Dysfunctionally Full

Beginning

Giggling rings through the air from three small children and gurgling comes from the baby. Friendly arguing from the boys about the latest football game can be heard over the two girls talking about their professors and classes while watching the waffles. Bacon sizzling in the pan, waffles in the waffle maker, toast in the toaster, scrambled eggs already plated, biscuits in the oven, and the smell of coffee brewing permeates the air. I look around at the kids in my house and their friends and wonder how I got so lucky. While waiting for the last of the food to cook I set out syrup, jam, and other condiments that the kids will eat. Then while putting oatmeal into the microwave for the baby I feel a tug on my sweat pants. Looking down I see Lydia holding KC's sippy cup.

"Auntie Cerri, KC threw her sippy cup again. She wants more juice." "Thank you Lydia, I'll get her some more apple juice." I open the fridge and grab the apple juice that KC loves. After her cup is refilled I put her cup and oatmeal on her high chair before walking into the living room. I pick KC up and then ask the other three "Are you guys going to eat in here and continue watching Octonauts or are you guys going to come to the table?"

"Can we stay in here please Auntie Cerri? The newest episode comes on next!" Lydia and Gabe beg together. Then I hear Myles shy little voice pipes in "I promise we won't make a mess!" Laughing I give in and let them stay to watch their episodes and walk back into the kitchen leaving ecstatic, cheering children behind.

"The waffles are ready Ms. Keating. Do you want some help making the kids plates?" Madison asks me while I'm putting KC in her high chair. KC immediately latches onto her sippy cup and drinks half of it. Chuckling I turn around and address Madison "Madison how many times have I told you that you can call me Cerridwen or Cerri, or even Ms. C like Jackson does, but not Ms. Keating.". Madison blushes and looks at the ground before mumbling "Yes ma'am I know. It's just a habit." Taking pity on the girl I answer "Yes dear I know. And to answer you're earlier question, yes some help would be lovely."

Madison starts making one plate putting a waffle, bacon, eggs, and a biscuit on it, while Sera makes two in the same time, though she's more used to multitasking and helping me with the kids. Lydia squeals in delight when handed her plate and proceeds to dump syrup on her waffles. Gabe immediately begins munching on his bacon, eyes glued to the TV, and Myles breaks his biscuit apart and put grape jelly on it. I watch the three with a fond smile, remembering when they were babies and how they are all grown up now.

I go to turn around to make my own plate when -- THWACK. Quickly turning around thinking someone fell I instead see Braden and Jackson nursing red, sore hands, Sera holding the wooden spoon I cooked the eggs with, and a body on the ground, though for different reason than expected. Madison had fallen off her stool and was on the ground laughing while the boys were both clutching their hands. "What happened?" I warily ask, not sure I want to know the answer and suspiciously look at the boys. "Don't look at us Ms. C, We're the victims here!" Jackson exclaims while holding his hand out for me to see the red outline of the wooden spoon Sera is holding.

Turning towards Sera with one eyebrow arched I silently ask what happened. "Uh-uh don't be looking at me. Those two there wouldn't get up and told me that since I was a woman it would be my honor to fix two healthy strapping males like them a plate. So I whacked them." Turning back to the boys, starting to feel like I was on a turntable, I see two false innocent looks on those two. "Get up and fix your plates or you won't be eating." Looking at the clock I see I have ten minutes to eat before I need to leave for work. I quickly fix a plate for myself and sit down at the table with the boys to eat it. Looking around I see Sera and Madison eating at the breakfast bar, the boys beside me have piled food on their plates and are scarfing it down. Eating as quickly as I can without choking or looking like the two teenage boys I start thinking about what all I have to do at work today. I know I have a few orders to fill, there is a ton of paperwork to do, training for a new intern from the local college, and I need to call Manny and talk to him about his newest thesis and give him some advice on his experiment.

"So what are you guys doing today?" I offhandedly ask the teens to see who I can rope in to babysitting for me. "Well, Jackson and I were thinking about going for a hike with the boys." Braden is the first to answer, then I hear Sera protesting behind me "No way it's your turn to babysit, we did it last weekend when Cerri had to work. Honestly Cerri we know what you mean when you ask that question." Laughing I agree, I had asked that question many times fishing for a hook to keep someone home to babysit. The perks of having so many kids and their friends over is an unending supply of babysitters. "I'll watch the kids for you Ms. C. I could use some spending money for a Christmas present for my mother." Madison is a sweet girl from a troubled family, always looking to help out around her house and mine. I smile at Madison and thank her for helping while ignoring Sera's indignant squawking in the background about her lost Saturday and goody-two shoes friend, though we all knew she didn't mean it. I put my plate and utensils in the dishwasher then run down all of the details again with Madison. Yelling out a goodbye to everyone is the kitchen and living room I go to the front hall and grab my purse and keys. As I was walking out the door I hear a chorus of goodbyes from the kids and smile and how luck I've gotten to have such good and loving kids.

Unlocking my car I get in my car and drive off heading towards work thinking again of how much I have to do.