If I only had a video camera rolling...

   I spent most of my day reliving my past. Tate, Ry, Carter & Azzi were a handfull this morning. Azzi is not amused by Carter's attempts to play with her. In all fairness to Azzi, his attempts generally start with some poking and maybe some throwing stuff at her. She responds in 2 year old fashion with a firm "NO NO". When she was playing with something, Carter wanted it. "NO, NO, AZZI's" Carter responds to NO by swinging his meaty little baby fists. Reaching back in time, I went for the "We love Azzi, we are soft to Azzi" and the "We share with our friends, Azzi." Neither were pleased but we moved from punching and yelling to Carter attempting to kiss Azzi (open mouth baby style) and her trying to hug him. He knocked her over about 10 times in a row trying this whole "we love our cousin" thing. She tolerated him until he threw a dinosaur at her head. After the crying and ice, Azzi forcefully pointed to the dinosaurs and then the mantle. In Azzi speak, that means "Put the dinosaurs a way, crazy lady, he just threw that at my HEAD!" Luckily, Azzi was saved by her Mother and got to go home to a Carter-free zone.
    This evening I was bathing Carter. He was very excited about it and enjoying the water while I cleaned the bathroom. Though my jeans were soggy from Carter splashing (which is more like throwing cups of water on you), I was getting some good cleaning done and he was happy. Until IT happened. I wish I had had a video camera. Poor kid tooted in the tub and the bubbles scared him to death! He looked at me with a scared look, looked down at where the bubbles had come from and started screaming and trying to climb out. While laughing I had to wrestle him back in to the water so I could wash the applesauce, peaches, syrup, etc. out of his hair. Poor baby! Hope he forgets before tomorrow's bath! This is what Azzi & Carter looked like while hugging...Well, while they fell to the ground as Carter tipped her over. Not a successfull photo op but indictitive of how toddlers roll.

     I realize again why I was always so tired! Toddlers are some serious work not to mention the 4 & 5 year olds that had to be refereed all day. This Mothering thing is always full of challenges but the Auntie gets to have fun with little people. Squeezes and kisses and spoiling. Then Aunt Laura gets to give them back to their parents for the Hard Stuff!