Tadpole tragedy and triumph

This morning began much different than most days, in a good way. I did not run, as I have 3 days so far and it appears allergies have reared their ugly head. I allowed my body a day off. I did get up take my shower, and spend some time reading my new favorite book by Shelia Walsh about prayer, that and spending some time in prayer. Keeping up with my new goals is going well. Then in popped my mother for a time to sit on the porch and catch up. AA got dropped off somewhere in that time, and then later K and C too. The house was filled with the weekly 7. Kids chatted, new climbing skills were discovered by #4 and AA. Laughter/banter continued. But in a flash of an eye that all changed....

A bit of a picture for this that do not know, there is a green type of shelf in the corner of my deck opposite the grill. On the middle shelf there is a plant, then on the bottom shelf live the tadpoles. Recently Max that Alpha cat has been stalking the tadpoles, debating on eating them or trapping with his paw. I have taken to putting the tadpole on the shelf where the plant was,and the plant on the table. Today was no exception, since the cat was with us before the children multiplied.

AA, proud of his new ability to climb on the ledge and peek over the top and cheered by onlookers inspired #4 to do the same. She is much smaller than the rest so her eyes meet the ledge more than over. A minor detail when competition is the goal. Big kids began discussing tadpoles. Yesterday the 2 bigger ones had sprouted a single leg just under the tail. Today they have 2 back legs, amazing what a day can bring. A rush to see with their own eyes, commotion unstopped by adults must have caused a greater interest in little people unnoticed. Mom and I remain talking, as far as I know neither looking at the children.
Now I am pretty sure big kids had moved away, AA checking out down below when a scream and a slow motion crashing of the very tall shelf began to happen. It is unbelievable how you can watch something happen aware of every detail like someone slowed down time, but be frozen in time too, unable to react. Time speeds back up for the shelf to smack her in the head but fall so she is in the opening, possibly a foot squished underneath. As a mother I probably lost my supermom title because I triage the situation thinking the tadpoles needed saving before littlest and last child. Now acting quickly I shout order to get a spoon, grab the Tupperware tilting so the 2 remaining tadpoles can swim in the bit of water left. Mom and I work together trying not to put further harm on them and get put back. #1 is handed the container to hold so I can now rescue my daughter who is screaming from her wounds and the lack of interest I showed her.
It is about now that #1 realizes there are not 4 big and one baby, but 3 big ones. Although he was nowhere to be seen during all the fun (it was electronic time ya know) came running when the yells were heard. He is not interested in keeping the remaining ones stable while I sent K off to gather more pond water, he is scrapping the floor distressed about the tadpole that is MIA. G-ma takes the container so he can futilely search for the missing one below the deck. No surprise neither he and C can find it. I end up handing #4 stripped and wrapped in #3 special string blanket to Gma, to assist in pond water gathering lesson. #1 and C give up, and we all head back to the deck to add the water and confirm all are well.
All organisms and life forms set back to their rightful place I once again sit down. #4 in her lawn chair, looks a lot like the big sister to her right. I snap a quick picture to go with this blog entry I am now envisioning. Mom and I laugh at how hilarious the entire process really was, that and how quickly children can make a peaceful thing CRAZY!
On a side note, G-ma discovers more tadpoles in the fish pond. The kids decide we need there to be one not only to replace the missing one, but one so every child who is here must have their own. Now there are 7 tadpoles where 5 once were.....whew. Hopefully they all make it to be frogs someday. Stay tuned...I am certain this journey is far from over.