Fly-on-the-wall Tuesday

Another 7 months have past since the last time I tracked.  The summer flew by with lots of fun.  Kids are back to school and we've settled into a new fall routine of sorts.

Here is another glimpse of our current life-at least what I tracked on the hour marks on Tuesday, September 6th.

Plan for the Day

6:00-Up to Make James Smoothie

James takes off for the day at 6:15-riding his bike the long way to the train station.  We have a few minutes on the front porch to talk before starting the day.  I get on the treadmill to get a run in before kids start getting up and needing me.

7:00-Scripture Study

After a late night last night with the Labor Day holiday kids are still asleep. I'm taking advantage of the quiet time.

8:00-Breakfast with Kids

Kids all woke up a little after 7 and started getting ready for the day.  We eat breakfast about 7:45 together.  Since we don't drive to school anymore we do our 'devotional time' at the table that we use to do in the car on the way to school.  Tuesday is our 'Tuesday talk' day.

9:00-Driving Preston to school

I walked the kids to school and pick up Preston's friend.  I drive them both over to Aunt Annie's house for their preschool time and then head off to run some errands. 

10:00-Cleaning Garage

errands went quickly, being without kids.  Home now to quickly get some cleaning done before Preston gets home.  Slowly trying to sort through all the stuff we moved back out to the garage.

11:00-Cleaning Bathrooms

Tuesdays are bathroom cleaning days.  Kids bathroom will look nice until they get home from school.  And then suddenly there will be dirt and toothpaste everywhere again.

12:00-Dinner Prep

My friend picked Preston up and brought him home.  He is happy to help me finish up some jobs and work on getting dinner ready

1:00-Stories with Preston

Reading stories with Preston before he has a quiet time.  He doesn't nap anymore, but will usually stay in his room to read books or do puzzles for 30 minutes or so.  Usually this is when I can get my scripture study done, but I was lucky to have time this morning instead.

2:00-Computer Work

Have some emails that need responding to and planning for upcoming baby shower.  Preston is 'helping me' by cutting things out while I work.

3:00-Afternoon Smoothies
 
Kids get home from school just after 3.  I'm getting after school snack ready.  I got out the halloween box so we can start to discuss costumes and Preston is enjoying playing dress up.

4:00-Preston to Swim

While Preston has his swimming lesson I can help Brielle and Ethan with homework as we watch from the grass on the hill.

5:00-Magic Minutes

Home from swimming and everyone working on their jobs and helping clean house.  Doing a more thorough job than usual as James messaged to let me know the former owner of the house is planning to stop by to pick up a package and we want to show him the new floors and paint job.

6:00-Dinner

James gets home right about 6 so we can eat together.  Ethan can not keep his legs under the table for a meal.  Ever.  Or use his fork. We've been eating dinner inside for the summer with the heat and the bugs.  Looking forward to fall time where we might move back out again and not have our house so dark closing all the blinds to keep out the sun.

7:00-Family Scriptures

We move around for scriptures, depending on where the most people are at the time.  All three kids happened to already be in Brielle's room tonight, so James and I joined them in there for family scriptures before getting kids to bed.  Then James hurried over to the school for a meeting about possible mudslides in the future for our neighborhood.

8:00-packing kids lunches

Kids start school later now, so I could back lunches in the morning, but I still like having them done at night and ready to go.  Helps mornings not feel too rushed.  Preston is in bed.  Brielle and Ethan are still reading, but should be asleep soon.

9:00-Laundry

Monday is usually a laundry day, but I'm catching up on yesterday, since it was a holiday.  I'm listening to a book and enjoying the quiet house again.

10:00-Prepping tomorrows dinner

Tomorrow is going to be another busy day, so I'm getting a head start on dinner.  James is just getting home from a meeting.

11:00-Checking on kids and heading to bed

Had a chance to catch up with James about the meeting and his day.  Stopping off at kids rooms to check on them before I head to bed.

Back to School

The kids have been back to school for 3 weeks and are doing well.  We didn't get great pictures--we got back from vacation the night before and were doing well to get everyone up with a lunch and backpack.  I though about re-trying...but it is what it is.

Sunny first day of school morning.  "Close your eyes while I count to three, then open them" James said.  Ethan and Preston apparently thought they should open their mouth instead of their eyes.

Everyone happily racing to school. 

The transition to the new school as gone pretty smoothly.  Ethan had a friend in his class already and quickly made more.  Brielle's teacher moved a lot as a child and has been very kind to help Brielle feel welcomed into the class.

Preston is doing a neighborhood preschool coop this year with a cousin and friend.  He is loving it.  We are rotating houses for teaching and also going on a field trip together every couple of weeks.