Here’s a simple addition fact that just occurred to me: 1 mom + 5 kids does not equal 6. Most of the time it comes out to a lot more than that. Somehow kids seem to multiply. Where there are a few kids, a few more will show up. Now, I’m not complaining. I love the fact that we have lots of friends, and after 8 years of being the only family members in the area, we finally have family nearby (and not only family, but a cousin!).
This week, I get to experience being the mom of 6 while I watch my sister’s 1-year-old daughter, Vanessa (Andrea’s photographing our cousin’s wedding in California this weekend). So far so good….Vanessa may be a little clingy (as much as she LOVES her favorite Aunt Chef, she misses her Mom and Dad) but we’re having fun. Apple had a moment of jealousy this morning when all of the other kids were focusing on entertaining Vanessa instead of him. Noodle reassured him that he’s still The Man by taking him down stairs for some one-on-one time.
I decided that it was a little too risky to try a trip to the library this morning with 3-under-5, so we stayed at home. I don’t spend many mornings at home…I’m usually either at the Resource Center with the kids, scrapbooking (even when I do it at my house, I’m not really “here!”), or running errands. This year is busy, but so far pleasantly so. I do three different kid-swaps with friends during the week so that I have a chance to volunteer in the elementary school once a week and get out of the house by myself one day a week. I love it! Of course, given the “swap” part of it, that also means that I have a few extra kids with me a couple times a week.
When Taco was a baby, Peanut Butter made a very interesting comment to a friend (who had one child) who had asked how we survived with three children. PB said, “Have you ever noticed that one child takes 100% of your time and energy? Well, 2 or 3 (or 5??) kids can’t take up any more of your time and energy, right? 100% is all you have.” Ok, those are not his exact words, but hopefully you get the picture. The effort is not in trying to find more time and energy but in learning how to manage, share, and divide.
So now on to the pictures! First, we’ve got a picture of Reese and Ethan waiting at Reese’s bus stop yesterday. When I walk to the elementary school with Ethan and Apple, he is often mistaken for one of mine. They sure do look like they could be related, don’t they? And next, I was trying out my new birthday-present-camera at the park the other day and caught this cute kid coming up the slide.. ;)
Here is a very exciting picture for those of you who know about Noodle’s phobia of dogs (Nana, this picture is especially for you). Our neighbor friend, Eli (the bunny’s owner….but that’s a different story!) brought over his new puppy, Canela. The kids loved her, even Noodle.
One last thought, since nap time is about over….Dontcha just love it when you take a refreshing sip of juice and find yourself staring into a dirty cup?? I must have grabbed someone else’s breakfast cup of milk by mistake…Gotta love being a mom. I kept drinking.
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