This summer, we spent a lot of time at Grammy's house. On one particular occasion, we were joined by my stepbrother, his wife and their two kids -- Hunter, 5 and Maia, 3.
Mazzy was in absolute KIDDIE HEAVEN. She has always been very social, so she became fast friends with her cousins even though this is actually only her second time meeting them. (The first was when she was three months old, so I'm gonna give her a pass for having to ask their names again.)
The weekend was a lot of fun, but also a small taste of what it will be like to have more than one kid.
Short answer: CHAOTIC AND LOUD.
Below are ten lessons I learned this past weekend:
1. It doesn't matter how many toys are in the room, all the kids will fight over the same one.
Over the course of two days, there were fights over a game of Connect Four that none of them knew how to play, a deflated balloon, an action figure of someone named Ben 10 (why Mazzy HAD TO HAVE IT, I have no idea) and a plastic raddish.
2. Kids have a sixth sense as to when the others have woken up, even if they are on the other side of the house.
Mazzy heard Maia make a peep at 5:30am and it was all over. She bolted upright in bed and screamed, "I'm awake! Can I play with Maia now?" before I could even distinguish reality from a nightmare.
3. Don't tell a group of little kids you are going to a Mexican restaurant named Funcho's.
When they get there, and they learn all they will be doing is eating lunch, one might turn to you with extreme disappointment and say, "Where is the FUN SHOW?"
4. Dessert must be doled out equally, and if possible, at the exact same time.
For instance, if you are giving more than one preschooler ice cream, it would be helpful to employ a group of waiters with fine dining experience, so they can all stand around the table, place a covered bowl in front of each child and then lift the silver lids off all at once.
5. If one kid is wearing a piece of tupperware on his head, EVERY KID must wear a piece of tupperware on their heads.
6. Don't tell two little girls they are the "M&M Twins", unless you are prepared to listen to this for the next two days:
7. "I want to take a swimming break" actually means, "I want to get out of the pool, towel off, walk back to the house, see that the other kids are going to the pool and then turn around and go right back in."
8. Influence of older kids who run faster, climb higher and ride bikes means more scrapes, bumps and bruises for the little one trying to keep up. (Mazzy's poor knees.)
9. Naptime becomes much more difficult when the older kids in the house don't take one anymore.
We put Mazzy in the pack-and-play for a nap upstairs by telling her that everybody else was going to take a nap now too. Ten minutes later, I see her little head poking through the banister on the stairs, eyeing everyone (Maia and Hunter inlcuded) playing on their assorted electronic devices. "Everybody is awake?!" she shouted triumphantly. Oops. I forget the kid is too smart for me. Plus, which one of those toddlers taught her how to climb out of the pack-and-play???
10. Getting three preschoolers to all sit still at once, is a minor miracle.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.