“What’s the matter?” I cooed at the baby as I extracted her from the high chair. She was covered with her dinner, apparently had had enough, and didn’t much care that I was not done eating.

As I whisked her off for a necessary bath, I heard my three oldest children give their opinions.

“She’s just tired,” said the sage 10 year old.

“She has been pulling at her ears,” reminded the clever 7 year old.

“She’s cutting molars, too,” offered the wise 9 year old.

Well, if one must have four mothers, it is good that they are ready to make excuses for you.