Taxi Wash

Bath time at our house has always been a struggle. Ainsley wants to take a bath with the Ian, but Ian wants to go solo. Or, Ian wants to take a shower, Ainsley wants a bath and we only have time for one water event. Ainsley dislikes showers, and she despises having her hair washed. Ian would usually be happy if we let him float in the tub until the water is chilled - no washing, please. The list of conflicts goes on and on.

Tonight I felt like a super genius. The kids were being "taxi machines". Not to be confused with taxi cabs, "taxi machines" are the builders of taxi cabs. And they can talk. So my two taxi machines were walking around the house pretending to build taxis when I suggested it was time for the taxi wash. They arrived naked in the bathroom, emptied their gas tanks, and drove into. . .the shower!!!!

I gave them each a buffing cloth and poured gentle cleansing wash for them to do their headlights (faces). Each took turns rinsing under the gentle spray. Then we loaded their super duper sudsing sponges with heavy duty auto wash (ocean breeze and sweet pea scented) for them to scrub their doors (arms), hoods (chests & tummies), tail lights (what else. . .rear ends), axles (legs), and tires (feet). They really got into it. Then it was time for a good roof scrub (hair), which they also managed to do themselves, including rinsing each other to make sure all the suds were gone.

No arguments, no whining, no fighting. . .it was a work of art.

Why is it that their creativity and my brilliance don't coincide like this more often? Perhaps it is because they are not always in such a cooperative mood; or maybe most nights at 8:00 p.m. all the stellar ideas have been spent on the earlier part of the day and I am fresh out. I just hope that when they are older they remember evenings like this and realize that their childhood has had some great moments.