The Adventures of 4 Kids

There are just those weeks when all you can think about doing is survive. I have to say I was a little nervous about this week for a while before it finally happened. I babysat two little boys. One was 6 and the other was 2. Two two-year-olds and two little boys seemed like that would be quite the household. I also have a problem with double scheduling myself. I tell someone I can do something without looking at my calendar. A habit I must rid myself of one of these days. So, come Monday morning I realized that not only did I have 2 extra kids, but I scheduled myself to go walking with a friend. So, I loaded up all 4 kids into the car and we headed over to the mall. Insane, I know. The 2-year-olds went into the double stroller and Emily kept up with the 6-year-old really well. At the end though, Emily got tired. So, I put her in the double stroller and put Meredith in the sling. Luckily, we didn't go too far like that. We played at the play place in the mall. Going from 2 kids to 4 was something different. I'd just go through the rounds of keeping tabs on them. 1 kid, 2 kids, 3 kids, 4 kids. 10 seconds later, 1 kid, 2 kids, 3, kids, .....where is she? Panic. Panic. Panic. Whew! There she is. 1 kids, 2 kids, 3 kids, ...alright, where'd he go? (You get the idea.)

Tuesday we had a playdate which I was thankful for because the 6-year-old wanted constant entertainment and I was hard pressed to entertain a 6-year-old while doing all the normal stuff I do everyday and watch the other kids. Of course, I needed graham crackers for the playdate, so we headed to Safeway. There I was pleasantly surprised with 4 well-behaved kids. Sort of knocked my socks off you might say (not that I'd be wearing socks in Tucson in July :) because Meredith is always TERRIBLE at the grocery store. If I tighten the strap on the seat so I don't think she could possibly get out of that she finds a way and grabs everything in her sight and rips apart anything in her grasp. At the playgroup I was finally able to sit back, relax and get the binding on the quilt done that I've wanted to finish for 2 years now.

Wednesday was one of my easier days since we stayed here and had a friend over instead. (Much easier to just stay at home with 4 kids let me tell ya.)

Thursday was our playgroup. We sort of headed in the wrong direction for 20 minutes. Where my brain was that day, I don't know. So, an hour later, we arrived VERY late for the playgroup. It was still fun to get out of the house and see all of our friends though. The playgroup is getting BIG! Such a change from when we first started and it was me and 1 or 2 other people and we were THRILLED to get a 3rd. Now, we at least have 3 and if I have it in my Living Room we have it packed. And it's a good sized Living Room too.

Friday was my half day because the boys were with their dad that morning. I took the girls walking and playing at the mall again. Sooooo much easier looking after only 2. There was no panicking, or at least it was kept minimal.

Today, I really just want to relax, but I've got to get ready for Sunday!