Goodbye Games

It was sad to see the Olympic closing ceremony. I just love the Olympics. The excitement of the races keeps me on the edge of my seat. I often feel like it is me, who is representing our country, but may be because that person is representing all of us. The close races and the last second scores to win make me jump and yell. I really enjoyed watching my girls enjoy the games. Who knew that a 5 and 3 year old would be interesting in fencing..."Look Mommy! They have SWORDS!?!? Are they pointy?" Now my girls want to dive, fence, be gymnasts, swimmers, and run track. I really miss the Olympics, now I have nothing to watch on TV so it is off again.

But really I have nothing to be sad about because I have my very own Olympics every day! Except I do things like hurdle the dog while carrying a full laundry basket and how fast can I change a diaper before she poops again. And when I say it is Fast Shower Night, I can get Lou and Rae in and out of the shower in three minutes. Lou and Rae also have their own versions of the Olympic games. The bench to the table has transformed into a balance beam, the bed is now a trampoline, and the bathtub is unfortunately not big enough to swim laps in nor dive into, but my girls have figured out a way to make it happen...bloody lips and all.

Did you know a three year old can clean her room faster with her feet than her hands? How about that Lou that can take off her shoes while standing on her head? Get this, I bet my baby can spit up further than your baby! Don't get me started on the loudest toots or burps...

I have an event that my husband cannot understand. How long can I be on the phone and talk while my kids fight in the background? They'll work it out, eventually...that one is an endurance test, kind of like the Tour de France. But you, the person on the other end of the phone has to tolerant it to so then it is kind of like a stare off...the first one to say gotta go first looses.

Mulit-tasking is like the decathlon. I can cook, help the kids with changing doll clothes, play a game, check my email, clean the bathroom, do laundry, throw the ball for the dog, all while talking on the phone...I think I see a theme building...the phone talking olympics...

A big game that not many can endure is the game of repetition. How many times in a row can you read a book, laugh at something that was really funny only the first time, hear "Mommy" be called from all areas of the house and make it to each one within one minute. If there is no blood and nothing is broken move on. How long can you answer a question. "Mommy what does...?" Answer. "Why?" Answer. "Why?" Answer. "Why?"....and so on.

There is that whole baby Olympics too. Diaper toss, bath the slippery baby, clip nails without clipping the skin, putting socks on moving feet, how long does it take to rock a baby to sleep and stay awake yourself...all test of endurance and accuracy.

Every day is an adventure and fun. I do not need to have the Olympic games to entertain me, but I am sure going to miss it. Looking forward to Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

I wonder how the girls are going to pretend to ski jump...