This one was requested by "Doc".  When I was little, we did family vacations once a year.  We did not do many vacations as a family when the kids were little.  "Doc" was a resident and then a new attending, starting his practice.  There was not much down time for him, so if a vacation happened it was me and the kids.  Anyway, I finally got a day with all of us together and wanted to take the kids to Sea World.  You are probably asking, "What kind of nut takes four small children to an amusement park?" Yeah, me.  I am not sure if "Doc" didn't like amusement parks before this day, but I know he wasn't a fan after.

"Mommy" loves horses.  The Royal Lippizaner's were performing at the small SeaWorld near us.  I convinced "Doc" that we should take his day off and relax with the kids at SeaWorld.   It was a beautiful summer day, not too hot or humid until.....  We pulled into the parking lot and started walking to the park. The kids were really excited, mostly "Mommy" and "Calvin", "Mini Me" was not even two and "The Blonde" was only eight weeks old.  We no sooner got into the park, then the sky opened up on us!  Rain poured, only for about ten or fifteen minutes but enough to soak us.  I convinced "Doc" to stay anyway and dried off and enjoyed the Lippizaner's.  It was worth every second and the rain just to watch "Mommy's" face light up!

After the show we walked around the park and enjoyed some other shows.  Maybe this day was going to work!  Not so soon.  We had to stop for a bathroom break.  We rested on a bench as we took the kids to the bathroom. "Doc" was holding "The Blonde" and keeping an eye on "Mini Me".  I no sooner got back to the bench with "Calvin" and "Mommy", "Mini Me" toddled right off the bench!  A lot of crying but no injury.  We can handle this, we are a doctor and a nurse, right?! Don't worry, we can still salvage the day.

So, we walked around an enjoyed more of the park and of course the kids got hungry.  First of all, the food at these parks is extremely expensive but that being said, everyone got a sandwich.  "Calvin" really wanted a Philly Steak sandwich.  I do not know why, because he had never had one before but he was getting one now.  He was so excited and talkative and everything for him was in high speed.  Did I mention that he was too excited to chew his food?  The next thing we knew, "Calvin" was choking and "Doc" pulled a piece of meat out of his mouth that I swear was a foot long.  I got "the look".  Come on, there were just a few small incidences, everyone was fine.  Let's just march on and enjoy a beautiful day with the kids!

It was finally time for the Shamu show.  "Calvin" and "Mommy" were pumped!  They wanted to get splashed, so we agreed to sit at the top of the "splash zone" so they could get splashed just a little. Why not, we had already been drenched by the rain earlier.  "Doc" always liked to hold the babies facing forward with his arm around them and his hand between the legs.  "The Blonde" was getting to watch Shamu too!  Wouldn't you know it, she pooped.  I took her to a nearby bathroom to change her diaper while the rest of the family watched the show.  After four kids, you get pretty quick at diaper changes, even really bad ones and this was a bad one that required an outfit change. 

"Doc" had a weird look on his face when I got back.  What could possibly be wrong now?!!  I sat down and he pointed to the man in front of us. He had what looked like mustard on his shoulder, but it wasn't mustard.  I don't know, maybe some dripped on him when I left with "The Blonde"!  What do we do?  Do we tell him?  How do we tell him?  "Excuse me sir, our baby pooped on you.  Sorry.  Why are you upset?  Birds do it to people!"  No, that didn't seem like it would go well.  If we don't say anything, maybe he won't notice.  Of course he will notice, his family will notice.  But he won't know it was from us.  What do we do?!  We did not have to decide after all.  Shamu did a massive jump and water sprayed  all the way up to our section and soaked the man in front of us!  We got a little wet, but not much.  There is a God! 

"Doc" had enough.  We were going home and there was no more convincing him that we were going to salvage this day.  So we had several disasters and it is one of the stories we love to laugh about.  This one's for you "Doc".  I love you.

It was not very often that "Doc" and I could get away for an evening.  Going overnight anywhere without the tribe was highly unusual.  Let's face it, if you could find someone willing to watch six energetic and creative kids the cost of paying one to three babysitters would be astronomical.  If I were to be honest, and I will, there were days when I did not want to watch them!

It may be one of the reasons "Ninja" and I became friends and why I love her.  She was crazy enough to take on that task!!!  You just have to hang on to a friend like that!

I truly do not remember where we went but I do remember that she had the kids alone with her during the evening. How do you entertain six kids? Parking them in front of a video game was not an option.  I did not allow those in the house.  They couldn't play outside because it was dark.  Here's an idea!  Hide and Seek in the Dark.  Sounds good right?

First we establish the rules.  Actually there was only one rule.  This is good - not a lot to remember in the heat of the game.  The rule is:  NO RUNNING!  An excellent rule, especially since we have a beam right in the middle of our kitchen.  They had a ball.  I can only imagine the giggles and screams as they scared each other in the dark! 

Until......   The lights were turned on and blood was found.  One look at the "Blonde" told the whole story.  As soon as the game started, she took off running and ran smack dab in the center of that kitchen beam.  Of course, she continued on so as not to interrupt the game and more importantly, she did not want to get in trouble for not following the rules. I am sure the "Ninja" went through a quick moment of panic.  "How do I tell my friend that I broke her child?"  No worries.  Remember, I know what my kids are capable of.