What to do when....

What do you do when your family is feeling out of whack from travels, and the kids are clinging to you like cellophane, hanging from every limb, yet there is a very expensive grass-fed beef roast that has been thawing in your fridge for days and you really MUST cook it now?

Solution:
First, call the troops together for a family meeting, ask what needs to be done to set up a fancy surprise dinner for daddy (for when he arrives home from work). Let the ideas flow! (some ideas may include, but are not limited to, sweeping the floor, washing the windows, wiping the table, choosing a fancy table cloth, and lighting candles). Enthusiastically ask each child which of those things they are going to do (who doesn't love to put together a surprise for Daddy? Also, what 3 year old would turn down the opportunity to wash with cleaner all by herself?). Then put in your hands for a "Team last name" cheer, and off you go! Mom turns some Louis Prima music on and the work begins with a silly dance. Then...

One washes the table.

Another washes the dishes.

Even the baby gets in the spirit! (she really did grab the broom and begin to sweep on her own)

Mom is now free to prepare the roast and pop it in the oven.

Don't forget the wine for mom! This is really a must.

Voila- fancy feast, no fuss. Cheers! (on a side note, we did originally have a fancy table cloth set, but the baby kept pulling it down. She won.)