2+1+1=fun

Emma has been staying with us this week, while both of her parents are off on work trips. So each day we have 2+1 kids and mornings we have 2+1+1 when Jack gets dropped off.

Remarkably, the only difficult part is all the talking. It is incessant chatting, several kids at the same time, all trying to talk to one adult. They have a lot to share. Sometimes, I feel a bit dizzy and can't remember who was next. Emma shares a non-stop stream of random thoughts. "Auntie Jo! I have something to tell you! You need to come talk with me!". Mostly, I want them to be quiet so they can put some food in their gobs - there is so much to say that little is eaten at meal times. Thankfully, they don't mind staying up at the table for a while to get the job done. But mealtimes are a loud, long affair. Andrew looks exhausted and it is all the noise, not activities or drama that is causing it. He sits very quietly with a book after they go to bed and says next to nothing.

Jack and Emma had a bit of a stand off with the single booster seat - each one thinks the seat is theirs and doesn't want the other in it. Astonishingly, Emma says she is too little (when has she EVER thought she was too little for anything??) to sit in a chair without a booster and won't give it up for Jack. Jack, not to be outdone, will not sit on my lap for breakfast but gives Emma the stare down. When she leaves the table, he gets in the chair to eat and looks at her as if to say "This is my chair, kid!". Emma started to argue that the stroller was for her but considering she had walked to school the day before, she reconsidered and "let Jack use it".

Emma has been a great sleeper and a great helper. She is very insistent that she MUST help set the table and get dinner. You need to keep the girl armed with tasks. She and Raynham have worked out a system so that Raynham can take breaks in her room so it isn't full on cousins 24/7 (well, actually 24/4 - she will go home after 4 days). That means there has been less strife than normal between the girls who are more like sisters than cousins. They are even cooperating in putting the toys away and surprised us by getting the dollhouse upstairs by working as a team (probably best not to ponder this too much).

Turns out that 2+1+1 is a lot of fun. Seeing all the cousins play nicely together and the older ones take care of the younger has been super cool. Galen, as always, is the responsible one with a watchful eye when needed. I actually think we have seen more good behaviour this week than most. I don't know who to thank for this - possibly Santa - but I am completely grateful. I am also completely sure that stopping at 2 was a good idea.