So, when it came time to clean beneath the cushions, there was always a treasure to be found = joy!  I just threw a few coins in the couch, along with a couple toys, for next week - so they can experience the joy of cleaning.  :)
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If I don't have music in the background already, it is hard to resist the urge to break out in song while doing chores!  "When We're Helping" is always the first song to escape my lips.  Many a dishes were washed by hand singing that song growing up.  And I should add... many bubbles flew!  :)  The Primary song, "Saturday" is always a favorite. Do they sing that in Primary anymore?
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I got thinking about Lisa, our cousin, today as chores were being done.  For those of you who don't know our cousin, she has a wonderful blog: Almost Famous.  She has some great thoughts on teaching kids how to clean, as well as ideas on how to make my cleaning experience more enjoyable.  :)  Just thought I'd share.  Here are a few links to her posts on cleaning: