So awhile ago, J left to go bobbing about the sea on a boat again. Not for long, just for a bit. Such is the Navy life. Wouldn't you know it, he'd been gone just a day when I got a call saying there was an emergency need for two Bananas to find a place to sleep. Four kids under five, on my own, 7 months pregnant can't be that hard, right? Right? ....hello?...... Right.
So they came. In their pajamas, just in time to meet us, wonder what they'd gotten into, and go to sleep. They've been playing and sleeping and eating and reading with us since. After spending today at a farm/playground AND a shopping trip through a packed commissary with the lot of them, I can honestly say these things:
1) Ok, friends with large families, ok. I always thought maybe you were being a little unfriendly, a little sensitive. But no, really, it gets super obnoxious really fast when every other random stranger in public has some comment or invasive question about the kids you are hauling. I mean, seriously. Call me crazy again and I will show some crazy TO you, people!
2) The question "are they all yours?" is particularly common and particularly awkward when, no, they aren't- but, well, kind of- and anyways they are listening and probably would not love being pointed out as Not Belonging seven times a day. So I'm going with "aren't they sweet?" as an answer. And then just laughing as they look at my belly, and the baby, and then the belly, and just stand there doing math in their heads and looking confused.
3) There needs to be a minivan version of shopping carts.
4) Four Under Five are not that hard. Even pregnant, even J-less. In fact,
5) It's pretty fun. There are a lot of extra giggles around here. Lots of them are mine.
6) There may be nothing more inspiring than the way children can instantly accept and love each other. What is wrong with adults that we can't do that?
7) I'm tired.
In fact, I'm too tired to make it to 10. Let's assume it would have been something funny and/or insightful. And on that note, I will make like my kids and the bananas, put on some pajamas, and go to bed. There will be adventures waiting and giggling to do in the morning, I'm sure.
So they came. In their pajamas, just in time to meet us, wonder what they'd gotten into, and go to sleep. They've been playing and sleeping and eating and reading with us since. After spending today at a farm/playground AND a shopping trip through a packed commissary with the lot of them, I can honestly say these things:
1) Ok, friends with large families, ok. I always thought maybe you were being a little unfriendly, a little sensitive. But no, really, it gets super obnoxious really fast when every other random stranger in public has some comment or invasive question about the kids you are hauling. I mean, seriously. Call me crazy again and I will show some crazy TO you, people!
2) The question "are they all yours?" is particularly common and particularly awkward when, no, they aren't- but, well, kind of- and anyways they are listening and probably would not love being pointed out as Not Belonging seven times a day. So I'm going with "aren't they sweet?" as an answer. And then just laughing as they look at my belly, and the baby, and then the belly, and just stand there doing math in their heads and looking confused.
3) There needs to be a minivan version of shopping carts.
4) Four Under Five are not that hard. Even pregnant, even J-less. In fact,
5) It's pretty fun. There are a lot of extra giggles around here. Lots of them are mine.
6) There may be nothing more inspiring than the way children can instantly accept and love each other. What is wrong with adults that we can't do that?
7) I'm tired.
In fact, I'm too tired to make it to 10. Let's assume it would have been something funny and/or insightful. And on that note, I will make like my kids and the bananas, put on some pajamas, and go to bed. There will be adventures waiting and giggling to do in the morning, I'm sure.
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