It has been a while since I added the dramas of my life to the world wide web! Life seems to complicate my desire to do everything and nothing at once. I have included pictures of my latest family fun.
We (my family of six) were given the opportunity to care for my little nephew and niece for a week. With about 24 hours notice, this was a last ditch effort by their parents to make their previously planned vacation cruise. When their original arrangements for their children and four other options were exhausted, they contacted us, and my husband graciously accepted. To some this might seem offensive to know that I was so low on the list, but then again you don't know me very well if you think I was even slightly surprised. I am quite open about my inadequacies with children. I love my own flesh and blood and can't imagine life without them, and I find great joy in watching others enjoy their own children, but I'm glad to tell anyone and everyone that I'm maxed out with the four precious spirits that call me Mom!
Having said all this I do find these little guys quite cute and very flexible considering their flight across the US with their aunt, who passed them off to my husband at the airport, who just happened to be returning from business in San Francisco the same day after a three day absence. Its not every day you pick-up luggage and two additional children in baggage claim.
Having cousins is always fun and my children were so excited to welcome theirs for the visit. Saturdays arrival went well, Sunday church took some extra snacks and quiet toys, but went well, Monday Family Home Evening was fun, as noted in the second picture......Then Tuesday morning the dam broke and all the water and then some flowed (quite literally!)
My husband would love to give the details of discovering his nephew throwing-up all over our basement sofa in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but I'll leave that to your imagination. Needless to say this altered the rest of their visit. The poor little guy was miserable one moment and bounding with energy the next, as only a sick three year old can be. I did lots of laundry and avoided potentially staining foods as the week progressed and he continue on with his unpredictable pattern of becoming sick.
Because their parents are readers of this blog I will be kind in simply saying I was not sad to send them home Saturday afternoon. I love my nieces and nephews, but I like them a lot better when they travel with their parents!
As an only child I have made leaps and bounds personally to be a mother to four beautiful children, and after this little experiment , I feel better about my decision to stop there.
