September 3, 2007

Rambunctious Children Run Amok!

We had a little Labor Day gathering at our house yesterday and I’m doing my best to recover.

My parents, my brothers, our friends J & C, and our other friends’ children, The Three T’s (whom we were babysitting because our friends had to volunteer at the Elk’s Club), were our guests.

Doug had to work for a couple hours in the morning, which left me to do all the cleaning and food prep. Once he got home, Doug did the brat grilling and corn on the cob cooking.

I am usually pretty good at entertaining. I have all these great Pampered Chef kitchen gadgets to use, and lots of really groovy serving pieces and I love a good party to bring out the fancy schmancy tableware. But add three additional children (ages 8, 3 and 2) to the mix, along with my Dawson and I go a little crazy.

I was glad that Dawson had playmates to keep him occupied, but the kids were wild. Running, jumping, screaming, yelling, screeching, kicking, somersaulting, cartwheeling and the list goes on — and I get a little tense, all the while trying to keep a smile on my face so people didn’t notice I was freaking the fugg out!

The Three T’s are good natured kids, they just seem to be very hyper and Dawson loves to follow suit. Except when the kids were playing with his toys. I can’t tell you how many times my Doodlebug tugged on my leg and whined, “Mumma, those kids are playing with my toys!”

“Share and share alike!” I actually heard myself say. Oh my God, I am turning into my mother! I distinctly remember her saying those same words 24 years ago.

With four kids in the house I was really starting to wonder how mothers with more than one or two children do it! How do you get the kids to cooperate and listen and share, and more importantly, how do you get them to NOT fight? I think it’s easier when the children are your own. I hope?

After dinner, I took the kid crew for a walk to the park. They spent 15 minutes on the slides and swings and jungle gym before it got dark. I figured the walk there and back combined with all the fresh air would tucker them out.

Boy was I in for a surprise. Apparently I refueled them and a race around the house ensued. Again with that running, chasing, screeching thing! My poor ears!

When my friend arrived to pick up her monkeys adorable children I can honestly tell you I was relieved.

Even this morning, I’m not fully recovered from children chasing! Maybe I’ll hold off on this second baby business a little longer. I can handle Dawson just fine, but another one? Yeah…not so much.

(And I confess: this is probably why we don’t do play dates in this house!)