Life's little instruction manual...

This is day 2 of our trip to Ohio (yes, it's a little out of order. I will post other stuff when I get home). Enjoy!

Instructions for WHAT DO TO WITH 4 CHILDREN (under the age of 3 1/2)...

A life lesson by Rachel Holloway and Sarah Farrell

Do not assume that a 7 passenger mini-van will hold 7 people...once you have 4 car seats in there, it really turns into a 6 passenger with a "no-fight" zone. :) Also, be sure to check ALL car seat seat belts every time you get in/out of the car as your 3 year old might have unbuckled her booster while trying to buckle Buzz Lightyear in his seat...

(at least Buzz was safe...who KNOWS how long her seat was unbuckled!!)

If children outnumber adults, don't attempt getting around if you can't restrain all mobile parties with selective hearing. :)

Bring LOTS AND LOTS of treats...
Do not....I repeat, DO NOT take children who like to touch things to any place that has roped off areas and big signs that say "DO NOT TOUCH".

If there are only 2 adults, do not volunteer to watch ALL 4 children by yourself while your sister goes on a tour of this great historical building...If so, you will find yourself not even able to make it 15 feet from the car to the front door of the visitor's center without a bloody lip, an attempted runaway, an urgent potty request, and 3 cries/screams filling the air. The 4th will not be crying but will be wandering around looking at (and picking) the landscaping...You will then have to accept help from the good Samaritan who will then watch half the children while you clean up a bloody face and wipe a bum.The rest of the 10 years you are waiting (okay, only 35 minutes) you will find yourself engaged in a new exercise routine that goes something like this...

RUN, LIFT, WALK, SET DOWN

RUN, LIFT, WALK, SET DOWN

PLAY A SHORT GAME OF PEEK-A-BOO

DANCE IN A CIRCLE

WARD OF GLARES FROM THE EMPLOYEES

RUN, LIFT, WALK, SET DOWN...

Repeat 554 times until your sister GLORIOUSLY returns from her tour and you then have a big diaper-changing party in the bathroom where anyone who can't be held at one time will proceed to play in the toilets and string toilet paper all over the seat.Pretend it didn't happen and leave as quickly as possible so that one adult can run ahead and create a barricade in front of the gift shop while you lead the troops back outside.

Once all children are buckled in, take a deep breath and drive to the closest Chuck-e-cheese. Divide up your tokens evenly so that each child can have a chance to go on some rides and play some games. When your 3 year old keeps going on rides when he tokens are gone, don't assume people gave her more tokens...instead, watch closely to see which table she is climbing on and stealing them from. :)

Eat expensive, low-quality pizza...it is part of the experience. :)

When the time comes to go home, make sure you let the 3 year old trade her tickets in for a little pink, plastic lizard that she will refer to as "Oscar" all the way home while the other children are crying and whining.
Upon returning home, place children in water, read them a story, and place in bed for 10-12 (maybe 15???) hours.