I was expecting this to be a day of unusual occurrances. I thought something profound was going to happen or be revealed to me. Well, it was. I realized that three grandchildren can take out one Grammie. They wear me out! How did I manage to rear my three girls? How did I keep up with them? The three grandchildren I had in my home today are the champions of divide and conquer. The minute I go to help one, the other two go in completely different directions. I get one settled and the other two are discovering uncharted territory in another area of the house. Mind you, I have two bedrooms closed off to them and the bathroom door is also shut to prevent catastrophies like toys and shoes disappearing down the toilet. When Maggie can reach the doorknob I am in big trouble. The fish tank is duct taped shut so that no plastic frogs or Matchbox cars end up in with the fish. Goldfish don't appreciate interior design. The cats are smarter than me; they disappeared for a few hours.
I think it will be safe, so I let the kids pile every pillow they can find on the den floor. This is perfect for jumping, but jumping becomes diving head-first, and then flipping over, and then I'm running and shouting to prevent permanent damage from happening to their precious little bodies. I am still pretty fast, but I wonder how much longer I will be able to outrun them...Gavin informed me today that he is faster than me....which he isn't but it won't be much longer before he is.
Adam wants a movie on in his room. Gavin is watching Curious George in the den..Maggie is going back and forth to see who is the most distracted and what she can take away from them. I am standing in the kitchen where I can monitor all areas of the house. I rarely sit down..I don't dare. That is when they really ARE faster than me and someone can get into trouble that I can't get them out of...I can only kiss the boo-boos and/or clean up the damage. I have to sneak off for a bathroom break or I will find Maggie in the middle of the kitchen table or on top of the counter. She can push the chairs around to climb wherever she wants to. And she never gives up trying.
I make some tea and continue to stand guard. Maggie has some lunch and goes in for a nap. Then the boys have lunch and I do too. I have put off the craft projects until after Maggie is sleeping...I need a little peace before I tackle glitter, glue, crayons, markers and whatever other wonders are in the big blue shoe box. It is not difficult with just two, but when you add a 19 month old into the mix, it is hands on and eyes wide open the whole time she is creating. She still likes to taste everything. The good part of it is that it keeps them occupied and out of trouble for an hour or more.
Gavin was still drawing when Maggie woke up. She was ready to go and sat right in her booster chair and started making line after line and tiny little circles on her paper. She let me help her glue on some dried Play-Doh beads. Then she picked them off again, observed how they stuck to her fingers, and shoved them in her mouth. I am so thankful for non-toxic toys.
Paul came home in the midst of the mess, and the kids all ran to greet him. He loves that and looks forward to it whenever grandkids are here. He brought home a 20 piece box of chicken nuggets.The kids sat down to eat. Jodi got here to pick up Gavin and Maggie a while later.
My great revelation for the day? THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY.
I think it will be safe, so I let the kids pile every pillow they can find on the den floor. This is perfect for jumping, but jumping becomes diving head-first, and then flipping over, and then I'm running and shouting to prevent permanent damage from happening to their precious little bodies. I am still pretty fast, but I wonder how much longer I will be able to outrun them...Gavin informed me today that he is faster than me....which he isn't but it won't be much longer before he is.
Adam wants a movie on in his room. Gavin is watching Curious George in the den..Maggie is going back and forth to see who is the most distracted and what she can take away from them. I am standing in the kitchen where I can monitor all areas of the house. I rarely sit down..I don't dare. That is when they really ARE faster than me and someone can get into trouble that I can't get them out of...I can only kiss the boo-boos and/or clean up the damage. I have to sneak off for a bathroom break or I will find Maggie in the middle of the kitchen table or on top of the counter. She can push the chairs around to climb wherever she wants to. And she never gives up trying.
I make some tea and continue to stand guard. Maggie has some lunch and goes in for a nap. Then the boys have lunch and I do too. I have put off the craft projects until after Maggie is sleeping...I need a little peace before I tackle glitter, glue, crayons, markers and whatever other wonders are in the big blue shoe box. It is not difficult with just two, but when you add a 19 month old into the mix, it is hands on and eyes wide open the whole time she is creating. She still likes to taste everything. The good part of it is that it keeps them occupied and out of trouble for an hour or more.
Gavin was still drawing when Maggie woke up. She was ready to go and sat right in her booster chair and started making line after line and tiny little circles on her paper. She let me help her glue on some dried Play-Doh beads. Then she picked them off again, observed how they stuck to her fingers, and shoved them in her mouth. I am so thankful for non-toxic toys.
Paul came home in the midst of the mess, and the kids all ran to greet him. He loves that and looks forward to it whenever grandkids are here. He brought home a 20 piece box of chicken nuggets.The kids sat down to eat. Jodi got here to pick up Gavin and Maggie a while later.
My great revelation for the day? THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY.
