Bathroom Rules

Dear Cameron, Courtnie & Colton,
(yes Colton, this does include you)

Summer has arrived! I know that you all enjoy the time sleeping in and all the fun things we take you to do, almost on a daily basis. We also enjoy taking you to do these fun and adventurous outings. The smiles on your faces certainly bring smiles to ours.

But with summer comes a few other things like the Summer Reading Program and extra chores. Afterall, the time it takes me to drive you here and there and back again or to take you on these family-fun field trips, it takes away my time to get my everyday household duties accomplished. Rest assured, I have help. You! This summer you will take over cleaning the bathrooms. In order to help you out on this new task, I have come up with some rules to help make the cleaning process a bit easier. Hopefully if you follow these rules it will make your time cleaning the bathrooms a bit easier. I cannot guarantee you will love the beloved chore of cleaning the bathrooms as I do, but following these few rules might make the bathroom cleaning process faster and a bit smoother.

Bathroom Rules:
1. Boys, please oh please, aim for the toilet. Not the outside or sides or even in front of the toilet, but the INSIDE. Oh heavens, this would be much appreciated. If you need something to aim at, I wouldn't mind putting a bowl of cheerios in the bathroom so that you can throw one in and have your sword fights with the cheerio. Whatever your method, just direct all your attention to the center of the toilet and if you happen to accidentally drip something on the toilet, please wipe that off. I beg you both.

2. When brushing your teeth, let's try not to splatter toothpaste all over the mirror. How you manage to do this is beyond my understanding. However, if you happen to do this, it would be okay to take a moment and wipe it off.

3. Speaking of toothpaste... can we also try not to squirt this blue, sticky mess all over the counter? It's also okay to clean this up if you happen to make a mess.

4. When you have used up the roll of toilet paper, go ahead and put a new roll on. I know it's sometimes hard to reach directly across the toilet to the counter where the toilet paper rolls are, but it's really only an arms reach. I've heard that people get frustrated when they use the potty only to find there is no toilet paper. Let's not upset our guests or family members by leaving them with nothing to wipe with.

5. While replacing the roll of toilet paper with a new one, make sure the toilet paper rolls OVER the top. It's just an unwritten, understood rule that you must learn. Toilet paper should always roll over the top, never from underneath. Need a visual? Just ask. I wouldn't mind teaching you this handy little trick.

6. When you use the potty and you make foul smells, please courtesy flush. Go ahead flush the source of odor before allowing the fumes to completely take over the bathroom and seep into the hallway. When you are done, please courtesy spray. There is a can of air freshener on the back of the toilet. Just give the bathroom a few quick sprays. Yes, we know that you have been in there when we walk in and smell fresh linen, but its definitely better than the alternative!

7. If the bathroom door is locked, someone must not want you in there. Do not pick the lock to irritate your siblings. The person who picked the lock and the person who yells at the top of their lungs will both get in trouble. Do you really want to see Mom get mad and spend your afternoon being given evil eyes? Surely not.

8. When showering and you use the soap completely or have finished off bottles of body wash or shampoo, go ahead and replace them. Do not leave the empty bottles in the shower. Singing in the shower is still permitted but be aware - Mom might get the camera and use that moment for blogging =)

9. After bathing, kindly take all of your belongings and put them away. This includes hair ribbons and pony-tail holders, socks and shoes, and all articles of clothing. When taking them out of the bathroom, make sure that none of them accidentally drop to the floor. If they do, it's okay, just pick it up. Once you have these things in your room, put them up or in the dirty clothes hamper, not your floor. And bathroom towels do not belong on the floor, pick them up as well.

10. Always, my dear children, please wash your hands when you are done using the bathroom. You cannot even imagine the amount of germs you spread when you do not wash your hands.

I love you all,
Mom