Was It Worth It?

The big kids are settling into their school schedule nicely and it is very strange for me to have two of them gone all day long. However, I am learning to cope with the time. I do still have one little thing that hinders me from throwing a little party everyone morning at nine a.m. His name is Hayden and he is a piece of work these days.
He started the school year out by asking every twenty minutes "When we pick up bubby and sissy?" He has finally realized that they are gone for the day and seems to do very well entertaining himself. However, you can't miss where this kid has been in the house. As I took 45 minutes this morning to get on my elliptical I could then follow his trail around the house.

This would be his trail of toys from the living room into the bedroom. The usual mess of trains, cars and Legos.
Following the the trail into my bedroom, I actually got to catch him in the act. Using all of the pillows from my bed he made a little fort and of course filled it with yet more toys.
And last but not least in between fort making and train playing he must have got thirsty, very thirsty, since he has four glasses out and all of them have something different in them and their very own twisty straw. Maybe we can classify this as his first "tea party".

So in order for me to have a 45 minute workout, Hayden has now made at least an hours worth of cleaning work for me to do. Was the work out worth it? I am not sure. I will let you know when I get to the bottom of this mess.