party of five

I always say that I don’t like OPKs (other people’s kids)(a term coined by bitetherabbit back in her blogging days), but the truth is, I do like kids. I really should just admit to it. It’s easy to make a blanket statement about kids at large, as a group, saying that I do not like them, but when I meet the little goobers individually, I can’t help but like them. What is happening to me and my stone-coldness I was so proud of?!?

We did some respite foster care for friends of ours, from Thursday morning to Sunday evening, to give them a bit of a break. They took off for a much-needed romantic getaway across the border and we had a crazy weekend with an 11-month-old, a 19-month-old, a three-year-old, a five-year-old, and an 11-year-old. Plus a 20-month-old for two of the days. It was nuts. But the kids had a lot if fun, and that’s all that matters.

I was really quite impressed with how well Preston and Kesler handled little E. They were kind to him and didn’t once beat on him or jump on him or steal toys from him. And they behaved so well in general. They just blew me away. And compared to E, the “big” boys just seemed so BIG. *sigh*

Friday went really well, as both my girls were in school, and especially well when all three babies were sleeping and it was just me and J. It only lasted half an hour, but it was blissful. Noah had the day off and did all the school pick-ups and made my life a whole lot easier. Saturday was … a gong show. I don’t want to think about it. But we survived. Just barely.

The nights were long and sleepless, but I was mentally prepared for it, so it was manageable. It helped a lot that I didn’t have to leave the house from Thursday evening to Sunday morning. Noah did my cleaning job for me, and drove the girls to their activities on Saturday. Not driving helps with my sanity a LOT. I like driving, I love road trips, but I HATE driving in the city of Saskatoon. It is horribly laid out and the drivers are menaces. A day without driving here is a good day.

I haven’t dealt with formula in quite a while, as Preston hated it the few times I had to give it to him, so I’d never seen one of these little contraptions. It is the coolest. It holds three servings of pre-measured formula, and it has a spout that fits into a bottle.

I once saw someone comment somewhere about breastfeeding not being convenient, and I laughed. What is more convenient than something that is ready-made, pre-measured, always warm, and always with you? Nothing. But this little contraption came close. I didn’t have to get up in the night to measure water or formula. I had a bottle pre-measured with room-temperature filtered water, and all I had to do was dump and mix the formula. It sure made my nights easier than I thought they’d be. Add that to the fact that I put E’s playpen at the end of my bed so I didn’t even have to get out of bed at night. Pretty rad.

I lined the kids up for a group shot on Sunday morning when they were all in their Sunday best. I wish I could show you the photo (I can’t because of Ministry privacy rules about the kids), because ALL THE KIDS WERE HAPPY AND LOOKING AT THE CAMERA. ON THE FIRST SHOT. Miracles, people.

On Sunday evening after dinner at the in-laws’, we started setting up the Christmas tree. First we read the day’s Advent reading, and then we got to it. The girls were STOKED. And Preston liked throwing the ornaments around.

It was a perfectly relaxing way to end an insane weekend. And the girls GOT ALONG. I had to mention that, just in case it never happens again. It was blissful.

And now, just so I don’t end this post on a sappy note, I’ll let you in on a little conversation Noah and I had last night while I was building the Christmas tree …

Noah: I knew I married you for a reason. I needed someone to do my taxes and make things pretty. And you needed someone to help you with all these kids.

Me: I didn’t need help with my kid.

Noah: No, I mean all these kids we have now.

Me: I wouldn’t have all these kids if it wasn’t for you.

Noah: WHY DO YOU HAVE TO START FIGHTS?

Me: *evil grin*

Noah: You look like the grinch over there with the light shining in your face and your evil smile and your heart that is 10 sizes too small.

I wouldn’t want you all to think I’d gone soft or something.