Daylight Savings

This week has been a lot of early mornings with Ollie waking shortly after Daddy sneaks out to the gym at 5:00am. While the rest of the house sleeps, we snuggle in our big bed and wait for the first rays of sun to peek through the window. My body is weary from being up most of the night and I am desperate for another hour of sleep that I know will never come.

Our mornings have been filled with imaginary play and kindergarten work books. My house is often filled with ninjas and if I'm not careful where I walk my feet scream in pain after stepping on the hundredth Lego of the day. The boys fill the sink for their Lego boats and play shirtless in the water. It isn't long before their jeans are wet and water is everywhere.

The warmer weather brings a morning walk because we could all use a little fresh air after hiding out in the basement during this cold snap. We all return home with runny noses and smiles on our faces. 

Noodles are requested by some for lunch. My stubborn toddler rests his chin on his folded arms and stares at his food refusing to eat...again. Upon closer examination I find two big molars growing in which have made sleeping and eating difficult this past week. 

My afternoon is filled with sticky fingers and food covered faces as they race around and play. 

There's red lollipop in the dogs hair from the day before, but she is still happy to jump on the dishwasher door and pre-wash a few things while I'm loading it. With so many sticky kiddos she pretty much requires a bath once a week it seems.

Hyrum comes into the kitchen walking with a stiff body, and then jumps with both feet. When I ask what he's doing he shrugs and says, "I just wanted to see what a toy feels like..."

 

We pick up Camilla from school and take Joe to his chiropractor appointment. Everyone behaves well and listens great! I praise them and tell them how much I love them and they are quick to return the sentiment. 

The late afternoon brings coloring at the kitchen table. They smile as I proudly tape their artwork to my kitchen wall to display. The children have learned about rainbows this week and each picture has a rainbow, pot of gold, or a leprechaun as we get ready for St. Patty's day. 

 

While I make dinner Joe starts making me crazy and then runs away shouting between giggles, "AH! run for my life!!!" By the time I catch him my anger has melted slightly and I hug him tight and laugh.  He is the only kid who can drive me so crazy and make me love him so much all at the same time.

Daddy is working late tonight so we have an earlier dinner. My toddler hardly takes one bite before he excuses himself from the table. I put the little boys in a bath, start the shower for Camilla, and load the diffuser with some Peace and Calming before bed. I quickly do dishes while listening to Hyrum sing to himself rather than eat his dinner. His made up songs make me smile.

When I go to get the boys from the tub I discover that they have flooded the floor with water...again. This time it takes five huge towels to mop up and miraculously didn't leak down into the basement. 

Once everyone is jammied, Camilla turns on the Moana soundtrack and dances with her little brother. She has him put his feet on hers and it's about the cutest thing I've seen all day!

After that it's bed time routine. We brush teeth, watch a quick church video to settle, and pray together. I sing to the boys while I nurse the baby. Just when everything is still and calm, the dog jumps up and barks at Hyrum singing in the tub. I wait again for the boys to be still. Camilla sneaks in and rubs my back tenderly and whispers, "The ceiling started leaking, don't worry, I put a towel down." sigh

 

When the little boys are finally asleep, I tuck Ollie into his crib and head downstairs to read to the big kids. I find the dog eating poop from the diaper pail and my patience is oh so thin. She gets put outside while I clean up the mess and direct the littles (with less grace than I'd like) through their bed time routine. 

Before long the house is finally still. I sit in the rocker and put my feet up for a few minutes, letting out a sigh of relief. Daddy finally arrives home from a long day at work and brings me a yummy burger to lift my spirits. We snuggle up to a show and it feels good to be together again.