The Thompson Tots
Last Sunday, Tyler, Christie, Topher, Maddie, and Caroline arrived in Pleasant Grove, en route to their new home here in Utah Valley. We got to meet Miss Caroline for the first time, and we've gotten to see more of the rest of them in the last week than we have in the last year. It's been a blast. It's also been very educational.
Some things we've learned from and about these three kiddos this week:
1. Chicken pot pie isn't chicken pot pie unless it looks like a miniature pie. Our homestyle version baked with biscuits just doesn't measure up.
2. A gurgling bathtub drain is terrifying for a little person sitting in said bathtub. And said little person will rapidly eject herself, sopping wet and soapy, from such a terrifying situation.
3. Bubbles, rather than being sufficient bribery to get back into the no-longer-gurgling tub, are decidedly "ewww". I could have sworn kids liked bubbles...
4. Some children's books are far too long. And far too boring. Who writes this stuff, anyway? In these cases, making up the words is the best and only option.
5. Siblings are important and hugely influential. From how to play who's-the-loudest? to irrational doggie fears to kindness, kids learn a lot from each other, and they pay special attention to their brother and sister kinfolk.
6. Being outnumbered is tough. Three young'uns with at least three different needs and only two adults with the capacity to take care of a collective two needs at a time (and that's a maximum - sometimes it takes combined efforts to meet just one need) leaves you feeling like someone must be getting left out.
7. However, patience and the ability to share are in no short supply with these particular young'uns - probably a result of practice with and a subconscious awareness of the truth in #5.
We're excited to have the Thompson clan close by for good - at least temporarily for good... I'm sure we have much more aunt and uncle wisdom to learn from them.
Some things we've learned from and about these three kiddos this week:
1. Chicken pot pie isn't chicken pot pie unless it looks like a miniature pie. Our homestyle version baked with biscuits just doesn't measure up.
2. A gurgling bathtub drain is terrifying for a little person sitting in said bathtub. And said little person will rapidly eject herself, sopping wet and soapy, from such a terrifying situation.
3. Bubbles, rather than being sufficient bribery to get back into the no-longer-gurgling tub, are decidedly "ewww". I could have sworn kids liked bubbles...
4. Some children's books are far too long. And far too boring. Who writes this stuff, anyway? In these cases, making up the words is the best and only option.
5. Siblings are important and hugely influential. From how to play who's-the-loudest? to irrational doggie fears to kindness, kids learn a lot from each other, and they pay special attention to their brother and sister kinfolk.
6. Being outnumbered is tough. Three young'uns with at least three different needs and only two adults with the capacity to take care of a collective two needs at a time (and that's a maximum - sometimes it takes combined efforts to meet just one need) leaves you feeling like someone must be getting left out.
7. However, patience and the ability to share are in no short supply with these particular young'uns - probably a result of practice with and a subconscious awareness of the truth in #5.
We're excited to have the Thompson clan close by for good - at least temporarily for good... I'm sure we have much more aunt and uncle wisdom to learn from them.
So jealous you guys got to meet little Caroline!!! Hope to see you all sometime this summer!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the blog about being with Christie and Tyler’s kids. Your observations about kids books, and the ability of children to “sync-up” while you read is so true. The approach I learned to use was to point at one object on each page, and turn the page after 5-7 seconds. That seemed to work well...and it is a technique that works in a chapel too!
-Chris
BTW, the "power law" of the number of children and parenting is as follows. One is a full time job (but tag-teaming is an option). Two provides no down-time (are you ready to trade?) Three and Four make no noticible difference in decibel level among the chaos. You run out of hands as a couple at Five (so there is always an "escapee" when you are out and about). Since One alone consumes all discretionary resources such as sleep, energy, money, etc., you are "full-in" as a couple at that point and beyond.
ReplyDeleteIf given a chance to do it all again with my half-dozen, I would in a heart-beat.
-Chris
Thankyou for this blog(Chris just showed me how to comment so now I can do that from time to time). It touched my heart!
ReplyDeleteSo often I wondered how I could meet all those needs. Eventually I discovered that beyond them being feed, clothed and clean, they only NEEDED to be loved. And the ability to love, unlike time, grows so that when there are more to love there is more love to give. That means when all six of mine were home, some how I was blessed with the energy to get up multiple times each night with babies, get up early with todlers and stay up late with teenagers. And have energy to attend 6 soccer games, 4 piano/violin practises, practise spelling words and math fact flash cards and still look forward to reading a book to my pajama clad, newly bathed kids. I loved those calm moments sharing a book before bed!
Enjoy sharing these wonderful moments of Topher, Maddie and Carolines childhood.
Number 2 and 3 made me smile. It is so Maddie. As for number 4, Tyler and I couldn't agree more. It is why I am often re-reading the same three books (Go Dogs Go, Nightmear in the Attic, and We're Going on a Bear Hunt) over and over again.
ReplyDeleteWe are greatful for you and Drew's willingness to help out that night! My kids woke up telling me what y'all did and how much they enjoyed Drew and Jessie! We hope to see a lot of y'all while we are all here relatively close.
BTW, we have a new place - in South Jordan. Your welcome to come over anytime!