AND THEN THERE WERE 7.

Its just after midnight and the house is quiet for the first time in days.  Its a nice quiet.  I almost didn't recognize it.  With my youngest child being 10 I had forgotten what it was like to have little ones around.  My 7 year old nephew woke up at 6:30 this morning, then informed me that he was bored and needed something to do.  I suggested he go back to sleep.  He ignored me.  He suggested another snake hunt.  I ignored him.  Needless to say I'm running on empty at this point.  Oh, don't get me wrong, the kids have been asleep for about 2 hours now, I've just been enjoying the peace.

My two neices are little dolls.  The youngest one informed me while we were placing an ice-cream order at Sonic that she wanted a burrito, fries, a drink and a cone.  This child is only five and weighs little more than a whisper.  I told her that was too much since she had just eaten lunch.  She settled for the ice-cream cone, but later, at supper, she ate 3 drumsticks.  I felt bad about not getting her the burrito and fries.  (okay, not really, I've smelled what her but can dish out!) What I would give to have half her metabolism. 

Her 9 year old sister is probably the most mature, intelligent 9 year old child I have ever met.  She must surely be her mother's Mini-Me, and is cute as a button to boot! Her first words to me were 'Hi Auntie Jody, mom says I should help you around the house.'  I made her turn around because I just knew she had Angel wings.  Between her and Becca, my job has been so much easier than it could have been.  I had completely forgotten what it was like to have little ones around who need constant attention.

Becca refused to use her bathroom this evening because someone had forgotten to flush.

'It even says something Mom, it says Flush Me.' she insisted.  I looked and decided to do as the mystical turds has instructed.  I flushed.  I know for a fact it wasn't one of my kids, the culprit had used toilet paper.  I'm still impressed, I've seen a lot of things in my times, but I have never seen little turd squiggles spell out a message before.  This was definitely a first.  Relax, I didn't take a picture although the thought did cross my mind.

Okay, I lied.  Its 12:15 and there are giggles being giggled in the room down the hall.  No, I'm not going to say anything.  I can still remember summers at my aunt's house, and giggling long into the morning hours with my cousins.  Who am I to deny these memories?  But like my aunt, I will be banging the frying pan for them to get up by 8, whether they're ready to wake up or not!  Hey, why not?  Its MY turn!