A day in the life...

They were both worried. When they had heard that Eric and I had offered to both of them Laura and Debbie almost said 'No way'. What had we done to worry them so? We'd volunteered to watch their kids. Neither Eric or I thought anything of it but we hadn't really thought of the fact that we'd have six kids ranging in age from 9 months to 4 years. Only then did we both have a moment of reconsideration.

But oh were we all wrong! This is what the life as a kid should be. Will and Walker were thrilled to have the house full of their friends and Will was particularly eager to have fun and show off his toys.

So we entertained A & N, brother and sister, and M & S, also brother and sister. Oh what fun!

The kids did a great job playing together in the front room and Will's room. I was so glad to have most of Will's toys finally put to use. In fact I think some toys had never been played with until today!



After they played for a while the fighting about toys started - so we shifted the fun from the toys to lunch. It was fun to watch each kid eat. Each kid ate differently and it was a relief to see that Will wasn't the only picky one! Lunch was the good ole' standby of peanut butter & honey sandwiches plus fishy crackers and fruit cups. Someone once told me that after having kids I'd no longer be able to eat peanut butter (one of my faves). That hasn't changed- but my desire for a fruit cup no longer exists!

The best part of lunch was listening to M & N, who are the same age, talk to each other across the table. They know each other from our playgroup but this was the first time that I've seen them interact in a pseudo-adult conversation. Will and A just kind of stared at each other.

The post-lunchtime activity one was hilarious to watch! Eric and I had made shortbread cookies while they were playing before lunch and after lunch we decorated them. Just as each kid eats differently each one has their own artistic flair. Some ate their cookies, maybe they were completely dissatisfied with their work. Others dumped as many sprinkles on them as possible. Will, well he licked the big red circles before putting them on. Quite a pretty picture.



S and Walker kept themselves pretty well entertained. They sure seemed to communicate well given the fact that neither of them really speak, especially Walker. While the others were frosting (aka eating) cookies S and Walker were taking a nap together. Walker in the swing in his room and S in the crib. I wasn't sure that it would work, but it did. Of course that gave me lots of confidence to put into action the plan to have Will and Walker share rooms now.

The kids all seemed both happy and sad to see their parents arrive. I took pleasure in the fact that everyone had a good time - and of course I feel all ready to do it again!

At the end of the day THIS is how the boys' room should look: