Dancing on the Edge

Mellow to Crazy in the Blink of an Eye


The kids and I were having a pretty mellow day. Everything was clicking right along without a hiccup which is a rarity to be sure. The laundry was going, the house was straightened up (and mostly staying that way), kitchen cleaned, email checked, kids happily playing with each other (and yes, the workout had been completed hours before this. Go me!). Then there, on my computer screen, was a message from my friend, Shawna. I answered and asked how how she was. Not good, was the reply. She was having pain and her doctor recommended she go to the ER. She asked if I might be willing to watch her three boys for a bit. Let's see...pain, ER...kind of a no brainer; of course I would be. Within the hour her husband was with her and the kids were with me.

WOW. Five kids equals a whole lot of energy! As I watched them swarming all over the play equipment in the yard I couldn't help but laugh - they looked like an ant colony...busy busy busy. Every where I looked there was movement. Again, let me say: WOW!

They played outside for a bit and then wanted to do art. After that it was playing with the inside toys for a bit and then back outside for more playing. I broke out the Otter Pops and everyone took a popsicle break. Then it was back inside to play. Sure, they all had their moments but mostly it went well. Two and a half hours in, Dakota arrived home. I met her in the driveway and said "Thank you for not wanting a lot of kids." She laughed.

There was more playing and then George arrived to pick the kids up and take them back to the hospital with him. Shawna was still waiting for some tests before they would know anything. The word "appendicitis" was bandied about. Time will tell.

I'm exhausted. I have no idea how people with more than two kids do this. Heck - some days I don't know how people with any kids do this. Five little bodies running around here with only one adult. It was an insane three hours but I am so glad I could help.

Here are some pictures: