A few weeks ago, cousins Becca and Taylor left on a cruise. Taylor has been commuting every Monday to his new job in southern Utah, so Becca has been taking care of the kids and trying to sell the house during the week. Needless to say, I think they deserved this vacation, and I was more than happy to take the kids for both weekends.
So meet Graham, Calvin and Sloane, three of my favorite little ones. Shortly before I got there, Sloane started throwing up, and Becca put her straight to bed, apologizing profusely that she was giving me her sick kids.
"Becca, it's fine! You need this vacation! I'll take care of it!" 
Sloane woke up happy as could be. I made sure to keep everyone's hands washed the next day, but everyone felt dandy.
Quotes of the weekend:
After Graham tried to sneak out first through the front door and then through the garage to take the dog on a walk, I convinced the other two to grab their tricycles and scooters and drive to the park with us. As soon as I got on the road, the dog Louis hopped from the backseat into my lap! On the drive back, I made sure the kids held him tight. It was quite the comedy act as the boys zipped up the giant hill on their scooters and Sloane struggled up at her contented little pace. I held Louis's leash as I lagged behind with Sloane. As the boys started to get farther and farther away, Louis barked like mad, tugging at the leash as I refused to let him run free. I attempted to lift Sloane on her tricycle, and she shouted, "No! Put me down!"
Quotes of the weekend:
The comical thing about toddlers is they can talk but aren't potty trained, so you get commentary while you change their diaper. Sloane: "it's a big one"
*Another time*
Me: Sloane I accidentally got my finger in your poop! Ew!
Me: Sloane I accidentally got my finger in your poop! Ew!
Sloan: I wanna see!
Me: how old are you?
Sloane: good
Me: but how old are you?
Sloane: Sloane.
Calvin: Katie you look gooder in pink"
Sloane (as my dad pinned Calvin down): let go of my sister!
Calvin: Katie...How are you still a kid but you can drive?
Me: how old am I?
Calvin: 71. Actually I think you're in the thirties.
After Graham tried to sneak out first through the front door and then through the garage to take the dog on a walk, I convinced the other two to grab their tricycles and scooters and drive to the park with us. As soon as I got on the road, the dog Louis hopped from the backseat into my lap! On the drive back, I made sure the kids held him tight. It was quite the comedy act as the boys zipped up the giant hill on their scooters and Sloane struggled up at her contented little pace. I held Louis's leash as I lagged behind with Sloane. As the boys started to get farther and farther away, Louis barked like mad, tugging at the leash as I refused to let him run free. I attempted to lift Sloane on her tricycle, and she shouted, "No! Put me down!"
"Boys! Stay within my sight!"
We finally made it to the park, but all too soon I made the mistake of letting Graham take Louis for a loop. Graham came back crying, clinging to Louis's leash as the dog trotted ahead. "He ran away! I was so scared, I thought I lost him forever!"
"Are you OK Graham?!"
"I found him at the car, and his name tag broke off! My mom is gonna be so mad at me!" he cried with big alligator tears.
"Oh Graham! It's OK! We can always buy a new name tag, but all I care about is that you're OK, and that Louis is OK. We can't buy a new Graham or a new Louis!"
He nodded, wiping the tears away as he handed me rambunctious pup to me. I turned around and found Sloane riding her tricycle up a massive, shifting pile of wood chips and Calvin jumping off of it. Alright, new activity time!
I decided their love for doing tricks was better suited for the trampoline park. They were stoked, of course, and as they romped around the jungle gym I worked on homework.
I got Graham cleaned up and started scrubbing the carpet. When I finished up, I found Graham snuggled up, sound asleep in my bed.
