Not all is ever lost

When I think that all is lost: the lovely "chalk art on the driveway" project turns into "throw chalk on the roof," the boys do something to soften my thoughts. This morning, as we prepared for company, I washed floors, cleaned the kitchen, did laundry, etc., as the boys played. While I was upstairs, I heard Zach say in an exasperated voice: "Ben. Don't. You're making the rug all dirty and mommy will just have to work harder." Turns out, Ben had mud on his shoes. Good Boy, "Zachy" as Ben would say. The boys did do their part to get ready for winter. We stacked wood and they carried, one, then two, then three, then four pieces before they tired.