Between 6:30 and 7:15 am we all wake up and eat breakfast. At about 7:37 I start hollering at the older children to get dressed and ready for school (some times they brush their teeth). Homework not completed the night before is quickly finished and lunches are packed. By 8:05 am we are headed out the door to drop the kids off at school.
The day time hours for the big kids are filled with reading, writing and arithmetic--happily provided by public school system. Clare, Adell and I fill our days with reading books, playing dollies, taking naps, chores, chores and more chores and errands or trips to the park. Some times Clare and I have a reading lesson or work out together. Some times we have play dates with friends or family.
By 3:15 pm the big kids are home. Our house is noisy and our downstairs neighbors may or may not choose to start blasting their music in audible retort. The big kids catch a break by getting to watch a show (or two) on PBS. Then it is on to home work and dinner prep.
Most days we are not eating dinner until 6:00 or 6:30 pm. And most days I am exhausted and wondering why I didn't take a nap at 11:00 with Adell? We chat about our days and I remind the kids to "take a bite" so they can finish their dinner before the Day of Judgement.
Some time between 7:15 and 7:30 Daddy comes home. The kids are beyond happy. They all run from every corner of our home yelling "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" Even Adell lights up like a sparkler and comes tearing around furniture for her hug. The kids take turns leaping into Will's arms for a "jump-hug". It is a heart melting sight.
The chaos continues with an evening activity with Daddy--a board game, rough housing or a pillow fight. In case of the latter two--our downstairs neighbors (again) play their music super loud in response. Some time between the start of the music and the end of the game Adell goes to bed. She gets to have a story and a song with Daddy before snuggling in bed with her blankiees.
The big kids wrap things up with tooth brushing and "appreciates"--where Mom or Dad appreciate something they did well that day. Lorien, Wyatt and Clare are usually in bed by 8:30 pm.
Will and I spend the rest of the night catching up with each other, watching a TV show or working on separate projects for our various responsibilities.
And that is the day.
On another note--I made a grown woman cry today at the park. It is not as bad as it sounds. I was chatting it up with this sweet woman. She has a little girl Adell's exact age and a brand-spankin'-new baby boy.
So, she is fresh off the birth wagon with two children under the age of two and we are talking the ins and outs of motherhood. She asks me if my oldest two (the two closest in age) are good friends? I laugh and answer truthfully, "They are really good friends--and really good enemies." The next thing I know, she is crying.
Crap.
Why couldn't I just stop at "They are good friends!"? What is my problem??? I was probably jealous because this woman looked fantastic for any time of life--forget about having birthed a child one WEEK ago. I kid you not.
Anyway, I felt terrible and tried to comfort her. She was embarrassed saying she was just overwhelmed. I mumbled something about totally understanding and went off to push Clare on the swings.
I am a moron.
I am also overwhelmed and could have sobbed along with this poor lady at the drop of a hat. I am not pregnant and I have not given birth in a while. Life is just overwhelming right now. Will's company has been facing some scary challenges and I have had enough of work related challenges... I am sick of our downstairs neighbor's music and I am not sure when we will be able to get out of this apartment... The big kids are good friends and even better enemies and I have no idea how to improve their relationship...
So, in spite of falling into a pretty steady routine I don't feel settled at all.
Blech.
Oh hey, did you notice the pictures have nothing to do with this post? Just some fun picts. from a family park trip a couple of weeks ago.
2 comments:
I am so sorry you are overwhelmed. The last few years have been very overwhelming for us, but I feel they are better. It was really hard but now is getting better. Mark is moving to DC for the summer for his intern and we are staying home. It is only for 10 weeks, but he reminded me that this is the last hurdle of our employment challenges that brought us to this point. Life does get better. Just blast the imagination movers and have a dance party with a few friend kids too. Good luck!
I feel like I can relate to so much here: kids being good friends but better enemies, that overwhelmed feeling that can bring a mom to tears, and that old unsettled feeling- even though we're pretty settled now. Hang in there!
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