Problem of the Ages

I'm in the middle.

I've come to that conclusion, because there's no other way to describe it.  I'm just in the middle and don't really know which way to go.  It's my kids' fault.  Well, mine really.  And life's fault.  There...at least I've placed blame, now I can investigate.

I am mother to some "youngers" and some "olders," and sometimes I just don't know what to do with that. Miss Queen of the Castle - the one who rules all things - the baby - has an awful lot of demands.  Like food.  And diaper changing.  And still two naps a day.  She wants to play with everything in sight and yet we have the responsibility of keeping her alive with all four limbs intact, so therefore we have to keep out of reach 60% of all household items.  And from climbing atop almost all household surfaces.

The other younger is easy - at age 5 this one is really a "middle", and goes along with anything.  Will play with the baby, will play with the olders.  Still can't reach the kitchen sink and therefore can't do the dishes (inconvenient).  But still young enough to climb up in our laps to cuddle and give some really cute hugs and kisses.  Very adaptable.

The olders need a lot more stimulating entertainment.  Like swimming, or fireworks, or water gun fights.  Like neighborhood kickball games, movies, and restaurants.  Or things with a bazillion tiny pieces like barbie shoes, or legos, or 500 piece puzzles.  True, they're not that old, it's not like they are teenagers yet, where they just sit around and talk. Or mope.  But they are still older, where baby toys last about 2 minutes.

So what do we do with ourselves?  I feel so in the middle.  I don't know if friends with olders want to hang out, because then we have to accommodate a napping baby.  I don't know if friends with babies want to hang out, because then what do we do with a 10 year old?  And how on earth do we vacation?  Where do we go that suits all ages? And then there's my age.  I'm not really a young adult.  I'm not really over the hill yet either.  

I'm not a complainer by nature.  I'm not even unhappy in this place in life, just a little confused sitting here in the middle.  I haven't come up with an answer.  I have come up with a prayer though - of asking for direction.  And of thanksgiving for my family.  I love them to pieces and would never wish any of this away.  I feel blessed to have a little cutie pie toddling around the house again - it's the kind of thing that passes too quickly with children.  Where suddenly you blink and they're 10.  I love painting toenails with my older and rocking at bedtime with my baby.  I love all the in-betweens.  And that's all that matters I guess.