The Morning Routine

I think it's important to record family history.  I feel like my kids are changing so fast. I don't want to forget these times.  So, here's a little of our family's history from this past week.

September 7, 2011   

The Morning Routine   
(a condensed version)

 Starring: Husband (age 38), Me (age 35), 
Dani (age 7), Evie (age 5), Mase (age 3), and Dax (age 1)

We don't use alarms at our house.  My husband wakes up like clockwork. On this particular day (and many others) I have some additional wake-up help.

My husband usually takes off early, but today he lets me doze a few extra minutes!  He helpfully takes Evie, Mase, and Dax out of our room and feeds them breakfast.

Then I hear the dreaded words:

"I'm leaving now, which means you should probably get up and come out here. Really."

I linger out.  That's when I notice Dani, still sound asleep!

 "Out of bed sleepy head." No movement.

"You need to wake up now or you won't have time for breakfast." 

Dani gets up.  I pour her a huge bowl of cereal and convince Mase to give me a good morning hug. Everyone runs to give Dad a hug goodbye!  I then drag my crying toddler away from the garage door as he attempts to leave with my husband. 

Evie is lying on the couch in her swimsuit; her latest pj trend.  "I don't feel good. I'm so sick," says Evie.  (Feigned sickness is a common ailment for her lately.)

"All right monkey.  Lay on the couch.  I'm sure you'll be fine in time for [afternoon] kindergarten."

"I'm still hungry!" Dani chimes.

"You don't have time to eat another bowl of cereal.  Get ready.  If you have time, you can have more. "

I go to change Dax's diaper as he mightily attempts to flip and flop away.  When I return, I see Dani is still in her pajamas with her second bowl of cereal!  I confiscate the cereal and firmly tell her to get dressed. She is unmoving, except to take another bite of cereal!  I then physically remove the cereal.

"Get dressed," I growl in a low grover-like voice. (Lately I've been attempting to replace my snapping with a much sweeter, but meanish growl;  although, it doesn't seem to be as effective.)  Dani leisurely saunters into the living room where I've placed her clothes.  

I glance over.  Dani has turned on a cartoon and is just sitting there!  "You have school in ten minutes.  Get dressed--NOW."   I'm back to snapping.  She casually starts getting dressed.  No rush.

I then attempt to put in Barry, Dani's contact.  She wears one contact--(long story involving a lazy eye and many pairs of broken glasses).  She squawks, "You poked me!"

"Open your eye." After several attempts, Barry is in!

I glance into the kitchen.  Dax is crouching on the table, eating Dani's cereal with his hands.  I remove cereal-covered toddler and wash him off.

"Go brush your teeth and your hair, quickly." I say to Dani, "We're going to be late."

She slowly slides her feet to the bathroom and comes out only seconds later.  Her hair in not brushed and the water hasn't even been turned on!

"Dani," I growl.

I then race to the bathroom and start brushing her hair.

Meanwhile, Dax joins us in the bathroom and starts dropping random items into the toilet--a long cherished practice.

"Everyone in the car!"  Dani heads to the garage.  I spot Mase.  He's running around half-naked.

"Where's your underwear Buddy?"
"I no find underwear."

 I snatch up some underwear and throw it his direction.  Mase puts it on backwards.  He's still pantless, but I tell him to get in the car.   I load up Dax.

"Evie, get in the car."
"I'm too sick."
"Go."  She goes.

But Mase is now missing!  I know where to look.  He's hiding in my bathtub again, giggling.  "I twicked you."

He still won't get out!  I carry my not-so-light Mase and, as gently as possible, wrestle him into his car seat.

Dani even made it to school on time.

"Bye Mom.  Love you.  You're the greatest mom in the whole world!"

I'm grateful for my crazy mornings.

Grumpy Grateful Mom Goal of the School Year: Working towards some peaceful mornings too.

my spirited second grader