A Little Taste of Motherhood

Last week I babysat three kids while their parents went on a trip to Hawaii then Arizona for 8 days. These people used to be in my ward, but I hadn't seen them in... I don't know how long... three years? So, I was a bit worried to start. Day by day, I had to wake up early, get the kids up and ready, feed them, myself and get myself ready, then send them to the neighbors' so I could leave and get myself to school on time. I would also take care of them after school into the nighttime and stay the night at their house. I always ended up going to bed two hours earlier than I normally do, because I'd be so exhausted. Some days I had to take the girls to piano, singing lessons, or tumbling, all of which I got lost to by the way. :)
The oldest girl (9) is a picky eater and competitive in everything she does or plays. In the morning I would make her lunch (tortilla chips and baby carrots, sometimes a little baggie of cocoa puffs) and when she'd come home she'd pull her lunch out of her backpack, left the way I'd made it (minus the cocoa puffs if I put some in there). After giving me her lunch back, she'd ask for two hot dogs and a bag of popcorn, all for herself.
The middle child (boy, age 7) is funny but knows all the buttons to push on his sisters. He and his older sister would get in the biggest fights, yelling and screaming at each other, hitting each other. Oh my heck... I don't know how many times I had to separate them. He was also the child I literally had to drag out of bed in the morning.
The youngest child (girl, age 5) is so cute, and sweet. She was often the peace maker, but had trouble making herself heard most of the time. All she wanted was someone to listen to her. Toward the end of the week, she did get more and more whiney, however. She'd cry for her mom all the time, which was understandable, I just didn't know how to cheer her up then.
Each day I had to make sure the kids got their homework done, picked up after themselves, and had them fed. The thing that bugged me the most was the germs. I was always reminding them to wash their hands after using the bathroom, except the youngest. Ironically, she'd do it on her own will.

On the other hand, there were moments where I'd have one on one talks with each of the kids, usually about school or how their day went. Those moments were really tender, I can see why a mother would say they love their role. :)