7 kids and a dog

We are currently at the halfway point of our babysitting gig here at my SIL's house (5 days down; 5 to go). She and her husband are off snorkeling, sight-seeing, and beaching in the Dominican Republic while we have an equally exciting adventure back at the homestead. My SIL has things so well planned out with frozen meals and rides for all that I think she's made it too easy for us! Well, not too easy...keeping up with 7 kids is quite exhausting!
So far, the 5 biggest challenges are:

• figuring out how to encourage chores and piano practicing with successful results
  
• picking up, cleaning, laundry, etc. and still feeling like the house is a mess
• prepping/putting away dinner to enjoy a whopping 15 minutes of family dinner time
  
• missing alone time with Carson
• missing alone time with Rick

So far, the 5 most fun parts are:

• Seeing Carson smile and laugh more than ever with so many little people around to entertain
• Helping kids with homework to re-live my school days
• playing checkers with & reading books to Wilson
• going to the park and running around with the whole family
• telling Rick all the funny things the kids said/did before we go to sleep

Welp, dishes, laundry, and baby are calling! Will post with pictures next week!