The Sequence of Events

1. I had 5 bored kids early one afternoon, with time to kill before nap.
2. I filled the water table with water.
3. I undressed the littlest baby so she could properly splash.
4. I warned the biggest 3 kids to keep their clothes dry (with promises of bringing out the wading pool the next time they were together).
5. I took off the shirt of the not-so-little baby.
6. I unbuttoned the pants of that same baby, in a vain attempt to remove them before they got wet. Just then, he poured a cup full of water all over the pants, his socks, and his shoes.
7. I got out a few bowls for them to play with.
8. The children all wanted the same bright bowls.
9. I got a lot more bowls, cups, and measuring cups out.
10. The little ones still wanted the same ones. In fact, the one-who-is-not-yet-one magically learned the word, "no," when someone threatened to take her bright yellow bowl.
11. The bigger kids played carefully, not getting their clothes wet.
12. I looked at the big, happy crowd and thought, "this is a great way to spend the afternoon!"
13. Camden accidentally threw a cup full of water over his shoulder all over Basia's dry clothes.
14. Everyone laughed hysterically.
15. Camden repeated the move over and over again with much more laughter.
16. The almost 4-year-old got jealous that Basia got to get wet when she did not, so she stood in the line of fire and also got her clothes soaked.

17. There was more laughter.

19. Camden missed the girls and poured a cup full of water on himself.

20. Nap time arrived.

21. Towels were gathered.

22. Soaked clothing was removed and thrown neatly (yeah, right) into various piles.

23. Soaked towels were thrown in other various piles.

24. All my cups, bowls, and measuring cups were thrown into the mud.

25. Wet and dirty footprints were tracked all over the tile.

26. The various children napped, leaving only one person behind with an enormous mess to clean.

27. I thought to myself, "what a dumb way to spend an afternoon."