Five Kids

I'm not sure if it is because it is Summertime and I have all of my children around me all day long, but I am really beginning to realize we are no small group.  I go back and forth between whether or not I have a 'large family.'  To me, large seems six or more children.  But to someone with two, maybe four seems large.  Surely it is all relative, but when looking at a recently taken photo of Mike, me and the kids, it kind of looked like a lot of people...

But whether it is all relative or not, I am finding constant reminders that I kind of have a lot of kids...
When ...

• I do not have enough chairs at the kitchen table to seat everyone, and thus the one year old is often left in the corner. 
• I have no extra seats in my suburban.
• I wear a 'children charm' necklace and a sarcastic neighbor warns me it will break if I add anymore to it.
• I only have three children at the store with me, and it seems like bliss.
• I've almost outgrown the need to ever use a 9x13 casserole dish.
• On Mondays I do at least 8 loads of laundry, and they'll still be more to do the next day.
• Buying a Happy Meal for each child almost breaks the bank.
• One loaf of bread isn't usually enough for everyone to have sandwiches for a picnic.
• My children have to argue about who gets to practice the piano first.
• I've been changing diapers for 11 1/2 years and I still have a couple more years to go.
• I pretty much have to start the dishwasher after one meal.
• I cringe slightly when asked at a restaurant  'How many in your party?'
• Me or my children never experience loneliness.  There is always someone that won't leave someone alone.

Oh well!
With this many in the house, life is never boring.