These Are Days

School's out this week and our schedule at home will change quite a bit next week. This has been a unique year and I want to record how the typical day or week goes for our family. The unique part is having a napping toddler, a half-day kindergartner, and two school-age kids with full after-school schedules all at the same time.

Morning: Austin is up early and supervises the kids getting started on piano practicing. Abbie practices from 6-7 Katie from 7-8.

Lizzie Helps Abbie Practice

I rise around 6:30 and either exercise or get ready and join in upstairs around 7. Austin leaves by 7am. I get Avery and Lizzie up and going which is very hands-on.

Avery Getting Ready For School

Hair Time

We leave by 8:10 to pick up our favorite car pooler and get Katie, Abbie, & Avery to school by 8:30.

Morning Car Pool

Lizzie & I either run an errand that is open (like the grocery store) or go home and finish getting ready. Depending on the day of week, we have a playgroup or scripture class from 10-11. If the week's rolling along okay or if I'm stressed out of my mind I indulge in a yoga class at 9:15 on Thursdays. If yoga lets out on time we have just enough time to quickly stop at Costco before heading home for Avery.

Mid-day: Everyday, we need to be home by 11:30 when Avery gets home from school. The two girls eat lunch together, then Lizzie goes down for a nap by 1:30. I have focus time during Lizzie's nap to clean up, fold laundry, make phone calls, whatever. Avery often chooses to watch Sesame Street.

Afternoon: At 3:00 I scoop Lizzie out of bed and go pick up Katie and Abbie from school. After school activities may include ballet x2, Jazz, gymnastics, play practice, Activity Days, Show Choir... We usually have a little down-time at home first when I can help with homework or snacks and make sure I have dinner planned.

Katie's off to Janet Gray Studios Again

I often fix dinner between 5:15 - 6:30 between drop-off/pick-ups for dance class.

Evening: Usually dinner can't be earlier than about 7pm. This is followed by bath time some nights. Austin comes home between 7 & 8. Depending on the day, we also may have Family Home Evening, a Young Women's Activity, basketball practice, or a mother/daughter book group. I have my own book group that meets even later. The kids are ready for bed by 8:30 or 9pm. Katie and Abbie like to stay up reading in bed. Right now we have the luxury of all sleeping through the night!

Go to sleep. Repeat.

Poopy Eye Yaks

"Poopy eye yaks! Poopy eye yaks!" Lizzie yells from the back seat every day on the way to School. In bloom all over Salt Lake City:

Purple Lilacs