When you're up, you're up

Is it ironic life can be summed up in the old childhood song about the Grand Old Duke of York?

When you're up, you're up. When you're down, you're down. When you're only half way up, you're neither up nor down. Life can be a daily struggle. Some days are better than others. These ideas came to me after reading a friends blog. Being a stay at home mom comes with many challenges.

Today, I am happy to report we are Up! You never know what might bring you down. Or there are days where you are just in the middle somewhere, in limbo? Or is that too negative? Maybe content is a better word. One needs to just take it one day at a time. Stay on the straight path according to Hermie. There are many things we can learn from the childhood cartoons.

Tonight, we have our first over night guests who are not my parents. My friend and her husband go away every year with his co-workers. All her babysitters backed out on her and she was facing not being able to go. I volunteered for the job. This has been in the works for a month now. We have high hopes for a great time. Today, the kids celebrate reading at school. First grade was able to invite a special guest to come to school. This person gets to bring a snack, blanket to read on, stuffed animal and a bag of books. Our wonderful neighbor is going to go with Six. He was thrilled. Since I have Zinnia's kids today, I am not able to pick up the three kids at school. Her oldest will get a ride here from her special person. The boys will get to ride home with Miss D. They are most excited to get to ride in her car. I found this quite humorous. They discussed it all week. She has a PT Cruiser. They kept referring to it as "her little car."After school we will have a hot game of bingo. I have a cage, balls, cards, the whole works! We have treats for prizes and everyone will win. We will make our own pizzas tonight and then finish with a movie. The original Parent Trap is our movie of choice. We made beds for the girls in the "girl room." And a bed for J in "the boy room." They were dropped off this afternoon and barely acknowledged their parents departure. The ran upstairs with their blankets and moved right in. I am so thankful they are comfortable here. That is the reason I said yes. They are great kids and get along very well with ours. So...as the three younger ones are in the basement, pretending they are going to a hotel, I have time to write this. Cinnamon rolls and pizza crust are rising on the counter. Looking forward to a fun filled Friday evening at home.