LESSONS FROM A BIG FAMILY.

We acquired six extra kids this past weekend, and boy was it fun. We coerced some of our favorite friends into taking a weekend away with a promise to keep track of their brood for three days. With our two, we totaled eight kids from age fifteen down to age one. To be honest, it was a lot of fun.

Six extra kids spurred lots of conversation with Jimmy and I and has given me lots to think about. Here are a few things I learned in three days with a big family.

Parents learn from experience. Ask me about sleeping, eating, teething, playing, tantrums up to age three and I'm a semi-expert. After age three, I am clueless. I left from our weekend feeling very grateful that I have a lifetime to learn through each phase of my children. Don't ask me how to deal with teens or pre-teens for that matter, because I haven't crossed that bridge quite yet.

I need a son. Not that we are raising the daintiest of daughters around here, but there is an element of rowdiness that only a boy can add. Our girls run and jump and wrestle, but it comes much more naturally to a boy and adds a fun feeling of activity to a home. I enjoyed my three adopted sons this weekend, and their sporting events too. Of course we'll love what we are given, but I think a son would be a blast.

Big families can sure make a mess, but they can clean it up too. I was amazed by the continuous amount of dishes pumping through their little dishwasher, and even more so by the quantity of crumbs that made their way to the floor after each meal. But, the best part is seeing a big family all pitch in and get things picked up quickly. Some days I imagine when I'll have my team of happy helpers, right Hannah and Kate?

Sign me up for a Masters in Organization, because it takes just that. Our friends left us with a very detailed calendar of events for the weekend. Pick-up times, drop-off times, games, practices, lessons all had to be orchestrated and planned for. Jimmy and I had some very focused conversations planning our method of attack to make sure everyone got where they needed to be. I seriously haven't used my problem solving skills like that in a long time.

It takes a team. Maybe the reason I had so much fun was seeing my husband shine. I think he is meant to have a big family. If lots of kids are in our future, I will definitely not be able to do it without him.

Families are fun. I am assuming that our weekend children were on their best behavior, but they were a lot of fun. We spent Friday evening on a blanket with Little Caesars and seven kids, cheering on the oldest brother at his baseball game. The kids wrestled and played and my girls were in heaven. We had no major mis-haps, only push-up competitions and races. It was neat to see the kids enjoy each other.

There you have it. Lessons learned from a very short experience of having eight kids. I am amazed by all of you full-time mamas of large families (large being more than two kids). And, since our family is not totally planned (we are hoping for the  four to six range, right Jimmy?), I would love to hear what you love about having a large family. Please share.