Circus Time

(Above: My "monkey" dressed up as a lion.)

Sometimes I get really down on myself because I feel like I am very easily flustered. But, after I take a figurative step back or a physical step away from my career as a mom, I wonder if I shouldn't give myself just a little more credit for the patience I do have.
After all, it usually is a three-ring circus around here. As the ring mistress, here are my instructions for anyone wanting to take on this job. Let's check it out:
Take a look at Ring #1, where we have the oldest of the circus performers--our chattering hyena. It is evident he is also very charming and bright--not to mention pretty handsome. He is big enough to do lots of things, and will tell you so, but he does not think he is able to play in any basement by himself. This results in his making his fellow performers enter his ring, only to emerge minutes later chasing them with the toy du jour because they won't do as he says. Sometimes the smaller animals will turn on him and chase him with the toy. Ear plugs are recommended when this happens as his scream can be deafening. You will want to keep you hearing because if you miss anything he says, he will remind you of what you absentmindedly agreed to do for days to come.
Now turn your attention to Ring #2, our bull in a china shop. Throwing is his favorite game and his aim is surprisingly accurate. A future start athlete? Maybe--but for now, it is best to keep him around soft objects. Do not put any furniture with a cardboard back in his presence or he will slowly dismantle it piece by piece. He will always be hungry, but hardly likes anything healthy--unless you refer to it as a "snack." This animal will do most anything for a snack, but we wary of the consequences if it is something high in sugar. His blue eyes will absolutely melt your heart.
Then we have our monkey in Ring #3. Oh, she is a cute one, but she is always planning an escape. Keep a close eye on the cage door--especially if she is sporting a blaze orange stocking hat. Nothing is safe from this agile climber. Donations to an almost inevitable arm or leg cast are being accepted at this time. It is best not to give the monkey any eye contact. She will then attempt to climb on you. When she finally does run away, she will trip, and come running back again.
Oh, what's that? The ring master is here? Be sure to give him plenty of attention as well lest he start to feel upstaged by the baby wild animals.
If you are lucky, there will be an intermission after everyone has visited the concession stand. You are responsible for supplying concessions--all the while keeping your eye on the show. Make sure to give all equal attention or the left out ones will start to do something they shouldn't to make sure they get attention.
Do not bother to sit down at any point of the show. Extreme messes will be made, they will all jump on top of you, or one or more will need you for something as soon as your butt hits any surface at all.
Every day brings a new show--you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll yell, you'll scream, you will wish you could trade jobs with the guy who scoops up the elephant poop. (Then you find the elephant poop department isn't hiring and there's no wild animal care around even if they were. Bummer.)
Eventually after a long day of performing, all of the animals will go to sleep and as you kiss them goodnight, you will thank God for these sweet-smelling angelic miracles. How could anyone become frustrated with such beautiful babies?
As you close your own eyes, you will thank Him for the chance to do your job all over again tomorrow--and hopefully a little bit better than today.