It's been kind of ironic (I'm not sure that is the right word, but...) that this weekend is Mother's Day in England.
A few weeks ago Bret asked us if we would be willing to watch the Rowley kids so he could do something special for Hollie for their anniversary (Happy Anniversary). Of course, we agreed and we had them over night last night. It started off about 4pm with me still being at work and Rosie calling to ask what time I was going to be home because she already had big plans for the kids with pizza in the park. I got home about 6:00 and immediately could see that Buddy was thoroughly enjoying the moment. Someone with more energy than him to play with.
We played for a little in the backyard and then ordered the pizza and loaded up to go to the park. Rosie watched the kids while I went and picked up the pizza. By the time I got back Mable had learned to go down the slide and they all must have been really hungry because while Aiden only had 2 pieces (square cut small pieces), Grayson must have eaten half the pepperoni pizza (fortunately it was dark enough out by this time and they couldn't see that Uncle John had messed up and not gotten just cheese) and "Set the Table" ate 3 pieces. About that time, Aiden said he was getting tired so Rosie started loading up Aiden and Mabel while I sat and ate more pizza with Grayson.
We let Grayson give us the directions to get back home. I'm not sure how much he got lucky with guesses or how much he really knew, but he got us home the same way we went there. Aiden was having a hard time with all this because he was sure that the he had missed the first turn.
Aiden was the first to fall asleep after changing into PJs which Buddy seemed to like becuase he made himself comfortable right next to him. Mabel and Gray weren't going down quite as easy and managed to make it another hour til 9pm. That was enough for Uncle John and Auntie Rosie. We put up the play pen for Mabel to sleep in and Rosie stayed with her while Uncle John went in the family room to watch Gray. Auntie Rosie got Mabel to fall asleep with her voodoo and Uncle John managed to fall asleep with Gray watching TV. Rosie came in and got both of them and invited Grayson to come sleep in bed with them much to Uncle John's dismay. I'm convinced kids in bed are much like dogs and cats. Not necessarily that they don't belong in bed, but that when they are in bed they seem to cling to the one that least wants them there and Grayson was no different. Almost immediatley, Grayson was nestled comfortably into the middle of my back.
This is where the story really starts to get interesting:
1AM: (but feels like it has to be 4 or 5am): Grayson wakes up and says, "Aunt Rosie? I'm thirsty." So accomodatingly Rosie lifts him out of the bed and tells him where in the kitchen she left him some water. A minute later we hear tinkling coming from the front bath. While that is going on it must have triggered Rosie's bladder. In the mean time, Grayson comes back wide awake, climbs into bed, and is ready for play time. By the time Rosie comes back to bed he's full of conversation and planning meals for the next week. Rosie mentioned at the park that we could have pizza for breakfast with the leftovers and Grayson had exclaimed. "GOOD IDEA!" So now plans are in the works. Gray says we can have pizza for lunch and I told him pizza was for breakfast and, while it was dark, I'm sure I got a look of "You stay out of this" while he told Rosie that pizza was for lunch and breakfast and Rosie thought french toast was a better idea for breakfast. I think she got the look as well because Gray said it was going to be french fries for dinner. Thursday (which Unlce JOhn mistook for thirsty) was going to be pizza again (Not quite sure what happened for the days in between. I may have nodded off about 1:30am). Anyway, Rosie eventually got him to sleep just in time for Mabel to wake up crying (I'm not sure what time it was but I am sure it wasn't long). She was much more accomodating with sleep and shortly after went back to sleep. Moments later (5am), Aiden was yelling "Aunt Rosie" from down the hall. She invited him into bed with us and we were granted another hour and a half from the powers that be before it was time to get up for good. Rosie fed the kids and they weren't having anything but pizza. Of course there had to be scenes reminiscent of Rosie's nephew years ago and "The dog ate my pizza." That was followed by more backyard playing with Buddy until the boys were invited to go play with the McDowell grandchildren next door.
It was a great time with the Rowley kids and I think a great time was had by all. Of course, that may be the sleep deprivation speaking :). Hollie and Bret, thanks for the opportunity! We felt like we got a little taste of parenthood and if nothing else, we got a good post for our blog. Hollie, you were right. This stuff does write itself. :)
Truthfully from the parenthood experience part I can see why people do this. Smiles from little faces just seem to light me up. We'll post a pic if we take one later.
The only drawback to the travel is that Intel no longer pays for business class and he has to travel coach, but at least he gets to fly on Singapore Air which, in his opinion, is the best airline bar none. Any other airline is a distant 2nd and all of the domestic airlines are way down toward the bottom of his list.