Curiosity Kills the Cat...or the Mother.

Two days after we arrived home from Ethiopia with the younger kids, I remember writing on my blog something about how I had no idea how I would keep up with Seth's intense level of curiosity.

I still don't know how to keep up with it.  Seriously, that boy (and Lizzie's not far behind) wants to know everything...about everyone and every thing...all. of. the. time.  I know that curiosity is a sign of intelligence blah blah blah, and that's really terrific and all, but wow, it can be intense.

I regularly have to alternate answering Seth's and Lizzie's questions, which get fired at me in close definition of bombardment.  "Ok, Seth first; then Lizzie.  No Lizzie, let me answer Seth's question first and then I'll be able to answer yours."  As soon as that round is complete the next one starts; often Matthew is somewhere in the cycle, too.  Mere seconds after one round (or the hundredth), I'm bringing order to the firing squad: "Lizzie first; then Matthew; then Seth.... OK, this time Seth first; then Lizzie; then Matthew...."  You get the idea.

It can be relentless and exhausting.  Sometimes I have to tell them that I need a break and that I won't be answering questions for five minutes.

Of course, their immediate and simultaneous response to that is a plaintive "wwwwhhhhyyyy Mommy??"

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!