Yesterday was the first day school. Here's what this means: Mom gets up and showers before she gets a cold shower. Hubby or I wake up the 13 year old. The 8 year old and the 10 year old wander out bleary-eyed. Breakfast is short-order; some of the children serve themselves while others insist on being served. At the same time I'm making lunches. Understand that no child eats the same thing. One child refuses to eat meat, one child won't touch jam, and one child is so picky that every day is a new adventure. Okay, that's the same one who won't eat jam. Not even homemade freezer raspberry jam (gasp!). As I am scurrying around the kitchen, I'm also yelling orders and asking questions that are really orders like "Did you brush your teeth?" or "Are you going to go to school with that rat's nest on top of your head?" I am also trying to squeeze in drying my hair, putting on my face, and getting dressed. Eventually, we run out of time and we gather for a calming prayer (I said fold your arms and be quiet!) and they are herded out to the van. I then drive the 8 and 10 year olds to elementary school and then on to the jr. high for the 13 year old. Somebody usually forgets his or her lunch or trumpet and there seems to suddenly be something for me to sign or a check to be written. The worst is when, as we're driving and I'm informed it's picture day.
Back home I have approximately 20 minutes to either finish myself up for the day, get the three year old ready, do a load of dishes, fold a load of clothes, or whatever before the three year old and I leave for work. I drop him off at daycare and sometimes have to pry him off my leg. Then comes the most restful time of the day: Work. Okay, that is sometimes true but not lately. We're doing registration which is a busy time for a school counselor.
Today was an interesting day because the three year old refused to take a nap when we came home. He becomes particular and moody. Right now I can hear him ordering his older sister on the way to color.
The good thing about school is that I rarely hear the words, "I'm bored." The bad thing is that I become the policeman and I don't like to be scheduled. I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of a gal. That way when the dishes get done I can be pleasantly surprised. When I do the laundry I feel a great sense of accomplishment.
Okay, the "I'm not sleepy" three year old is getting moody again. The ornery mood.
Back home I have approximately 20 minutes to either finish myself up for the day, get the three year old ready, do a load of dishes, fold a load of clothes, or whatever before the three year old and I leave for work. I drop him off at daycare and sometimes have to pry him off my leg. Then comes the most restful time of the day: Work. Okay, that is sometimes true but not lately. We're doing registration which is a busy time for a school counselor.
Today was an interesting day because the three year old refused to take a nap when we came home. He becomes particular and moody. Right now I can hear him ordering his older sister on the way to color.
The good thing about school is that I rarely hear the words, "I'm bored." The bad thing is that I become the policeman and I don't like to be scheduled. I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of a gal. That way when the dishes get done I can be pleasantly surprised. When I do the laundry I feel a great sense of accomplishment.
Okay, the "I'm not sleepy" three year old is getting moody again. The ornery mood.
I will take that extra freezer jam! And if you make me lunches every day and send me to bed for a nap, I won't complain!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, the school year. Are we having fun yet?