I've never been one to plunk the kids in front of the TV just to keep them occupied while I get ready in the morning, make dinner or finish some other task. I figure they can keep themselves busy with books, art supplies or toys.

Because Gary leaves for work in the morning before the kids are usually up and I'm still getting ready, I admit I've been tempted to just have the TV on all morning so the kids can park themselves in front of it while I take care of the other kids and finish getting ready myself. In front of the TV they don't get into as many arguments about someone grabbing their toy, not taking turns or not sharing. They stay quiet and out of the way during the morning rush.

As a treat, I let the kids watch PBS on Friday morning before we leave. But after this morning, I'm rethinking my TV policy.

Lucas and Benjamin were up especially early this morning. Once they got dressed and brushed their teeth and Ben ate his breakfast before school, they decided they would play in the basement. I checked on them a few times and they were doing nicely with the play kitchen.

At 7:45, Grace had just woken up and was getting herself dressed upstairs so I went downstairs to tell the boys to start cleaning up. We needed to leave in less than 15 minutes. I thought if everyone were ready early, we could go outside and hang out on the porch on this sunny morning.

That idea was quickly scrapped when I got a look at the floor. There was orange dots all over the carpeting. Lucas, who turns 3 next month, had opened up the bottle of waterproof orange paint that sits by the easel -- it's his favorite color!!! --- and gotten some on his hands and his feet, which explained the dots of orange splattered about.

Of course at this time, Lucas had to go to the bathroom, Grace needed help getting the strap on her dress done and the carpet needed to be cleaned immediately so the color wouldn't set in while we are gone.

I grabbed the carpet cleaner, spraying every orange dot I could see, and Benjamin helped Grace with her clothes. I think I got all the splatters all out, except for the ones that are now on my khaki pants. Well, at least they match the orange shirt I'm wearing.

Now ... I'm out of carpet cleaner, ready to hide the paints and thinking using the TV as a baby sitter isn't such a bad idea after all.