Cleanliness is next to-

Today I am thankful that my boys have reached the age that they don't want me around all the time, but still think I'm totally awesome and make sure they know where I am every three minutes.

Don't worry, the motherly requirement to keep an eye and/or ear on them at all times is still in effect.

Confusion aside, what does this mean?

It means I can deep clean my kitchen while they make messes elsewhere in the house and interrupt me often, but still let me get something done.

Still confused? Me, too:)

How's this- all week long the boys have wanted my complete and undivided attention. Constantly. And when they didn't get it, there was much acting out. Factoring in that I have three children who wanted this at the same time and there were always at least two boys behaving in ways they have been taught not to.

But today? Today they want me to be in whichever room they are not. This means they can run up to me at any point and tell me what awesome thing they are currently doing and run out again. This also means I can be in the kitchen, conveniently placed in the "center" of the house, and clean, clean, clean while pausing to say, "That's amazing!" or to break up yet another fight.

My kitchen is a happy place today. Spots are coming off the walls, the sink is shining, the window is clear, the dust and grime is gone from many a surface, and 1/3 of my kitchen is looking new again.

Sadly, it looks as though it may be too big of a job to finish today. I still have the bar to clean, the cupboard doors to wash, two more walls to wipe down, and the microwave, the fridge, and the floor to tackle. Not to mention the fact that I need to dust the ledges above the fridge and cupboards and I should clean the inside of the oven.

But even a partly deep cleaned kitchen makes me happy. And the chicken pot pie my sister in law made for us, thereby saving me time making dinner tonight, gets me all the closer to having a feel-good kitchen.

Thanks, boys, for playing together. Now if you could just stop the fighting, it'd be a perfect day. And wouldn't you know it, that cued another screaming match. Time for a nap, another blessing from heaven:)

What are you thankful for this awesome Thanksgiving season?