This morning all of my littles were up by 5:00am! Of the six hours I could have spent in my bed last night I was up at least that many times between three boys. Not only were they up early, but they weren't very agreeable. The boys had ten arguments before Camilla even left for school. They spent a half an hour trying to figure out how to play a game and when I called Camilla up to practice her violin before school she wasn't too happy with me.
Later in the morning as we got ready to leave for Joe's chiropractor appointment, Finley was asking to wear his favorite jacket. It was still covered in barf, so I slid a warm wool sweater (that used to be Mike's) on him instead and he proceeded to scream in protest all the way to the chiropractor. One thing I'm learning about Finley is that he has favorites. He threw a fit last night before bed when I took off his favorite shirt and put his jammies on. I took my camera along and hoped that the scenic drive would cheer me up. As we drove I admired the pretty frost covered trees. I thought if I could snag a few pictures of my crazy toddler after the appointment I might feel a bit better about life. Sometimes slowing down and seeing life through my camera lens has a way of putting things back into focus and growing my love.
Finley gave me the best nose wrinkles and toothy grins. He started wiggling around and as I adjusted my stance I slipped on some ice. In an effort to save my camera I ended up smashing my elbow and my knee on the ice. While I cried in the middle of the dirt road, Finley laughed his head off which just made me want to cry more. "Otay Mom?" he said as he placed his chubby toddler hand on my back. That boy has a talent for driving me batty and melting my heart all at the same time. I collected myself, snapped a few more pictures and called it a morning!
Before we left for swimming in the afternoon I set out some art canvases and paints for our return. I had hoped to keep them busy while I tried to find my counter top under all of the dishes and make dinner. They were so excited to get started on their works of art when we got home. Finley was quick to finish and needed a bath because he preferred to paint himself over his canvas. Just as I began organizing the kitchen I heard him call for me from the tub. He stood terrified with brown floaties on all sides. Yes, I have awesome luck. I disinfected bath toys, disinfected the tub, and ran him a fresh warm bath while dinner nearly burnt on the stove. I side stepped puppy pee as I rushed to stir the sizzling meat. All the while Joe was hanging off my leg complaining of hunger.
I diapered Finley and left him to run around without clothes. He grabbed a banana like his older siblings and I smiled as I watched all of my little monkeys dance to the music in the kitchen. Soon they all ran downstairs to play and I was left with a sleepy baby to finish up dinner, and a counter still full of dishes and the remnants of lunch. Finley played peek-a-boo with Ollie while I dumped the beans into the pot. The chili spilled over the side while I stirred and I wanted to cry. Dinner had that unique smoked taste that you can't quite place (unless you're me and know that it burnt to the bottom of the pot). I called Mr. Stannix and laughed out loud as I recounted the chaos of the last few minutes and reassured him that I don't make these things up.
And so go the days. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in negative when you're amidst the happy chaos that is our life with five littles. I often find myself feeling overwhelmed by the mess, the arguing, the schedules and their constant need for food. But usually when I take the time to slow down and look at things with more of an eternal perspective, it all becomes a little bit easier. The children don't mind if our counter is piled with dishes, or the toy room is full of clutter. They are just happy to snuggle on my lap and listen to me read, or play games. I might not know a whole lot about what's going on outside our home, but I do know that what happens inside our home will have a far greater effect on my children. Today I am grateful for my camera lens, a goofy toddler, and a beautiful world of white to chase away the Winter blues.
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