We were living in our first apartment in Winnetka, and decided to take all the kids out for ice cream, as a treat. It may have been one of the first times we were able to have my twins overnight, I don't remember. There was much excitement, as you can imagine. We made sure that we discussed with the kids, on the way to the parlor, what our expectations were. When we arrived, the store had some patrons at tables but not too many. One elderly couple caught my eye and I made sure that we took up tables away from them, as to not disturb them. Placing an order for 7 people takes a bit of time but seating those 7 is another story. We pushed some tables together and made due with what we could. Once our order came, everyone was happily eating and conversing. It made me so happy to see all of the kids enjoying each other's company and being together. It is the same feeling I get every Saturday night, when we all have dinner together as a family.
Well, kids will be kids and they started getting a little silly and a little loud. Amy and I did our best to settle everyone back down, and they were pretty good. It was a good outing, on the whole. What happened next, I never expected. I was talking to one of the children when the woman of the elderly couple approaches our table. I was getting ready to steel myself because I thought maybe the kids were a little too loud for them. She leans over to Amy and I and says that she was watching us and that we had the most well behaved and respectful children she had seen. She also told us to keep up the good work. To say I was speechless, was an understatement. I croaked out a barely audible, "thank you," and turned to Amy and almost broke down.
I had never had anything like that happen before. It has happened since, but that first time was truly mind blowing. We know our group can be overwhelming. There are 5 very different personalities and each one is more outgoing than the last. To keep everyone on task can be difficult if you aren't on the top of your game. Luckily, I have a great partner to work with. We parent well together, picking up where the other may be missing, without having to ask for the help. We constantly read the situation and assess what is needed, and then jump right in. It is too easy for our bunch to get out of control, and difficult to reign in, once that happens. We try to ride that edge of letting them have as much fun as possible, without getting too silly.
If someone told me I would be a parent of 5 children, I would have told them they were crazy. Now, I can't imagine a day without them.
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