"We Interrupt This Program..."

Life at our house is going to be very different this week! You see...we were having a pretty normal Friday last week. I admit that I was being a bit unproductive, but Rachel and I were having a good day overall. We were supposed to go to the grocery store. As the day went on I was less and less motivated to go. I emailed Frank and told him Rachel wanted to go out for sushi instead. Okay, so I may have asked her if she wanted to then made it sound like it was all her idea;). She loves the chiicken teriyaki. Okay, no big chnages yet. Frank said yes and we went down, picked him up from work and proceeded to work our way through traffic in the rain. (I swear it rains more here than it did in Seattle!) At one point during the drive over, Frank smiled at me. I knew I was in trouble. It was one of "those" smiles...the "I have something to ask you and if you say no you will be the bad guy because I sort of kind of already said we would do it but I am asking you anyway because I probably should have asked you before saying anything but before I knew it the words were out of my mouth then it was out there now I'm asking you and you have to say yes" smiles. You know what I mean? Yes, one of "those".

A cute "after bath" photo...

 Close-up...

 Miss Rachel and Doctor Daisy.

Yes, Dr. Daisy is a teddy bear.

Rachel got her from Aunt Dana
when she was one month old.

She has always just called her "Teddy".

This particular morning she called me
 over the monitor and said,

"Momma, come get Rachel and Dr. Daisy
and take us downstairs."

I admit I was curious.
I had no idea who she was talking about.

I just laughed when I saw the bear.
I asked her where she got that name from.

She told me "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!"

So back to the story. After the "smile", Frank said he had something to ask me. Um, yes...I kind of thought so.  He then tells me a co-worker and his wife, who have four children, need to return to their home in another state to set up their relocation move and tie up some loose ends back there. They moved here shortly after we did.  They just sold their house there, bought one here...yes, they have been even busier than we have. Okay, that's great! Wait, what's the question? He then tells me that they have no one to watch their kids and he kind of sort of may have told his co-worker that we could watch three of them...for a week! He then told him he had to ask me! Okay, I have had lunch with his wife and met two of the kids couple of times. Super nice family, super nice kids. But...what????!!!! Rachel has KMusik, Gymnastics and I have several appointments this week and next before we leave for our VA trip to visit family. They are really busy kids with school, sports and such. Frank says it will be no problem as he can help take them to school, pick them up, entertain etc...Huh?! My super busy husband who is very dedicated to his job, works a ton, has been called a "work-a-holic" with an incredible work ethic is going to suddenly have time to help me with my new "soccer mom" job? Well, actually "track and baseball mom, suddenly making breakfast, lunch and dinner for six mom". (except on the three days they have school this week. ) That was one of his "sells"...that they have school all week and just need picked up and dropped off. I scheduled several things for Monday and a hair appointment on Friday and he said it would still be fine. Um, well, actually they are off school on Monday and only go half a day on Friday! Yikes!

The kiddos enjoying the "treats" they made

with Rachel's "ice-cream" bin of goodies...

 Yum!

 Good stuff!

So...here we are, after a very full day of fun (they get up a lot earlier than Rachel!) ...Frank and all the kiddos have been in bed since about 8pm. We are working it out with our instant family of six. Four kids...I "have" four kids. Somehow we fed them all breakfast, went out for lunch and to a movie and then I made dinner. They played and played and played...all got into jammies, brushed teeth and went to bed at a decent time. Okay so three of them are quite self-sufficient. Actually my little three year old is pretty independent too. So why the heck do I feel like I never stopped moving today? Why am I exhausted? Oh, and Rachel is having a BLAST! They are 12, 7 and 6 years old. Rachel calls them all "friends" and is just having so much fun. She even exclaims, "This is FUN!" whenever the mood strikes her. She has been smiling ever since they got here yesterday afternoon. She shares all her toys and loves showing them her stuff. They are incredibly sweet and patient with her. The cutest thing is how they make sure she holds on to the railing up and down the stairs and hold her hand and just always seem to have her "back".

I'm not sure how this week will unfold. I'm pretty sure it will be fine. I'm glad we can help our friends this way. I know how much it means to them. I rescheduled Rachel's Easter photos for next Sunday...yes, on Easter...so the cards will be a bit late. I'm pretty sure I am going to sleep ALL day next Saturday!  Heading to bed now for my new 6:00 - 6:30 a.m. wake-up call. It really comes pretty fast!

Enjoying a real treat at the "burger place".

Sharing a vanilla milshake with her Da-Da!

(I'm not sure how much he actually got:))

Wish us luck!