The triplet factor

I sometimes question whether my helicopter, semi-attachment, I have some OCD issues style of parenting complicates life.  I don't want to be one of those moms but man, this is tough.  My nerves are already frayed from work and there seems to be more bickering, toy fighting and button pushing than normal at home these days.  And then there's everything else that goes along with having three kids the same age.  I can only take so much.

Overall, my kids are well behaved but even well behaved kids have their moments and I think we may have reached the stir crazy phase of summer.  I can't even imagine what it would be like if they were little terrors.  I know. I'm lucky.

So anyway, Grammy mentioned to me a few weeks ago that the girls, especially Allie, had been asking if they could spend the night at her house.  The girls usually takes turns spending a weekend alone with Grammy and Papa during the summer but had yet to do so this year.  We found two days that worked for all of us and our schedules and off Allie went with her grandparents.  There's comfort on my end knowing that she can enjoy time away and not be homesick.  Before we buckled her into Grammy's car, hugs were given by everyone.  Allie was visibly excited to go but added, "Awww, I'm going to miss sissies.  I'm going to miss Anna's funny jokes and playing with Emily."  More hugs.

I could not believe how much easier the bedtime routine (and meals, etc.) was with only two kids.  Everything took less time.  There was less noise.  It was a bit weird.  I know it's all relative and when you go from three to two, it's natural to say, "OMG, there's a huge difference," but you know what?  There is a huge difference.  And I'm sure everyone with four or more kids is laughing at me right now.

Allie had a great time away and the timing couldn't have been better.  She requires a lot of attention sometimes and had been in one of her phases.  I swear this kid needs to go into acting or something.  One day last month, she told us that she had an imaginary pet dog named Boy.  Boy's existence came about on the drive home from their cousin's birthday party.  When we arrived home, someone "accidentally" stepped on Boy and then Boy died or was seriously injured and Allie was crying, "Boy!  Boy! Oh no, Boy!"  You could see that she was faking but there were real tears.  At least she's entertaining.

When I asked Allie if she had missed me while away, she responded with, "Not really that much."  Thanks, kid.

When the girls were babies, Rich and I dreamed that when they turned five (or six or seven), glitter would fall from the sky and life would magically transform into a much easier version of what it was.  That has yet to happen but I'm so very happy with the life that we do have. I just need more sleep.  And a vacation or two.  And less stress at work.