My friend had to drop her car off to the shop last week, and couldn’t really leave the kids at home while she popped out for half an hour. Plus then she had a shuttle ride but no car. So I offered to have her bring them by and I would watch them, we hung out while her car was repaired, and then I watched them again while she went to pick it up. So it turned out to be from about nine-ish to one. Not bad, and incredibly, all four kids were a dream. I can’t believe it either.

When she left there were no tears, no anxiety, they just kept playing. The boys got along great.

And, well, one way or another, both girls went down for a nap. Alina chose the crib, but this adorable baby girl has a more efficient means of catching her naps on the go.

Cutest thing ever, right? I wish my kids would do that. When she wakes up, she just jump-rocks herself to sleep again. I laughed and awed at the same time. Precious.

So I think I am ready to start doing handoffs. Which is blowing my mind. It went so well this time-they entertained each other, I changed diapers and fed Alina a bottle and got them all snacks and they were cool about all of it. But I know this is probably the exception, not the rule. Still, it’s worth it to build a relationship with my “colleague” mamas so that we all have a place to drop the kids when we need to. For oil changes and sanity.

My best tip for watching a big group? Whenever possible, make them do everything in the yard. Or maybe if you’re in Minnesota, the basement. I brought them food and drinks and strapped the baby into the swing. I even brought the kid potty outside for one of the boys. The house still looked really good when it was over!