3 kids...

No... I have not fallen off of the earth. I have been the mother to 3 children for the past several days... A "single" mommy at that! When Robbie and I were discussing our family and how many children we would have, we also had to take in to account how many kids I could handle being alone the majority of the time. Nobody would be there in the morning to help get them ready for school and at night to shuttle them to practice, games, playdates, and help with dinner, bath time, homework, bedtime, etc. We decided (or I did...) that 2 kids was a good balance to take car of while being alone. I thought 3 would just be too much. I feel like we already live in the car between running errands and going to all of their activities.

 

This week, some of our friends asked us to keep their sweet, adorable baby Charley so they could take their older child to Disney World during 'Fall Break'... that's right... that meant that my kids would be out of school also... so I really would have 3 kids by myself all day and all night with NO school. Oh dear!

 

I got a run for my money and a taste of what it would be like having 3 small children. It took time, but you finally figure out a good balance and how to handle everyone's needs. The most challenging time was in the early evening hours. It seemed like all 3 wanted/needed to eat, bathe, and be tucked in bed all at the same time. Well I only have 2 hands and 2 arms.. so some had to wait, but everyone did get fed, bathed and tucked in bed everynight.... somehow!!

 

Charley is really the best baby which made this adventure 100 times easier!! We had so much fun playing with her and taking her everywhere with us!

 

We went one day and played at the children's museum!

 

I think Charley had a little too much fun with our busy and hectic days. One night I was cleaning up from dinner and unloading the dishwasher. She was happily playing in her jumper. It all of a sudden got really quiet and I went over to check on her and the girl was passed out cold in the jumper! HA!

 

We even had some fun and made Charley in to a pumpkin :)

 

We LOVE 'borrowing' Charley, but on a full time basis, the thought of a 3rd child kinda gives me the willies. It honestly makes me tired just to think about it or even to say it! I manage 2 kiddos pretty good (I think)... with 3, we were just in survival mode! I found myself jumping in the shower at 10am when everyone was settled watching a cartoon or playing... and many mornings I woke up still in my clothes... I guess I was too tired to put on PJs. HAHA! I had to look at that one on the bright side.... less laundry!!