Taking Inventory

Taking inventory is something I learned to do quickly while teaching - in just a few seconds I could figure out who was absent, who didn't turn in homework, which child had wandered off from the group on a field trip... my organization of having everyone and everything in it's proper place and order helped me do this quickly. I counted to 22 (or however many kids were in my class that year) many times a day to make sure everyone was there, and if we were on a field trip I counted several times an hour! Taking inventory is something that I still do daily. Kids all here? 1-2-3-4... check. All milk cups in the sink? Green-purple-yellow-pink... check. Jackets all hung up and ready for next time? 1-2-3-4... check. When the triplets were little, it was more like - 3 bottle, 3 tops, 3 caps, 3 burp rags... check. It never ends! I never did this when Meredith was little, but now it's a necessity to keep from losing parts and pieces. It's not pleasant when it's time for juice and everyone has a cup except... uh oh... where's the purple cup? Not only does a lost cup tend to get lost for a while, it tends to get a little stinky! We once lost one of the trainer cups full of milk for 3 weeks! Thankfully it was the most sealed of all the sippy type cups, so it didn't smell too bad on the outside. I didn't even open that one to see if I could wash it - I just threw it away! Now usually I don't have to count outloud; 4 is an easy number to scan and see that they're all there. But when they were little I always counted outloud when I put the girls in their carseats (especially when the triplets were still facing backwards). I was so afraid I'd forget one at home!

Lately, Melissa has joined me in my daily inventory counts. Probably because she takes so many things to bed with her! Mama bear-Daddy bear-Baby bear... check. Tissue... check. Princess night light... check. Book... check. And there can only be one tissue with her, and it must be in her hand. If there's another tissue in her bed (left from last night), I must take it out. Only one book please. The night light isn't usually on, but it must be there. If one of the three bears is missing - no one sleeps until it is found!

Two nights ago, Meredith and Melissa were having a little party in their room when they were supposed to be going to bed. We were listening from the monitor in our room. After a few rounds of 'Old McDonald', I could hear them chatting back and forth and then Melissa asked, "Where's my night light?" Meredith asked her a few questions then got out of bed to help her find it. When she couldn't find it Melissa got upset and Meredith told her just a minute and came to get me to help. Once I found the missing night light, everyone was tucked back in and ready for bed. Until Melissa asked for a book. Meredith gave her 4. That was too many. "NOOOoooooooooo!" I went back in... only one book for Melissa. Not that she ever reads it, but she wants it there just in case - like the night light. Probably because big sister Meredith goes to bed each night with her night light on and a book to read. Funny, Claire and Amanda have no idea about books and nightlights at bedtime. Probably a good thing though, at this point we're just trying to keep those two in bed!