As my friend Laura always says, “It’s on like Donkey Kong.”

And so it was – three days into the strike we were back in full blown summer mode.

Twins in the Pack and Play

Our friend Jenn threw down the gauntlet – A day at the beach.

These were some of the most fun days we had over the summer. They were also the most difficult to organize.

It takes me a good hour to make food, organize all the toys, towels, chairs, umbrella, repack the diaper bag, yada, yada, yada, and fit it all, along with a wagon, pack & play, and double stroller in the trunk of our car.

But at the end of every beach day I realize it was all worth it. Each beach day is a blast. Each beach day is completely different from the one before. Having the largest sandbox combined with the largest zero depth entry pool makes for endless possibilities.

As we did most of the summer, we invited Jack’s buddy Tim. Tim attended Jack’s preschool and also won one of the precious few lottery spots at his new school. A bit more work in the beginning to have an extra kid around, but a lot less work once we are there. Jack never tells me he’s bored and wants to go home when Tim is around. Ben loves him too.

Ice Cream Break

Much as I’m enjoying our endless summer, I’m a bit worried about how long they are out of school. I heard when the strike is over they tack the days the kids missed on to the end of the year. I just hope that June next year isn’t as hot as it was this year, Jack’s classroom doesn’t have air conditioning!

Pam’s idea to keep our kids really bored every day of the strike ended today. Let’s face it, we were given a bonus of time with our kids and other CPS kids during one of the most beautiful months of the year. Why not go out and enjoy it?

Emma, Angus and Jack

So, we met Pam and our other friend Jennifer at the Blue Park, the real name is actually South Lakeview Playground. Jennifer wasn’t there when we arrived, just her daughter was. Jennifer was at the doctor’s office on an emergency visit getting the acorn that her two year old had wedged up his nose out.

Angelica Feeding Sam

Otherwise it was a perfectly lovely day, almost like summer was still here. We had been given the gift of MORE summer! I just have to keep thinking of it that way when the kids are fighting with each other and I am at my wits end juggling them all.

One difference from summer is now Angelica instead of Kristen helps with the kids and listened to my non stop ramblings. I feel bad that Angelica, our other sitter, didn’t like her job and quit. But it’s such a windfall for me! I’m so pleased that I continue to get such great helpers for my kids. I’m very lucky.

Can’t wait to see what other strike days bring…

I must have jinxed myself this summer. Since the twins were born people often ask me how I’m doing. I kept telling them, “All I have to do is make it to September when the older two are in school, then I’ll be fine.”

Today was suppose to be Ben’s first day at school, Jack has been in school a week.

I had plans to redo the closets for fall clothes, clean up all the cabinets in the kitchen that are a mess, go back to the gym and start working out again, and so much more.

But right now I’m still sitting in my jammies at 9am and everyone is at home. Why? Because the Chicago Teacher’s Union is ON STRIKE.

So far I’ve been up from 2am – 4am feeding babies, then up for good at 5:50am with Aaron, then Sam 10 minutes later, then Jack 15 minutes after that. Ben brought up the rear around 15 minutes after that.

Adam kept trying to leave for work, but there were too many babies crying coupled with older kids doing naughty things. I finally got both babies down for their first nap and he exited quickly before another emergency emerged.

Luckily Adam had the foresight to hire the sitter for an 11am start instead of her normal 2:30pm arrival. I just have to make it until then.

My first instinct was to book a play date, but after speaking with my friend Pam I decided against it. She said she was trying to make it as boring as possible for her kids so that they would want to go back to school.

Probably a good idea given Jack’s first week at school. I’ve already been pulled aside by the teacher to talk about Jack’s behavioral problems. Apparently he does not want to do anything the teacher asks, refusing to move onto new activities when prompted.

Okay, two more hours to go until help arrives. Wish me luck.

Yesterday afternoon Adam’s Aunt Aloha and Uncle Ronnie came to see the twins.

They live in California and were in town for Aloha’s 50th high school reunion.

They are also proud parents of four children and every time they come to visit they are very good with all our kids.

Within a minute of them entering the house I had them both on baby duty.

I handed the kids over then, half jokingly said, “Well, I guess I can go now.”

Only the fact that Adam had taken the older boys out this morning kept me there, feeling refreshed and in the mood for conversation.

When Adam came back he said, “Did you rest?”

No, I didn’t. The twins were on opposite schedules so one was up at all times. But I still felt like he gave me a big break from the normal ridiculous hectic days I have during the week.

With only two around, I cleaned the entire house, did the laundry, prepped lunch and even make a zucchini bread. I had so much time. I can’t believe that I’m writing this, but only having two infants around was so easy! Please teachers, don’t strike!

Who is the jerk that snuck into our family picture?!

Adam’s childhood friend and long time buddy Steve generously gave us his White Sox tickets to last night’s game. They were incredible seats WITH a parking pass.

The game was ‘Half way to St Paddy’s Day’ and they gave out green Sox hats to celebrate. The south side of Chicago is known for it’s big population of Irish and these hats plus the bag pipe procession before the game confirmed it. Jack thought it was hilarious that the men in kilts were wearing skirts.

It was a cool, crisp evening. One that reminds you that falling leaves, apple picking, and Halloween are just around the corner.

We hardly ever come to the south side of Chicago. Even though we were only a couple miles from home, the mirror image of the skyline made me feel like we were in a different city altogether.

This was my first time to Cellular field. As one of the mom’s from Jack’s school said – it’s like a shopping mall. And so it was!

I was very pleased with the food and wine selection. We’ve come a long way when I can get a choice of 10 different wines by the glass and eat a veggie burger at a ball park.

I loved how they shot fireworks off at the beginning of the game and for every home run. The kids waited eagerly for the next show.

Besides the fireworks, there were other things that made it much more friendly for kids. They had a kid area, “Fundamentals”, where they could bat, pitch, and do other things that we didn’t manage to see, due to a potty emergency. I guess it’s something to look forward to next time…

Embolden by my shopping trip yesterday, I decided to venture out for a play date this morning.

Here is what I felt I needed for a two hour stay at the park. The double stroller is already in the trunk. I’m pleased to say I used most of it.

Ben picked his outfit today and decided that 5 year old shorts and rain boots on this sunny, 85° day would be perfect. The twins look like they are second guessing the attire. I guess it was better than yesterday, when he decided to pick Jack up from school in his Hulk halloween costume.

Once again I was shocked at how well it went. Except for a bit of crying on the way home, the twins were angels. They didn’t need constant holding and played peacefully in the pack and play. Since I didn’t have a free hand, Ben very nicely held the stroller until we entered the park.

Pam helped me carry our stuff back to the car, but we made it there on our own and were all set up by the time everyone else arrived.

Max and Hamish Play with the Twins

This week Jack is in school but Ben doesn’t start until next week. However, my fall schedule has kicked in. This means I will only have a helper when I have all four kids to care for after school. In the mornings I’m on my own.

I planned to lay low all week and not do much before help arrived. What could I possibly accomplish with three kids under 3?

But yesterday I realized we were not going to make it through the week without more wipes, diapers or formula. So, I took a leap of faith and did this…

This picture was taken by my friend Pam, who I ran into by chance. She has three kids but only had one with her this morning. Ironically when I saw her she was completely frazzled. The school had just called because she didn’t leave a change of clothes for her kid and he had an accident. The other child who was with her just had a big poop and needed changing. She came in for some umbrellas for the kids and left $168 lighter with no umbrellas to speak of. She should probably start her own blog, she’s got a great sense of humor and these things seem to happen to her daily.

After target we made it over to Costco. This time I had one car seat in the cart, Ben up front sitting in the cart, and a twin strapped to my chest.

Somehow it all worked out. Seven trips back and forth to the car later we were in the house and ready for lunch. I was very proud of myself, but I also realized it was sheer luck they all behaved.

Other super mom feats I accomplished this morning – making a peanut butter sandwich one handed while holding a baby in the other and breast feeding standing up while holding a baby in one arm and patting another one on his back to sooth him to sleep.

This morning Jack started Kindergarten.

Luckily we’ve both been trained by two years of preschool. I knew the drill. I packed his lunch, I handed him his clothes, I kissed him goodbye. He and Adam walked out the door together. No tears for anyone.

It will be a totally different experience for him today, but for me it was just another year.

Jack expressed some nervousness about his new school. He was worried about the ‘big kids’. I felt bad for him and wished I could be with him to hold his hand and fend off these invisible ‘big kids’. When further probed, he was actually talking about 6 year olds. Ironically he’s bigger than most 6 year olds we’ve met!

As for me, anytime I’m down a kid things seem easier. In reality they are still difficult. I don’t have a stroller to fit all these kids so we are stuck at home. Running an errand would be impossible. There are more kids than can reasonably fit in a cart.

This morning both babies were tired for their nap at the same time so I had to take turns nursing and letting them cry while Ben sat outside the nursery door in his underwear, kicking the door for my attention. I was sweating by the end of it.

But there was victories as well. Ben pooped in the potty without me having to remind or push him. I just walked by and saw him sitting on the potty all by himself. It was amazing. This week while Jack is at school I’m working on getting him to pull his own pants down to pee. He may just make it to school after all! (His first day is next week)

“What are the odds our kids have two foot injuries in one weekend?” Adam asked me as we were all driving over to the emergency room this Labor Day afternoon.

I don’t know. What are the odds we would have twins? What are the odds that a girl who lives in China ends up meeting her future husband, who lives in Chicago, at a wedding in Jamaica? Maybe we do have a chance at winning the lottery after all, I thought. I’d almost given up.

Yesterday Ben fell off a chair and hurt his foot. He has been walking on the outside of his right foot since then. He didn’t cry much and was very cheerful, completely undisturbed by this new limp he’d developed.

We wondered if perhaps he’d broken his toe? He didn’t seem bothered enough, though.

“It’s Ben!” Adam and I exclaimed, as we often do when this cheerful, good natured boy takes something in stride.

Jack pulled opened his costume drawer this morning so hard that it fell all the way out and landed on his foot. The base of his big toe nail started turning purple. Unlike Ben, he cried a lot and expected to be carried all day.

After a lot of ice and heavy lifting, Adam decided to bring them both in, just in case.

The doctor determined that Ben’s cheery attitude signified that his foot and toe were fine.

They did an ex-ray on Jack. No damage either. Thank goodness.

Next month Adam will be kicking himself that we switched to the high deductible insurance now that we are finished with the baby making years.

More Labor Day Entertainment – Jack builds Ben a ‘fort’ in our bed.