Back To The Grind....

Jim likes the new job! He came home yesterday, HAPPY! SMILING! YAY!

My days will now be crazier. I began yesterday by quickly getting all the kids fed and dressed, and myself dressed to sing a funeral. My parents came over to watch the triplets and my plan was to bring Lili to school, sing the funeral in Newmarket, then drive back to Exeter to get Liliana.

Crazy, but it was all going to work out as long as I could get Lili motivated for school. Jim and I don't believe in reward systems in general, but we both decided an incentive might help her get back in the habit of going to school as she always seems to have fun once she is there. I had to wake her up with her sippy of juice and Curious George on the TV in our room. I gave her 5 minutes to wake up, then brought her a yogurt.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You are going to school, and I am going to sing."

"Oh, I don't want to go to school. I don't like school."

"Lil', do you know what an incentive is?"

"Nope."

"It is sort of like a prize, to help you get something done."

"Oh."

I had her attention with the term 'prize'. Still, I'm nervous. If she really refuses, what do I do then? I can't leave her with my parents. The triplets are enough work. Lili has a talent for getting into "Curious George" type trouble if you don't keep close tabs on her, and Joe was already being a challenge downstairs. (He isn't feeling well and is trying to give himself a concussion by smashing his head on the floor to illustrate how unhappy he is.) I couldn't bring her to the funeral. She'd never sit quietly. She would be attached to my leg. So I say a quick prayer and give it a try.

"I know you have fun once you get to school, but you've been out of the habit of going. I understand this makes it kind of hard. So if you go to school each day this week, we will get that Madeleine movie you've wanted." I say as I begin changing her out of her jammies.

"Oh,...okay."

(YAY!!!)

Fast forward to the Pediatrician's office in the afternoon.....

Thankfully my parents stayed at my home while Eve and Faith napped, so I just had Lili and Joe. We were given a room, but then we had to wait a long time. Eventually I couldn't hold Joe back anymore. He knew from our last appt. that they had a new playhouse in the other waiting room down the hall. My kids love this thing so much that I let them play in it, even if it is a petri dish. The doctor is finally ready for us, but Joe is not ready for him. I had to carry him kicking and screaming back to the exam room. Funny how everyone smiles at you when you're carrying a screaming child. I think they must be thinking, "Gee I'm glad I'm not her." or, "Oh, I remember my kid doing that." I smile back as if to say, "Yup, he's high-spirited, and I love him!"

The good news is that Joe's ears were clear, but the doctor did a throat culture as his throat was quite red (aha, that's why he was up in the night).

After the exam I let Joe charge back to the playhouse. When we left, more screaming, more smiles.

After dinner I decided I needed to be able to bathe them by myself. (I know, I'm crazy, but they LOVE the tub.) I made a few mistakes, like asking "who wants a bath?" before I had anything organized, causing the triplets to scream and immobilize me with the "knee hold". However, I did get them all clean. No injuries. Lots and lots of water on the floor, and many towels. But, I did it. :-)