“Wow, you’ve got your hands full.” (eye roll or sympathetic grin)
That’s the typical response when someone hears I have 4 kids. For some reason, 3 is considered totally normal. But, one more than that, and you are a glutton for punishment or something.
“How do you keep up?” usually follows.
I’m busy — no, not busy — purposeful. And, yes, somedays I feel like I’m just keeping my head about water. But, it’s not always that way.
Our days are not all over scheduled. We aren’t a soccer family, going to practices every night and cheering at games on the weekends. We aren’t going through fast food drive thru lines to catch dinner in between activities. We do have free evenings, particularly on weekends since somehow having “a lot of kids” keeps you anchored on Saturday nights.
And, on those free evenings, we pretty much just spend time together. Red box movie nights. Dessert at Dunkin Donuts. Walks in the park.
And, these unexciting times become my favorite times. No agenda. No technology except to find out how long the iditarod race is for Evan. And, the only frustration being my inability to get a good picture of my 4 children.
better full hands than empty ones…usually works in putting the naysayers in their places without being mean
I’ve got 4 too…
Did we have the same weekend?!? (Oh, and I also heard “Whoa, you have your hands full!” twice in the last three days.)
Love your perspective. And the pics of Lydia with Mark…OH, MY! Blow them babies up BIG and frame ’em!! Awesome pics of the two of them!!
Thanks for the post! Brad was away for the weekend, so it was just me and my two, 2-and-under. We walked to the park, bought ice cream from the ice cream truck, watched a free football game at the high school, ate $0.50 hot dogs, hitched a ride to church with another family, and then went to lunch with them at McDonald’s afterward. I definitely enjoy our unexciting times together. :)
I agree with you on family time. Although we are a soccer family, we have been able to spend more concentrated family time being here in Oregon with other friends and family. Although I miss everyone, I’m not taking my family time for grant it. I’ve really been enjoying those hikes with the five of us!
Us too…and it’s great!
Amen…i don’t have four just one…but enjoy the unacheduled tomes best as well…but the thong i Love best about this post are the joyful, gorgeous photos of lydia and mark!