Assume the Position

This week we watched Marie's three kids while they were in Lake Powell. Just before they left, Travis was throwing up with the 24 Hour Flu. Sunday, my mom took the kids until I was done with a training at work on Monday. She was a trooper and held on to Parker for another day, until Tuesday, while he was still sick and extremely needy. My mom must have known that I needed to do some adjusting to being a Mom of two before we added a third/sick child. As I acclimated, she threw Parker in the mix of running kids to and from school, doing meals, keeping peace, baths, homework, playtime and bedtime. Whew. Right about when Parker came over, Zack got the bug. He threw up 5 times, although he claims 7 times (because of the grand finale). Poor kid. The rest of the week, he was scared to eat, watch movies, lay down.. - because last time, "it made me throw up." The next day, he took a nap and was out like a light until dinner time. After sleepwalking (in tears), he woke up and sat down to dinner. He was quick to correct my prayer, "This isn't dinner Ali, this is breakfast." Thinking that he meant the food, (Banana dipped in Rice Krispies), I said yep, we are having breakfast for dinner because this will be gentle on your stomach. He looked at me weird then asked if he was going to school and I said no, its over already and you were still too sick to go. It wasn't until I interrupted Katie and Zacks argument of when Mommy and Daddy would be home (Katie said in 1 day, Zack was sure that it was 0 days). It was then that I realized that Zack thought his "nap" was his nights sleep. When I told him that it was 6pm and bedtime was in two hours. I turned his little life upside down. He also had no recollection of pacing around the living room in tears, screaching.. "KATIE!!!!!" He must have been feverish. That night, at 2:30 am, I got the bug. I felt like Ron on Harry Potter when his "Eat Slugs" spell reversed back onto himself. Half hour later, Parker decided that sleeping was for healthy people. He stayed awake fussing anytime he was not held while standing up until 5:30am. Luckily I had Dylan in the morning. I couldn't face the kitchen, fearing even the slightest glance at the POPS cereal box, would bring on more slugs. Dylan got the kids off to school then Sara and Janie helped with the rest of the day. They relived me to rest and for the first time that week, have time for a shower. Marie, I got to hand it to you. I promise no more joke about you guys needing to have one more kid. You have your hands full. But, it was a great learning experience and despite what you might think.. I would do it again (minus the flu).