Now, I am old.

I got home late this afternoon.

I was babysitting my grandchildren for the past six days.

I realized something very important while I was away.

I am old.

I am glad I had my children when I was in my twenties.

Back then I could run, and jump, and I was strong.....like bull!!

Now....I am old.

In my twenties, I could stay up late, and get up early.

I could go up and down the stairs, at least one hundred times a day without breaking into a sweat. 

The house was clean by ten o'clock, and laundry was hung on the line before that!!!

The kids were fed, and dressed, and ready to play outside before Sesame Street came on.

Now....I am old.

Now, the grandchildren come into the room where I am snoring, and shake me awake to tell me they are hungry.

Would I please get up and fix breakfast before it's time for lunch?!

Plus, they want to go swimming, and that means I have to clean the pool......after getting out of my pajamas, and cleaning up from breakfast, and making beds, and starting laundry.

By the time everyone finally gets into the pool, and I am relaxing in the sun, Olivia (who is three) has to go to the bathroom.

I get her wet suit off and back on again, and back out to the pool, then settle back in my lounge chair when the bigger kids start whining that they are hungry again.

I fix lunch to be eaten outside, but no one wants to eat outside, because it's too hot outside, so everyone has to change from their bathing suits into dry clothes so they can eat inside......as the kids are eating their lunch INSIDE...I am hanging wet suits and towels outside.  As I head inside to check on everyone, the kids are heading back outside to get their bathing suits!!!  They have finished their lunch and have  decided to go back OUTSIDE to go swimming!!!! 

As the kids are getting ready to go swimming, I am in a heated debate with Olivia about going to the bathroom before going out to the pool. She tells me she just went, and cannot go again right NOW!!

So outside everyone goes again for another session of swimming.

The younger kids are wearing their arm-floating devices, and Olivia is wearing her upper body flotation gear.

We are set to go. 

We are in the pool.

The air is hot, the pool is cool.

Everything is perfect.

Olivia has to pee.

I watched the kids for six days.

We got up early everyday.

We went to bed late every night.

We swam most of the time.

Olivia went to the bathroom a lot....sometimes even in her pants.

It was fun (most of the time).

I could not be a full time mom, or babysitter......because......

I am old.
The reason I say this is because I am exhausted. 
I am home, and I am tired.
I have to go to work tomorrow, but I am worn out from all the children. From all the outside, and inside, and the swimming suits and towels, and the dishes, and the whining, and the eating, and the bathroom going. How did I do this before?!
Now, I am old.