today I had the co-op here.  I ended up with 6 kids under the age of 6 at my home.  The housecleaners had just left as my first guest was arriving.  It was all under control. 

Then, the toys started appearing.  The buckets were dumped, blocks everywhere, pillows off the couch to make forts and who knows what else.  Each time I visited the basement, I realized that maybe, just maybe, this house isn’t too big after all.  It might be just the thing to have-a mess where I can’t see it.  I didn’t seem to be bothered that every toy-literally every toy we own- was on the floor, bomb style.

I have been down there several times since the explosion occurred and I haven’t stopped to clean it up.  I have discovered something…  having a clean basement is not all that it is cracked up to be (I know Tim is shaking his head with disagreement).  The kids have found all sorts of things that they haven’t seen in months.  They have occupied themselves playing new games and using their imaginations in new ways. 

hmmm…  how long will it stay that way?  Probably as long as it helps the keep the peace upstairs.  I would rather the mess be down there than up here.  I would rather the noise be down there too. 

So, who needs a clean basement (should I stretch it and say clean rooms or house) anyway?