Morning routine

Chris and Carmen have teamed up to do posts on “The day in the life of a larger than average family” each Wednesday. Today’s topic is The Morning Routine, and everyone is invited to post their routine, then link to it in the comment section of Chris’ blog. Carmen starts her day at 5:30, as did Chris, jokingly. The only time I have ever seen the clock read 5:30am was when I was still working as an RN 2 1/2 years ago, or when my husband wakes me because, well, you who have many kids know that this is the ONLY time when aloneness is possible. That or somewhere around 2am……….and therefore I will shuffle on ahead to the more forgiving hour of 6:30

6:30 Bill leaps out of bed on the first beep after his wrist watch goes off. Show off.

6:33 Bill has showered, shaved and dressed.

6:34 Bill leaves to get milk, the paper, gas for the car, to save the world, find a cure for cancer and pet the dog.

6:40 Bill sets the table.

6:50 Bill wakes the boys.

(are you seeing a trend here?)

6:51 Bill wakes me then puts water on to boil for oatmeal.

6:55 I untangle myself from the arms and legs that belong to Mia and head into the bathroom. I throw a sweatshirt over my tank gown and head to the kitchen, shushing the boys every 15 seconds so they DO NOT wake the sleeping baby.

7:00 Begin making lunches for the kids.

7:01 Ask Quinn what kind of sandwich he wants. Proceed to listen to complaints that range from “I hate sandwiches” to “My stomach hurts” to instructions about how big the sandwich should be. Make note to self to never ask 5yo that question… NEVER, EVER again.

7:05 Pack lunch bag with tortilla wraps, fruit of the day, granola or crackers, and water bottle. Break up the 10th “He looked at me” fight this morning.

7:10 Begin the ritual of making the perfect cup of macchiato for myself and Bill while he feeds kids oatmeal with raisins.

7:11 Daughter walks in the room and declares she wants a boobie.

7:12 Begin nursing daughter in sling, because espresso must not wait.

7:20 Sit down while still nursing Mia and drink coffee (ahh) while watching kids pick raisins out of oatmeal. Talk with them about their day.

7:30 Hustle kids into bathroom to brush hair and teeth.

At EXACTLY 7:37 EVERY morning, the kids are ushered outside and off they go to school. If it is a minute later, well by God, Bill stresses that they are going to be late, or the sky will fall….whichever comes first. They are supposed to be there by 7:55. It takes them 2 minutes to get there. He is efficient.

7:45 Get up out of chair and wash dishes.

7:50 Sit down and visit with Bill while Mia eats solid food instead of Boobies

8:20 Kiss Daddy-O goodbye, go inside and turn on computer.

8:20-9:30 Turn on TV and tune in to Sesame St. (or Dora). for Mia. Read e-mails, write posts, wonder why oh why doesn’t WordPress have spell check. Start checking my blogroll from the top down. Make it 1/4 down the list before must clean up first spill of the day.

9:30-10:00 Make beds, pick up jammies from floor. Open laundry hamper, stuff clothes into it. Sigh. Make mental note to start a load of laundry and realize my faults and admit to self that it will not get done.

10:00 to whenever. Move from room to room picking up toys, sippy cups and such. Stop for short bursts of computer time. Play games and dollies with Mia. Make second cup of that blessed nector of the Gods called espresso. Prepare lunch for myself Mia and Bill.

Thus begins my most productive time of day…the afternoon. That is when I truly shine. So I will post that tomorrow. Because, well, it is afternoon now and I have the attic to clean of all the accumulated crap that will be sold in a garage sale in 2 weeks. We are de-cluttering our lives, room by room. It is so liberating to get rid of all the material stuff! You know?

And yes, you are right, the laundry is still in the hamper.