This is Why Kids Are Born as Little Sleepy Babies

I used to babysit for a living. Back in high school, that is. Back when I had MUCH more energy than I have now. Tonight I revisited those days for just a few hours. I watched my "niece" and "nephew" while their parents went to a school meeting. Savannah is five. Liam is about a year and a half. Pick just one of them, and you'll find more energy than I have in my right arm. Add both of them together, and WOW. You parents...you're my heroes.

The evening was actually very fun, and I would do it all over again...right after I take a nap. But in the space of two hours, I was declared a tree branch (which meant I had to lay on the floor, have a beanbag chair placed on my back, and Savannah "the bird" took flying leaps into "the nest" I supported. When we were done with that, we took turns donning the empty Lego bucket on our heads. When Liam wore it, it came down over his shoulders and he roamed the house, randomly colliding with furniture, walls, you name it. When Savannah wore it, she spent so much time giggling and listening to her voice echo inside that she got the hiccups. When I wore it...well it didn't really fit me. My head's too big. (Phats, don't you dare comment on that.) But she was determined to make it fit, leaving me with some interesting head pains. We tried reading, but Liam kept stealing the books. He also tried ripping my earrings out of my ears. That was lotsa fun.

And then there are the "interesting moments" - like when I looked up in time to see Liam licking the mop. He was not happy when I took it away, but I just didn't think it was the best activity.

Or the moment when Savannah was trying to explain to me how to use the remote to play the DVD (why is it ALWAYS the children who have to explain the electronics to the adults?) and when I pressed the wrong button, she said to me, "You gotta listen to me, girl!" GIRL?? What happened to "Aunt Bekah?"

In the middle of all of that, we took lots of pictures, some of which Savannah insisted upon taking herself. I was trying to teach her to hold the camera still for a second after the flash while it captures...that took several tries. All to get a picture of the princess on the screen. And you can know that I was not about to figure out that remote enough to successfully pause and un-pause.

The evening was so great - nothing beats the hugs and kisses of nieces and nephews. But I have definitely concluded that this is why kids aren't born as toddlers and preschoolers. Parents have to work up to that energy level.