The Reality... is a series of posts that give expression to what life is like
going from being a family of four with two small children,
to instantly becoming a family of seven
when we adopted our three oldest children.
From the very beginning of transitioning from two to five kids, it didn't take me long to realize that I was CLEARLY outnumbered! I very quickly coined the following statement and have repeated it to the kids many times since!
"Ok kids, how many kids are
there?”
They all yell out, “FIVE!”
“And how many mommies are there?”
They all
yell out, “ONE!”
“Ok…lets all take a minute to remember that!”
On weekday mornings, all of the cereal options go out on the table...four options to be exact. I could tell you like clock work what will happen next. Five hungry children gather around the table and it is like a bidding auction with five little (that gradually get LARGER) voices...well, four medium voices and a grunting, passionate two year old in the mix all saying, "I want that one!", "I want that one mixed with that one!", "I want that one on the bottom and that one on the top!" "No, mom! I wanted that one on the top and no milk" as they all continue to point and yell (I mean use their "inside voices", ahem)
"Stop!" I enthusiastically say, "When I ask you which kind of cereal you would like THEN you can tell me what you would like." A hush falls on the crowd.
Why is it that we must repeat the same thing every morning?
I have tried to remember to pre-warn them every morning about the mommy to kid ratio being off. For some reason by the time I get all of the cereal, colored bowls, cups, spoons, 1% milk, Almond milk and water on the table the auction seems to have started before I even get the chance to stop them.
AMEN!!!! My house is a little easier because in the am they leave at different times, so I can do one at a time. My solution to dinner is, no choices. I put it on the table, dish their plates,THEN call them to the table. Their choices come after their first plate is done! Lol! :)
ReplyDeleteJacki,
DeleteI love the part about "THEN call them to the table." I really need to do that more often at dinner time...great tip!
~Sarah
Hahaha...at least as they get older, they will start helping more? (:
ReplyDeleteI've always been curious, how do you make time for you? Cause after having kids, I always wear my hair in a bun & do my makeup during red lights. Forget curlers & pedicures! If that's too personal, nevermind. (:
I am VERY much looking forward to the them getting a little older part! :-)
DeleteI definitely don't have making time for me mastered...although I did brush my hair today which is always an accomplishment! I'll make a note to share more about that in a future post.
~Sarah
Reagan gets her own cereal and Malachi now knows to ask her to make his for him! Round one is usually done before we get downstairs! If you teach them how to fish.... :)
ReplyDeleteLucky!!!! :-)
Delete~Sarah
Oh man sorry but I gotta laugh.
ReplyDeleteno problem, smiles are a good thing! :-)
Delete~Sarah
I can hear ur youngest now lolman I love ur kids
ReplyDelete