I got this, Yo

Our colorful carousel continues to spin to sweet Calliope music. Up and down we go with a routine that feels monotonous but secure, snug and even warm. Just like my little freckled and popsicle stained face as a kid, hair tangling in the breeze as the ponies go round and round, up and down. The ride isn't exactly exhilarating, but it's predictable and fun none the less. The highs and lows ride the x axis more than the y and you never want it to stop!

Life got easier after Monday. Monday there was no Daddy at home after school and they tested me. It was flat out exhausting to hang in there and back up my big mouth as I threatened to take away Wii or endure a 7 minute stare down to get an answer to a simple question. Stuffed animals and bedding were flung far and wide, lips jutted out and voices were pitched to a level of whining perfection only Fran Drescher would envy.

I really believe it now. Kids truly crave structure. They are hungry for boundaries given in love. It was the love they had been missing. Their little cocoa a lait faces would twist in confusion as it slowly occurred to them I would love them as strongly as I disciplined them. And that for every harsh tone there were 10 bubbles of praise popping delightfully on their noses.

It was a sweet week. Caton has been overjoyed at the addition of what she must consider play-slaves. Small adults created solely for her amusement. And do they ever amuse her! All she requires at her age is an audience and it's grown exponentially!

Little baby Georgi doesn't cry for more than 2 minutes before Max is riding his white horse to her rescue. He has discovered she squeals in delight when he says "Boo" and his tender little heart cannot even be stopped by Wii Storm Troopers at the verge of rescuing the princess, he simply MUST tend to his baby sister's cry for help. Already her knight in shining Under Armour.

School? Easy breezy. Having moved so many times, they are pros at making friends and flattering teachers. Our tight after-school schedule allows them only 15 minutes of play after we get home and before homework time. They usually want to get started on homework sooner and have enjoyed having Mommy watch them and interact with them while doing it (code for: praise me for anything because I missed out on this at age 2-4 and I really need it now). They also love to read to the babies and we keep it fresh by reading outside when weather permits.

Another emergency technique we employed is a white board with Yays and Boos. At the realization that Daddy was the key to obedience and the missing link in their lives, we discovered that if we write on the board the Yays and Boos to discuss with Daddy when he gets home, they tend to aim high, and even compete, for Yays and would throw themselves into a snake pit before getting a Boo to discuss with Daddy. Daddy's pride and praise is the American dollar to Mommy's pesos. And that is ok by me!

Mother's Day was four times as good as last year. Literally. One baby last Mother's Day. Four babies this year. And with that comes what all you experienced Mom's must already know....that a Mother's Day gift is more about the kids than you. I got Uno. And if you're feeling sorry for me, don't. Cause it's Uno Attack. The fancy one. That's right. We played it and laughed and then it broke. C'est La Vive.