StevenLaura

My mother raised five children under the roof of a small bungalow in my home town.

I now sit in that same bungalow, sold to my brother several years ago, and am learning to appreciate all that my mother did. And I am realizing the truth of the statement I heard years ago, "One is hard, two a transition, three and they out-number you, but four or more? It stops mattering after that."

I am watching my brother's three kids, plus mine, until he returns from "across the pond" in a little under two weeks.

Highlights from the day:
We went to get ice cream at S's favorite StillH2O ice cream joint (Family and Finks, you know which one I'm talking about! :) ) After grabbing several "child size" ice creams (each the equivalent of a quadruple scoop at any other ice cream store), S and the older girls took off walking to a nearby park while E and I brought the car. S may write later about that adventure, and the trail they left on the way.

Six pairs of sticky arms and legs later, we ATTEMPTED to clean up the carnage in a near by rest room, and set the four loose on the park. S's 6 year old cousin showed up, and we got to chat with Uncle R while the little girls and Cousin I ran around the park together. (I admit, I looked at my husband's six year old cousin, and my six year old niece, and played some mental matchmaker.)

You know what was weird? It was easier to babysit those five children in the park than it's EVER been to babysit just E in a park. Do a head-count every minute or so, ask them to watch out for each other, and have them play mostly together, and you can just stand in one place and hold adult conversation while the organized chaos erupts around you.

We came home to baths (before dinner to wash off the rest of the evidence asap), home-made pizza, and then the most chaotic devos I've ever led. The chaotic part was my fault. I told "Thing 1" (oldest kid) that she could show off her newly acquired mandolin skills by starting devos off with "Mary Had a Little Lamb." I know it's not REALLY a "devo" type song, but it's the only one she knows, and I wanted to encourage her new instrument, so I said sure.

Then "Thing 2" wisely pointed out that if "Thing 1" got an instrument, the rest of the girls should, too. Since I was already starting off devos in such an unorthodox manner, I agreed that for the first few songs, every child and adult that wanted could have an instrument. Thing 1 played the mandolin, of course. Thing 2 played the child's drums (and started us out by setting a beat for each song) and Thing 3 played the child's flute. E danced and generally looked (alternatively) extremely pleased and then overwhelmed, and S played his recorder. We ended with a "quiet song" (I took over the mandolin and everyone else just sang) which greatly distressed the exuberant Thing 2, who thought that she should still be playing with me. Then we prayed and sent the youngest off to bed. No Bible lesson tonight, but then again, I think I kind of killed that when I allowed organized chaos to reign.

Now Thing 3 and E are tucked away, and Thing 1 and 2, after being reminded a couple of times that they "had to be quiet so that the little girls could sleep" are quietly playing in the living room at my feet, in their PJs, almost completely ready for the quickly approaching bedtime. Dishes are done, baths are done, and lots of sweet moments have occurred.

Sweet Moments:
1 -- Thing 3 gave Thing 2 her cone after Thing 2 lost her cone on the run from the ice cream shop to the park.

2 -- Things 1, 2, & 3 all greeted E with the biggest, best hugs when they were picked up from daycare mid-afternoon. E, in return, gave them the biggest, sweetest hugs, and even some kisses. You'd think they'd known each other forever.

3 -- Thing 1 made E a book about water, because she knew it was one of E's favorite things. "I was going to make it about dogs, but I just made this one instead."

4 -- At bed time Thing 2 searched the house for Thing 3's favorite blanket (Thing 1 found that she was sitting on it).

5 -- Thing 1 & 2 sat around my computer screen looking at a world map, learning the geography of where their parents were heading. Then they successful SHARED a one-player computer game, no fighting.

6 -- I learned that telling Thing 2 to "get everything you need for a shower" will result in Thing 2 getting undressed, but completely forgetting to grab shampoo, conditioner, wash cloth, soap, or towel. One must list off all those items for her, and then check twice before starting the water, or the shower will just be wet. (Not a "sweet" moment, per say, but very funny. Reminded me of a good Bill Cosby stand-up routine.)

7 -- Thing 3 prayed for her mommy and daddy and safe travel, in barely comprehensible three-year-old mumble. But the sentiment was felt and the prayer was sweet.

So far things are going well. I'm enjoying my job. I think mostly because I have S's help. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, after S goes "to work" for the day.

C & K, this blog is mostly for you. Let me know if you get it!