Four on Friday

I just realised I really like alliteration, I use it in most of my titles.
So Four on Friday...

I was blessed with the task of babysitting the four Rouse kids, over night on Friday night... That's right I had 4 kids under 8 over night all by myself, and as you all know nothing ever goes exactly according to plan, so I'll share the highlights of our wonderful 24 hours together.

• First up was the challenge of strapping the car seat into the car. It took us about 10 minutes to workout how to adjust the strap so we could anchor it in the boot. Then it took about 10 minutes to fold the stroller up, poking and prodding and pulling almost every part of the darn thing to get it to collapse, Before squeezing int into the back seat. Car seat, stroller and Anika all secularly in the car and off I was.

• Then came the school run, one kid there 4 kids on the way home sounds simple enough, right?!?.... well 3 school children equal, three: schoolbags, lunchboxes, homework packs, jackets. and 4 children equal eight legs. Ok head count, 3 kids .... 2 kids ... 5 kids (were did that extra one come from?) ... 4 kids, all rounded up and with bags on backs we were set to go.

• Dinner time, was so easy (thanks Flick), dinner all made and ready to stick in the oven, garlic bread on the side. awesome. A little argument about who got the privilege of sitting next to me. (very flattering..... see Emma Miss Stephanie is the best). 3 dinners devoured and the other two not so keen on finishing theirs, even with the prospect of ice cream. (sorry mum, not ratting anyone out)

[as a side note I should make you aware that I go to a home group on a Friday night as do the Rouses, and I was determined to get all the kids ready at to the home group on time, a few doubted but that just made me more determined]

• Home group time arrived, the kids bathed and in their jarmies, and their teeth were brushed. Pillows, blankets, teddy's all acquired and in the car along with the kids. done. Arriving at home group and jumping out the car Harry says "Miss Stephanie I forgot my slippers.", One kid forgot slippers, one forgot a pillow and another forgot their blanket, but all in all not a bad effort.

• Setting the kids up in bed, I gave them a few minutes to read. then lights out, they of course mucked up a little, but with a gentle reminder at the prospect of Maccas for breakfast I didn't hear another peep.

• Whilst at bible study, my car was egged, the last thing I needed when I had 4 sleepy children, but what can you do but soldier on... Settling the kids into their beds back at 'home', I set out to wash my car, I had to find a bucket and cloth, and wash the car under the illumination of a little light under the carport. Grrr.

• Sleep, that was defiantly a highlight.

• Jo and Anika woke up first at 6am. Not happy Jan. But Joanna played quietly in the toy room, and Ani snuggled with me for a while, so cute. Then Harry and Jessie got up at 6:30am, and it was time for snuggles with Jess.

• Anikas outfit, was adorable. The others are old enough to dress themselves, so I was helping Ani, she wanted to wear her bear dress, but it was too cold so I put leggings on a top underneath, she looked so cute.

• Macca's was fun, ordering was chaos, but we ended up with everything we needed. I also bumped into someone I knew and the Rouses didn't, they were surprised to see me with 4 kids until I explained that they were not mine, I was babysitting.

• At the park, the kids were riding their bikes around, and climbing on the jungle gym, I look up and Anika is right at the top, then she insists that she can climb down all by herself, standing by to catch her if she falls, she climbed down with quiet some thought and skill, shes growing up so fast.

These are just a few glimpses of our wonderful time together, I love the Rouse kids, I love all kids, and I really enjoyed spending time with them. ... but once Henry and Flick got home, I was ready to go home and have a Nana nap.

Thanks for all the great memories.