Mason The Problem Solver

Twice lately Mason has tried to come up with a "better" solution than what I've suggested in hopes to avoid work. A few days ago I read about a method that supposedly helps parents train children to put their toys away. In theory, you explain to the child that everything has its own place and that the toys prefer being in their homes versus on the floor - or wherever they happen to be instead of in their proper place. I noticed that Mason had some toys on the floor in the kitchen, and I said, "Mason - these toys aren't in their homes. Why don't you put them away so they'll be where they belong?" He said, "See this kitchen? Let's pretend it's Branson and these toys are on vacation." Whoever wrote that book hasn't met Mason. Today I told him to get a pen for me so I could write out my grocery list. He was busy playing but suggested I use his safety scissors, which were right in front of me, to cut letters out of paper to spell out what I needed. I could use tape (that was also beside me) to adhere the cut out letters to a piece of printer paper...also right beside me. Seemed logical to him. He didn't have to quit playing and my list would be a work of art!