2 vs 3

As I run around taking care of my 3 little ones I sometimes chuckle thinking about all the little things I let slide with 3 kids, then when I had just 2. The last few days, I've had this random list of comparisons running around in my head. I'm sure I am forgetting a few but here is a peak into my life with 3 kids versus my old life with 2.....

Carpooling

2 kids: I rarely wanted friends to drive my kids. I worried about such things like...what if they didn't have the right car seats or boosters? What if they were texting or making phone calls while driving (because I sure never do that). What if they forget to pick my kids up? Worry, worry, worry!

3 kids: The BEST thing ever! Love, love, love carpooling! Why did I not do this more before?! I'm so lucky to have met some awesome moms in our neighborhood that love to carpool too. As long as the car has seat belts and hopefully booster seats, they will be just fine. One less trip I have to make back to preschool. Yahoo!

Playdates

2 kids: Well of course they both need to have a well rounded social life. What 2 or 4 year old doesn't?! They need to see their friends. I always liked to think it was also so I could chat with friends too, but I have to be honest, rarely could I manage to carry on a decent conversation with a friend while trying to watch the kids. Someone is always throwing food or fighting....ok not all the time but most of the time. Just ask the barista at my old local Starbucks! When the kids were babies you could totally let them sit on the floor at someones house and play nicely which you had some much needed grown up conversation with mommy friends. These days it's just not a priority for us, which makes me a little sad, but I think it's just part of growing up.

3 kids: Seriously way too much effort most of the time! My oldest two go to school, they can see their friends there. Everyone has so many different schedules these days. With 3 kids it's hard to just find the time to relax and hangout as a family some days. Since our move Noah and Brooke have become such great buddies, it's been one of those little blessings I never expected. Most days they even race to see who can play with Luke when he wakes up from his nap. We still love to have friends over when we can and carpooling is almost always involved. It's even more fun when a mommy friend calls unexpectedly and asks if they can bring Noah home after preschool to entertain their little one so they don't have too - my answer "why YES, of course!" Honesty at it's best....I love it and love doing the same thing when I'm organized enough to think of it. We are definitely enjoying the laid back, neighbor yelling off their deck to see if your kids want to come over and play, kind of lifestyle in Colorado.

House cleaning

2 kids: I like a clean house, I just do ok. I always have. My mom will tell you she never had to tell me to clean my room. While my sister stuffed all her clothes and toys under our bunk bed, I wanted everything organized and tidy. I like to vacuum and with 2 kids and 2 pets I vacuumed alot. Friends even tried to pop in just to see if I wasn't vacuuming before they showed up. My cleaning lady who came every 3 weeks to clean the bathrooms was heaven sent.

3 kids: As long as the dishes are clean, the laundry isn't piling too high and you aren't covered in dog hair it's a good day. It does help our backyard isn't a swamp 9 months out of the year so the dog isn't tracking in mass amounts of mud. I hate mopping and rarely take the time to clean the floors. I don't have a house cleaner anymore, though now I probably need one more then ever. Don't worry visitors...I'll clean up before you visit.

Laundry

2 kids: I could let it go for a few days....no big deal. I always made sure to sort the lights from the darks. This mama was always the one to put it all away.

3 kids: Unless I want the kids to run out of clothes or have my super tiny narrow laundry room filled to the brim, a couple of loads have to be done everyday. It all gets tossed in, I haven't ruined too many things yet. I still fold the laundry, but the kids are in charge of getting it up to their rooms and put away. Even Luke carries his up to his room, minus a few items that get dropped going up the stairs.

Date nights

2 kids: I would try to get a sitter or ask my parents every few months to watch Brooke and Noah. It was nice to go out alone with out kids but not a big deal if we haven't in a while. Dinner at Crazy Sushi was about as wild as things got. Always home around 9 or 10, to make sure the kids were ok or let my parents drive home before they fell asleep on our couch.

3 kids: If I could I would have a sitter every Saturday night! It's been tough finding someone but we finally have and she is awesome! My usual questions before we leave, "how late can we stay out?"

School

2 kids: I'm not sure if I'm ready to send them yet. What if I miss them, what if they miss me? What if they aren't with any of their friends? What if the teacher isn't nice?

3 kids: When can I sign them up!

Some of my friends are still convinced I haven't change my ways, but many only saw me briefly with 3 kiddos before we moved to Colorado. Oh if you could see me now. I'm so happy these 3 have helped me slow down and relax a bit, because I've learned I just can't do it all and still be the mommy I want to be....and I'm slowly learning that's ok! It's a crazy busy life but we love it!