Chores, chores and more chores

The picking up toys battle never seems to end at our house.  I had seen an idea many times on Pinterest about a toy ransom box.  Unpicked up toys get put in the box and the only way to get them out was to complete a chore.   I put off putting it into action because I had dreams of getting all creative with it and printing off chore slips to pick from and a cut decoration for the box.  Last week I bit the bullet and put it into action.  I warned Thomas and Michael that toys left out would get put in my box until they did a chore to earn it back.

The first night I gathered a few things for my box including Michael's favorite hat. He was none to happy when we went to leave the next day and he couldn't take it with him.  We got home and Michael discovered he vacuum.  

Later that night while picking up toys, I gently reminded them that what was left out would go into my box and they would have to do a chore to get it back out.  I told Michael he should pick up his crocs and he said "It's okay mommy, I like doing chores!"  We will see how long that lasts!  In the meantime my floors have never been this clean!