Please Sir, May I Have Some More Kids In The House

My wife's family is in town and we are quite the crew. 15 of us in total, ranging from Granny and Granddad down to baby Hugh. 8 of us are teenagers or less, which definitely sets the tone for most of our outings. Total age for them: 62 (+/- 3). Having the adults around is nice, but the action happens 2 feet closer to the floor.

I really admire my brother in times like this, because getting 7 kids of varied ages to do the same thing, or stay focused on the same thing, is like trying to pick up jello. Just when I thought I had a firm grip on the situation, one starts wrestling the other, or another sees something elsewhere more interesting than me. To be honest, I'm not sure what you could do in some of these situtations. My bro's education might have giving him some ideas (I would have been Professor Talk-Over-and-Louder-Than-Everyone, Ph.D) but what I admire is his attitude through the whole thing. I've seen him keep going with kids long after I've had my fill, beyond patience and practice, it is a gifting of his.

Organizing the troops is tricky (impossible?), but for someone who writes about mundane happenings of their day, kids say some funny things. A good example came from dinner the other night, when I came in to take orders on our grilled hamburgers. I started talking before I had everyone's attention (Ph.D, remember? : )

"Alright, who wants cheese on their hamburger?"
A number of hands went up and I started counting.
My eldest nephew intejected, "I'll have cheese and some grilled onions."
"Uhh. . . ." and before I could be astounded, my middle nephew (of 5) added,
"Yes, I'll have the grilled onions and some sauteed mushrooms."
"Umm," I replied dryly, "you choice is 'cheese.'"


Sauteed mushrooms? What?!!

Fun times with everyone indeed, and Jess and I usually end our adventurers wondering what we'll do when Hugh isn't sleeping in his car seat or staring at inanimate objects. I suggested an anti-growth hormone, three months old is a really good age! Kids are full of energy, mischeiveious and clueless but also are joyous, loving and creative. A mix of two totally different worlds that we somehow try and fit into ours. What will we do when Hugh does not listen? When he does something wrong? When he does something great?!! When he is not doing much of anything? Lessons on parenthood are all around this week and here is my bus . . . I am getting taken to school! (Probably going to end up with a wedgie . . . atomic . . .)