This weekend, I found myself facing an entire day all alone with my four children. Rick was at work. My mom (who usually helps me) was in Memphis.
So it was just me – staring at 11 week old twins, a 3 1/2 year-old and an almost 6 year-old.
An at home movie marathon would have been the perfect choice. So instead, I decided we should go on an outing.
After a round of nursing, I put the twins in the double stroller. Then Summer hopped in the single stroller because that girl just loathes walking. I have no idea why. Just the action of putting one foot in front of the other has never really caught on with her. On her wedding day, I have a feeling Rick will be pushing her down the aisle in a Bugaboo.
Then Dylan and I divided up the manual labor.
I pushed the twins in one stroller.
And she pushed Summer in the other stroller.
We walked a few blocks into town and it was all going pretty well until Dylan suddenly stopped and declared, “Summer is too heavy. I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Now I’m a do-it-myself kind of girl but there is no way I can push a double stroller AND a single stroller. If Dylan walked off the job, I was in deep trouble. We negotiated. And for the very reasonable price of an Italian ice, Dylan agreed to keep pushing. But she did insist, this was her last time doing this sort of thing.
I hate when the help goes all diva on me.
Later in the day, I even took my little crew to a friend’s party. The whole thing was kind of a blur but I do remember handing my babies off to anyone who would hold one for a minute, yelling at Summer for pulling on my shirt for the 400 billionth time, feeling bad about yelling at her because it’s just a stupid shirt after all, wiping the tushy of a child that was not my own and then somehow getting home to meet Rick and pack up all four kids to head to the Jersey shore.
And we did get to the shore.
It was Chase and Harlowe’s first visit and their toes never touched the sand but I think they learned there is no better place to nap than the beach.
This is my sister-in-law Kimberly holding Harlowe…
And my pensive older girls…
20 Responses to home alone with four kids
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kelcey kintner
Those pictures are so precious. Wish I had taken more of my girls. Wishing you much rest & peace.
You tell those babies that the beach makes me sleepy, too.
And this has nothing to do with your post, but every time I see your picture, I want to be blond again.
The day I can’t buy my children off with candy or ice cream…I guess it will be trips to the mall for inappropriate teenager clothes? I will cherish these days of sugar.
Adorable pictures. (And I must say – you always look fantastic in them – you know for someone who doesn’t sleep anymore)
ahhhh sleeping on the beach. jealous!
Hey skinny arm mama — are you eating enough ice cream?
Infant. Carrier. Never leave home without one. You can put Summer with one twin and carry the other one. A sling folds up so small and makes it easier for nursing, too. Granted, I’ve never had twins, but having a baby with a toddler and an older kid means you need that stroller seat occasionally.
Love the beach shots!
The beach is the best, in the afternoon. THE BEST.
An outing? You are one ambitious woman. I would have sat on the couch. Have fun at the beach!
Oh you are super brave.
Ahhh the beach. It can cure all can’t it?
Time for a well deserved vaca!!!
xoxo
You got off for an italian ice? Girl, you are lucky. I never get off for less than a My Little Pony.
OK, you win! I have been complaining about not having free time with my one nine year old at the beach with me! Hope you’re well and find some time for yourself in the spirit of the52weeks.com! Precious photos…
Summer sounds like my 6yo. He despises walking. Friends took him on a BIG bush walk the other day – almost 2 hours – and I don’t know how he survived. But he did. Phew.
the beach cures all ills. That’s where my then-two-year old FINALLY learned to nap without being in a moving stroller. Seriously. For two years, the kid had to be in a moving stroller morning & afternoon in order for a nap to happen. I guess it helped lose the mommy-tummy (sort of) but I started to feel like the postman: neither sleet nor snow… Enjoy the beach!
Your sister-in-law Kimberly holding Harlowe???? That’s YOU, or you look just like each other. Be happy you have a wonderful beach place to go to in the summer with lots of relatives to play with the children.
You look fantastic!
That’s one damned good-looking family!
Yeah, I hate to be all smug and been there done that, cause I’m not like that generally, but I do have to say, get used to those blurred days. Some days, I don’t know how I got my four from one end of the day to the other.
You are all gorgeous.
Precious kiddos! I don’t know how you do it with four!