Basically I am going to write out our daily schedule. We never follow it perfectly, but it is our general guide.
Most days I am the first one awake around here. I babysit a little boy and he comes before my kids wake up. So I get up and put myself together enough to answer the front door. Then he and I hang out till the others stir.
Adalyn is usually first. Both of my kids wake up happy. I here them "talking" in their rooms for about 10-25 minutes before they will start crying out for mommy to come get them. I love that they do this. I need the mental preparation that the day is about to begin. Even if I am already awake it gives me time to finish up whatever I am working on.
I am a breakfast first kind of person so we move straight from our beds to the breakfast table. No clothes, bed making, or anything until I get food in my stomach. I think Adalyn would prefer a little while before eating because she usually wants to wait a little before she eats. I could see her being one of those teenagers that skips breakfast for more sleep.
After breakfast we head back to the bedrooms for clothes, hair, teeth brushing and diaper changes. These days it is common for me to change 6-8 diapers before noon. :P I am trying to really set this as our routine because if not, I am terrible at remembering to brush teeth/make beds etc.
Once everyone is ready for the day we head out for a morning walk/run. I love getting outside this summer and our new stroller has made it possible to do so with 3 little kids. Last summer Adalyn struggled alittle bit with wanting to actually stay in the stroller and would usually only last for a mile or so, but this year both my kids have loved riding in the stroller and can last for a LONG time.
After our walk I shower and the babies (not Adalyn) take their morning naps. During their naps Adalyn and I will either go back outside, read books, or she will watch a movie.
Lunch time (after morning naps) is crazy because everyone is usually eating different things. Adalyn sandwiches, Jensen veggies or fruit, me left overs, and neighbor boy eats whatever was packed for him.
After lunch we go in the basement to get our energy out. We throw balls or color with markers on paper. Adalyn's new little kitchen is down there so she loves cooking.
Now comes my favorite time of day which is afternoon naps. My goal is to have everyone sleeping... at the same time. That happens a few times and week and I will usually lay down for a rest once or twice a week. So thankful they all still take a nap.
After naps and neighbor boy goes home we relax and make dinner. We don't have air conditioning in our car so we avoid leaving the house at this time like the black plague. Once fall comes that will change, but for now we try and do errands in the morning or at night. Adalyn will often play with her water table or have me read books to her. 3-6pm is the hardest time of day for all of us. Adalyn is needy and Jensen is fussy, and I am just trying to make dinner. Honestly we all just want dad to come home as soon as possible. :)
Once daddy comes home it is like we all got energy shots and we are renewed for the evening. I love that we all get to eat dinner together every night and am thankful that McKay makes this a priority. But after dinner anything is fair game and these summer nights have had us going in a million different directions. Between yard work, scouts, zumba, temple nights, errands, etc. we are busy in the evenings and we are usually left wondering where the night went. Hopefully we can slow things down a bit this winter, because honestly I feel like we barely have time to get the "have to" things done before it is bed time. Can't imagine what it will be like when the kids get older...
We do baths every other night and then the kids are put to bed between 8 and 8:30. Then mom and dad finish things up and head to bed ourselves. McKay's mornings starts fairly early so we try and get to bed by 10 these days.
This is what I usually look like by the end of the night...
Glamorous right?
But I am happy to have my little family. I learn so much from them each day and am happy to spend my days serving and loving them.
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