I had a lot of fun with this list. Keeping track of my day was quite empowering and it was interesting to see what I accomplished in the space of 24 hours. I still managed to feel good about the use of my time despite feeling like I was running from the time I woke until the time I went to bed.
5am - I fumble in the early morning light to turn off my alarm...despite being a morning person, I still wrestle with the temptation to sleep in. A few extra minutes in bed and then I'm up, getting ready for the day before the kids wake. I feel a sore throat and ears niggling at me, I'm hoping its nothing sinister.
5:30 - Quiet time and journal, check my diary for what the day entails and write a quick 'to-do' list.
6:00 - Washing hung out from the night before. Put another load in the machine. Start to unpack some of the dishwasher. The kids start to surface and the morning routine begins for them. Breakfast for me is the same every morning - a berry banana smoothie. The kids have cereal, toast and fruit.
7:30 - Heading out the door early today. Our street is super quiet and it feels like we're the only ones around. Any quiet neighbourly slumber is soon shattered by the sounds of Miss 3 tripping over on the way to the car. It's amazing how much the noise carries at this time of morning. A few tears, a quick kiss and hug, and all is right in her world again.
7:40am - Drop Miss 7 at school for her first strings ensemble rehearsal. She meets up with a friend and they walk down to the music room together. And then it hits me - I have reached the stage of parenting requiring early mornings and late afternoons for extra-curricular activities. Most of my week will now be spent in the car.
8:00am - Sign Miss 3 into kindy. It's anyone's guess how long it will take to do the drive from school to her kindy. Some days we sit in traffic for an eternity, but this morning we had a smooth run, which means that we will make it back to school in time before the bell. Miss 3 was a bit teary and clingy (read: throwing a tantrum) this morning when I left. I put it down to the fact that I had the other children with me and she wanted us to stay. Never a good thing when you leave your child kicking and screaming.
8:20am - Making good time today, very little traffic on the roads - which always makes me wonder for a moment if it's a public holiday and I forgot. Walk the other two into school and spend some time with Master 5 in his classroom and talking with other parents.
9am - I decide to head to the pool for some laps. It's been many years since I've swum for fitness, but if I'm going to kick this triathlon later this year, then I need to start somewhere.
There must have been a senior swimming session before I arrived as there are quite a few elderly people hanging around having a chat. Three elderly ladies are in the change rooms having a gossip and organising their social lives. From the sounds of it, their social lives are a lot more active than mine! As it turns out, there's also a swimming carnival at the pool in a couple of hours, so there are gazebos being erected and tables being set up. I'm the only person swimming which always feels weird. Soon enough another person hops in the pool...in my lane. Thankfully he realises that the other lanes are in fact usable and he swims in the one next to me. Time for my competitive streak to kick in.
11am - Showered and a quick cup of coffee, I head to the school to help out with maths in my daughter's class. The teacher asks if I can stay for spelling as well. Sure, why not.
1-2:30pm - Home. Lunch. Make some phone calls. I am pleased that I was able to change the day for my children's swimming classes, and they can all be in the pool at the same time. Winning. I am hopeless at just sitting down and enjoying my lunch. I think it's because I want to make the most of my time while everyone is out, and multi-tasking sometimes achieves this. Quick vacuum and mop. Bring washing in. Prepare afternoon tea.
2:30pm - Quick trip to the shops to pick up a couple of things before doing the school/ kindy run. I never seem to remember my enviro bags. Note to self: keep them in the car.
4pm - Cracking the whip through a late afternoon tea - we need to head out again to my daughter's netball training at 5pm.
5-6pm - Netball training. I am thankful that my other children have an oval to run around on and kick a ball on. I take my Kindle and continue reading 7:An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess (Jen Hatmaker). Loving the little pocket of time to just sit. And I'm sure the kids love the complete freedom they have for the hour.
6:30pm - Slack mum tonight. The Golden Arches for dinner - hopefully I will be more organised next week. I enjoy a coffee and send a few texts to my husband (who is still interstate) - he is working late so we will call him tomorrow.
7:45pm - The bed run starts late, which means that everyone's bed times have been pushed back by at least 45 minutes. I'm thinking this is going to be a regular occurrence when my daughter trains late. The joys of extra-curricular activities. I just hope the tireds don't impact Miss 3 too much tomorrow.
8:45pm - All is quiet once again and I begin preparations for the next day. Lunchboxes, uniforms are all at the ready. Another load in the washing machine. Seriously, I feel like I live between the kitchen and the laundry.
9:00pm - Sometimes the house is just too quiet at night, so I put on an episode of CSI, mainly for background noise, and I settle on the couch to do some work on a draft (the old-fashioned way) that has been glaring at me from my desk for far too long. A cup of green tea keeps me company.
10pm - My yawns are becoming far too frequent, so I decide to call it a night. My brain can't focus on what I'm writing and it probably won't make much sense in the morning. My ears are also really sore (perhaps that swim wasn't such a great idea), so I down some panadol, snuggle into bed with my Kindle and once again become engrossed in Jen Hatmaker's book. I am inspired and convicted by her writing, and I can see some future changes happening in our family.
10:30pm - Lights out and hoping for a decent night's sleep. Ready to do it all again in the morning.
