Today

 Today was quite a day. 

Kathy wrote the kids a letter last week inviting them to come over for the morning. She has done this several times since Macy was born. It's been so refreshing every time! She usually picks them up after breakfast and brings them home after she feeds them lunch. She usually makes cookies, reads books, and plays 1,2,3 on so and so. Lately she's added a treasure hunt and school (flash cards and other questions she tailors to each of their abilities). I am so happy that she makes such an effort to have an enriching morning and make memories. Well today, we dropped the 4 kids off at her house and we took Macy with us to Tri Cities. We went to Kohl's to make a million returns from online shopping and then to Costco. Macy was an angel. It was so freeing to be with David and not have to worry about the demands of taking care of the others for the morning. 

We got home and David put Tyson down for a nap, as he does most every day. I got a short nap later while Macy napped. I went for a walk with Tyson and Esther around 3:45. I so much more enjoy my solo walks. But that isn't always possible. It was still good to get out. We saw Victoria Gilbert and ended up going up her driveway to visit with her inside. When it was getting dark, about 4:25, we were getting our shoes on and I pulled out my phone to find that David had called twice. I called him back and he reminded me about Annika's piano lesson. It was at 4:15 and we both spaced it. David had left Macy home with Benson and was drove up to Candice Walker's, where I often stop on our walks. I called him back right before he pulled into her driveway. She's taking lessons with Lindsey. Apparently, Lindsey had forgotten too, which made me feel better. So I rushed home with Tyson in the stroller and Esther pushing the umbrella stroller with her stuffed dog. Macy was perfectly content laying next to Benson while he played football on the PS3. 

I brought Macy into the kitchen in her bouncer while I prepared dinner (just heating up leftover sauce and cooking tortellini). Esther and Tyson were playing well and staying out of the kitchen. So, I wasn't really worried about Macy's safety. I set the table and got Tyson a sippy cup of milk to drink while he was playing. I was about to put the sauce in the pan for reheating when I saw Tyson about 4 feet away from me, crouched down by Macy's bouncer and repeatedly ramming his sippy cup into her forehead! I dropped the bag of frozen sauce on the floor (which I didn't even realize I'd done until I found the bag on the floor 10 minutes later) and ran over to pull Tyson away. I shoved him in the stomach and got after him. There were milk drops on Macy's head. It was heartbreaking to see her face in shock at first and then erupt into screaming. I was so disappointed in Tyson and scared for Macy's safety. I held her close and just left the kitchen, with the pasta and sauce cooking. Tyson eventually followed me upstairs. Esther came too. He was hitting Esther and then moved on to trying to hit Macy again when he found me. I put him in his room and shut the door. He didn't even complain. I think he needed some quiet time. He came downstairs 5 minutes later with his binky, pillow, and blanket. Yikes. I'm worried about Macy's safety every day. I know he acts out because he's jealous of the attention Macy receives. I am just praying that I'll be able to intervene and keep her safe every day. David came home from piano and I was relieved to have backup on my side. 

Yesterday, Tyson tried flushing Daivd's Chief's blanket down the toilet. He's crazy. Someday we will laugh at these things.