Back from Vacation

If parenting six kids has taught me anything, it's that parenting anything under six kids is a flippin' walk in the park.

In our herd, we have just about every flavor monkey you can imagine. We have monkeys with learning differences. Monkeys that are brilliant. Monkeys that are bossy, monkeys that smell (good or bad, we're not particular), monkeys that whine, monkeys that are amazingly kind, monkey that are dour, monkeys that are hilarious and on any given day, monkeys that are all of the above.

No joke.

So when I decided to go as the SOLO parent to Disneyland with all the monkeys that were available-- which turned out to be only the 3 that I birthed-- I was completely undaunted. In fact, so used to the million monkey march am I, that I invited one of my sister's kids to go with us, to make up for the dramatic loss in numbers.

Oh my GAWD, I am so AWESOME.

FACT: I did take 4 kids to Disneyland, and I was the only parent.

FICTION: I am not awesome. My sister's kid is easier to parent than... something really easy to parent. I don't know what that would be. He is compliant, helpful, kind, mannerly, easy to be around, witty, and distinctly likable, at least in a 2 and a half day stint. We didn't get to day 3, so I have no idea if he smells like fish at that point.

But I will say with all the sincerity that I can muster, it was an easy trip. Mostly because my sister's kid, like my oldest, is 14. He is also my oldest son's best friend. And he and my son hung out with my 11-year old, who felt super cool in the company of teenagers (even if it did include his older brother). So my trip to Disneyland as the solo parent largely consisted of me entertaining my four-year old.

Which if parenting six kids has taught me anything, it's that parenting my four-year old is the hardest thing EVER in human existence... but generally only when she is hungry or tired. Or breathing.

FACT: Hanging out with a four-year old in Disneyland just might be the best way to experience the wonder of that place.

No Fiction.

It was a great trip.