...just another day on the job...

"Attention Wal-Mart customers and associates. We have a CODE ADAM. He's an eight year old boy with autism wearing red headphones, last seen in the chip aisle."  Got him- he was 'just running away' shopping for pipe-cleaners.  Heart attack over and on to the next item of the daily agenda. Not much is new, just another day on the job.

Tell the kids they have to go to bed and two stay up most of the night. New Year's Eve rolls around. Tell the kids they can stay up all night and the same two go to bed early. Parents don't sleep, it's just another day on the job.

Take the kids sledding. Mom is tired and worn out from dressing everyone and walking up the hill- I sit in the snow and watch all of the other people fall down the mountain. Dad goes down the hill after four kids and back up again pulling three on the sled behind him. Monkey grew over the weekend and her pants and jacket were too short exposing bare skin. Duct tape keeps out the snow and serves the purpose of holding her clothes together... until she had to go potty. Tiger neglects to wear socks in his over sized boots (because one of his was 'gone forever and now he'll never play in the snow again') and he is done early in spite of the duct tape securing his boots to his ankles; mom and Tiger wait in the car for everyone else. Puppy was having a great time until she crossed paths with Rhino. Rhinoceros'  have poor eyesight and just charge. Our Rhino has poor power steering. With a slight curve he rammed his 125 lbs (plus the weight picked up with velocity and momentum and all that other science stuff I never learned) into the little 35 lb Puppy sending her sailing into the school building. Five cuts on her face and a bruise circumference worthy of bragging rights- we decided it may be time to go. No sweat. Just another day on the job.

Family trip to the movie Wreck it Ralph using dad's gift card (a gift from the kids they thought HE'D enjoy). Rhino has his fingers in his ears the whole time and chooses probably the most important point in the movie to use the restroom; as usual, mom will see it when it comes out on video. Tiger talks through the whole thing. He loudly encourages the actors, asks for more popcorn and soda and has no concern with the stranger sitting next to him. Puppy has to sit by dad setting up a game of musical chairs for the non-enjoyment of those seated behind us. Monkey can't hold still; she dumps the popcorn, spills the soda and starts jumping up and down while pulling on and kicking the seats in front of us. We finish our movie trying to minimize the discomfort of other patrons and make our exit while the room is still dark. No worries, just another day on the job.

Dad has to go back to his day job and all of the animals go wild. Two bottles of ketchup gone in five days (they were hidden for the first three). 2,500 Pipe-cleaners scattered across the living room. Pickle skins are left on my keyboard, desk and chair. The inner layer of mini-donuts can't be eaten so they are discarded and broken into crumbs on the couch, but why stop there, let's sprinkle them amongst the pipe-cleaners. An entire Costco-sized school of Goldfish go swimming in the boys room carpet. Stairs glisten in mini-marshmallow snow. The smell of french fries and sausage fill the microwave and blinds, table and chairs double as napkins. A shower is not in my near forecast but everyone's put on tornado watch. Children mimic congress and can't agree on anything, quiet time gets vetoed and everyone turns union and won't work without benefits and holiday pay... no need to change management, it's just another day on the job. 

Smiles, hugs, words of encouragement. Cool air, warm blankets and ten arms wrapped around my body. Giggling and singing. Gathering everyone together to end the day in thanks. Monsters scared off and potty flushed twenty (plus) times. All of that potty-ing makes them dehydrated; must drink more water... and get a snack. Tucked into bed and covers pulled close. The laundry, dishes and scattered messes wait while we venture into another place found only on the pages of our favorite books. Lights turned off, two nightlights per room turned on. A kiss is blown in my direction with soft words trailing behind, "Love you." Repeat four times. The world is beautiful and I am blessed with yet another day on the job...