You Have How Many Kids?!?

I went to Kmart this week to let the kids pick out a Father's Day present. Since it is easier to contain all four kids at once if all or most of them are in a cart, I pulled a cart over to the van and started the unbuckling/unloading process.

As I put W in the cart, I noticed a lady waiting for me to finish so she could get in her car, which was parked right next to me.

"Sorry." I tell her.

"No problem. I've been there."

Great! No Hurry. She has kids. She understands.

Unload S.

Lady moves forward, as if thinking I must be done and she can get in her car, then pauses as I unload Z.

"Wow!" She exclaims wide eyed, seeing three kids in the cart.

I can't help it. I smile, then say, "Oh, the babies still in there!" I anticipate some fun reaction while  walking around the van to unload B. It takes a significant effort on my part not to laugh.

Shock and awe ensue.

Silence.

"Good for you!" is all she can come up with.

Yep! I love the reactions I get taking all four kids places. I think it is one of the reasons I take them places. It is just too much fun! And having my four kids really is good for me! They give me purpose. And I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Some of the "fun" reactions we have had (the best of which have happened since we left Utah and have really become a novelty):

• "Are they all yours?" (This question is usually directed towards Michael. I'm always tempted to say something like, "Well the blond we aren't sure about, but the others look somewhat like him, so we are pretty sure about them." or "They are actually handing them out for free at Walmart. Just walk around and find one you like!" but I haven't been that brave yet).
• "You know how that happens, don't you?!?" (Ummm...No, would you mind explaining?)
• "Are you going to have more?" or "Did you plan that?" (Since it's your business, lets chat about it for a while).
• "Oh there's four! I thought there were only three!" (I get that all the time, and it is usually the first thing they say to me. Sorry you can't count people! Lucky for your there aren't five or we'd have a real problem).
• "Two boys and two girls. You planned that just right." (Actually, its like I tell my kids, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." No planning involved).
• "How old are they?" Or some other form or "How far apart are they?" (Always said in a tone of shock or terror because they are all so little. Side anecdote: When I was pregnant with W, I was talking to my Granddad, and this subject came up. He said he was once asked how far apart two of his girls were and he replied "Nine months and one hour!" He said that quieted the questioner right away! Way to go Granddad!!!)
• And so on... I'm sure you have a list of your own.

Some people hate all the questions and prying from complete strangers. I did too, at first. Now, they are a good conversation starter. I can avoid answering the question they asked if they really are just awkward or rude and steer the conversation towards something more pleasant, I have had several fun conversations with first time grandparents while waiting for a table at Bob Evan's or with mothers of grown children in the line at Walmart because I'm quite the sight with my four kids. Then, on my own or with my husband, I laugh about the encounter and, if it's a new "fun" reaction to our kids, I write it down! I've decided it much more fun to laugh it off then to take it personally.  People don't mean to be rude, for the most part. They just don't see many families with four small kids running around. So when they do, make it memorable for them! Or at least a pleasant encounter.