School Days Updates

Now, I know that my first day of school didn't sound so cheery. Really. I get that. So, I thought I'd take this time to fill your heads with warm fuzzy thoughts and gooeyness of our current days. Like today, for example.

6:45-I am so ever-lovin' relieved that it's almost 7am and I have yet to see David's face. Since the time change, I've had him magically appear beside my bed at 5am...every.single.morning. And, why, I ask, does he TOTALLY bypass Chris' side of the bed going OUT OF HIS WAY to my side to wake me up? But, this morning, I was thankful. Granted he appeared no less than 5 minutes after I ascertained that it was 6:45, but still, much better than 5.

7:30-I've put off the inevitable long enough. There are 3 boys hollering for food. Ok, so maybe only one of them is really hollering and I'm pretty sure we all know that's Baby Cakes. So, I make breakfast.

8:30-we're cleaned up from breakfast, everyone has eaten and I'm thinking I really should stop using the computer and get to work. Fridays are always an "easy" day, with us just finishing up some assignments and this Friday was even better because I worked the girls extra hard to finish most of the work by yesterday so Friday would be even better.

9:00-I suddenly remember that it's my turn to clean the hall. Doh! So, I call the girls to start their spelling tests. I find out, shortly after starting Boo's test, that Baby Cakes is stinky beyond belief (grumble, grumble) and when I go to change him, I also find that it's a much bigger mess than I had anticipated.

9:15 I'm cleaning up Baby Cakes and shouting spelling words from my bedroom to the schoolroom. I put naked baby down on the floor so I can finish cleaning up the changing table-I've already decided to cut to the chase and give Baby Cakes a bath.

9:16-I'm wondering whatever possessed me to put a naked baby on the floor when I hear Gracie screaming, "MAMA! HE'S PEEING EVERYWHERE!!!"

9:18-Baby Cakes is in the bath and I'm now shouting spelling words from the bathroom while de-stinkifying the baby.

9:45-Everyone is dressed, destinkyfied and ready to leave for the hall. Good thing we only had a spelling test and some reading to do today.

9:55-we're actually on our way to the hall because I left, then I turned around when I remembered that the boys bikes were still in the back of the van and I had nowhere to put the water softener salt I was going to get while I was out.

10:07-We arrive at the hall and I pull out my mp3 player. After all, I'm pretty sure Baby Cakes is going to crawl after me the whole time I'm there and fuss. He doesn't disappointment me.

11:30-I get my half of the cleaning done and we head out. I hear an announcement from the back of the van, "Mamaaaaa? I'm huuuuuunnnnnnggggrrrrryyyyyyy...." /sigh/

11:31-I wonder why I think running errands with a van full of kids is a good idea.

11:32-I notice the van has "22 miles to empty" on the dash and I figure I'd better get some gas. I don't want to be stranded along the highway with a van full of kids.

11:45-I pull into McDonald's and get the kids something from the dollar menu. They wish it was a Happy Meal, but I remind them we don't need any more junk toys in the house. I don't think they agree, but they don't argue. After all, arguing means I'll cancel their order.

11:55-I'm finally gassing up the van. Whew. I do not like it getting so low. I'm feeling a bit conspicuous-I'm gassing up at the only pump that also sells diesel and there is a huge semi waiting. But, because I'm on fumes, it takes me a looooong time to fill up. Finally, he leaves. I'm not sure if he got tired of waiting, or if I was just worried for nothing and he really just needed...oh, I don't know? A Snickers?

12:10-Baby Cakes has fallen asleep and we stop for water softener salt. I'm so glad there is a big, burly man there to load it for me. Those bags are heavy enough when I bring them home and fill the softener-I wouldn't like to put them in the van, too.

12:30-I must be insane. We stop at the local resale shop to get clothes for Baby Cakes. He needed a winter coat and bigger clothes and shoes. The kids really were much better than they've been on several of our recent outings. Dare I say we actually left a good impression this time? At the end of the shopping, I rush them into the van. Baby Cakes has a visit in the afternoon and I have to start cinnamon roll dough before we take him.

2:00-We arrive home to a message from Baby Cakes' worker. There will be no visit today after all. The kids cheer and I immediately sent them to watch a show. We're all tired and I had a bunch of phone calls to make.

3:00-Baby Cakes goes in for a nap and I make cinnamon rolls for the Preaching Workshop tonight. In between that, I am packing the diaper bag and making sure kids have socks and shoes on and I am tidying up the house. I think I'd love a nap, but there's just no time.

6:05-we're on our way to the hall for the preaching workshop. When we arrive, no one else is there. Chris asks me if we have the correct night. Trying not to act concerned, I assure him we're ok and I proceed to set up.

6:28-only one other family has arrived and we all stand outside to watch the International Space Station zoom through the sky. This is the second time we've been able to do that. It was still just as cool this time as it was last time. The kids all yell "HI!" a s loudly as they can, but I have this funny feeling that it wasn't loud enough. I'll have to tell them to try a little harder next time.

9:45-Everyone is finally in bed after dinner, class, and some after class socializing. The house is quiet except for the thumping of Baby Cakes. He's learned what "Lay down!" means, but he has not learned to stay down. So, shortly after leaving his room, he is back up and jumping in his crib. I'm hopeful that he'll wear out soon. And, even if he doesn't, his crib hopping won't keep me up.