Noises continued. . . .

I discovered a noise-harnessing tactic today: Since the kids are going to be noisy anyway, I may as well let them use BOTH vacuum cleaners at the same time and as a result the rug, hearth and dining room look much cleaner now. I said/griped to the girls that I was sick with a cold and sore throat. Lissy gave her new solution for my aches and pains, "You need to go see Dr. Daybid" (Dr. David--our chiropractor). I grumbled that what I needed was this house cleaned up. It was a wreck. Matt worked until noon yesterday and then had somewhere to be from 1:30-7:30. Today I got the girls ready for church, he got Micah and himself ready, and then they all went to church. I stayed home (IN THE SILENCE!!!!!) and rested/napped. So no housework had been done for 2-3 days.
Here I must brag on Camie. She can be so helpful when she chooses. Apparently she heard my griping and offered to put away dishes. She talked Lissy into sweeping. So while I was upstairs getting Micah in playclothes I could hear them singing some made-up song as they worked. I glanced down and saw Lissy with the full-size broom and stand-up dustpan "sweeping" for me. Camie got the top rack of the dishwasher unloaded, I think she fed the dog, rearranged some bottles in the door of the fridge, and started to bring extra groceries out of the laundry room into the pantry (I stopped her on that one.) She asked if she could vacuum, but I told her the rug was covered in toys. After she picked those up we got the vacuum out and that child did some cleaning! I held the cord for her and told Micah and Lissy to move, but she did all the work. Lissy wanted a turn, so I let her vacuum up ashed off the hearth. I turned around and saw Camie dragging the big shop-vac out as she informed me she was going to do the floor. My first reaction was "No", but then I realized it would save me from sweeping (which hurts my back and hips). So while the girls sucked up every ash and crumb in sight I was able to finish cleaning up the kitchen. Micah even got a turn vacuuming, mainly sticking his hand over the end of the hose.
I'm (sometimes slowly) learning that although toddlers/preschoolers can make constant messes, they can be wonderful at cleaning them. They did for me in 30 minutes what would've worn me out for half-a-day afterward.
So for the times I can't retreat to the bathroom/bedroom/van I guess I can get out the vacuum cleaners and let the have some fun! It's actually nearly as refreshing as some quiet.