thoughts from a survivor...

of course, i use that word loosely...but it did feel a bit like war with the 7, 4, 1 year olds by the fifth day of taking care of them 24 hours a day. props to moms who deal with that for years and years...and props to teachers who give the moms (and babysitters) a break during the day (home schooling moms are nuts!)

so...here's so random things i took away from the experience.

DAY 1: 7 year olds can be very sure of themselves. Within 10 minutes of my arrival, I was getting told by this lovely 2nd grade girl that she was going to be in charge of us (her 2 brothers and me) and it was going to be hard for her to take care of all of us. I tried to reassure her that I would attempt to be as little trouble as possible;o)

DAY 2: I think I finally got the final push I needed to ausition for American Idol the next time it rolls near the ATL..teh recommendation from the same expert 7 year old...I think my rendition of "twinkle, twinkle" will knock Simon's socks off!

DAY 3: 7 year old playmate flirting is not much different from 20something's party flirting...first, there's the recognition of who they are: "Hey, I know you, you go to my school." Then...a little sarcastic confirming response "I know who you are." Next...girl exposing need of recognition "Do you see that garden (mound of basball field dirt with dug-up weeds stuck in it) I made over there?" And...boy exposing need of being affirmed that he's capable "Wait...oh, I see it, I found it, there it is." And of course...it all led to a game of hide-and-seek (I won't even bother explaining that obvious metaphor!)

DAY 4: "If I be popular, I tell all kids they are great like me." ~the 4 year old. Oh, how sweet they are at this age! Anyways...what a lesson I learned from this. Although there's a little pride stuck in there...there is goodness at heart and a simplistic caring for others. I want to tell all the kids they are great!

DAY 5: Unending whiney crying is the worst kind...I feel sorry for God's ears after listening to me for years! Oh...what I would have done if the 1 year old would have just come up to me and touched my knee to get me to pick him up instead of whining...Lord, I'll try to give you a tap next time instead of driving you nuts with the whining;o)

Man...parent's must learn something new constantly...I know I did!