Thursday, Thursday. Time to take a deep breath and dive in. The next 5 days are insanely busy, so I need to stay on top of things in order to make things go as smoothly as possible. School will be minimal, given the many other things that demand my attention. daycare child (8-5) school: dd6: math, phonics, dd9: TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing ds: TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language, household: empty/reload dishwasher, vacuum, clean bathrooms, 2 loads of laundry + put away 1 load from yesterday, trash/recycling, make bank deposit for GS troop get cooler & ice for drinks for tonight's Honor Society potluck & service project make sure dd16 has items packed for service project have dd16 put finishing touches on her entry for tonight's dessert contest Walmart dd9: art class (12-1pm) naptime for daycare child (1:30-3pm) dd16: dance class (4:30-5:30) drop daycare child off at her mom's work (5pm) drive back to pick dd16 up from dance (5:30) meet dh at church so he can pick up our other 3 kids (5:45) Honor Society potluck dinner/service project/Christmas social (6-9) dd6: Daisy Meeting (6:30-8pm)

We're off to a slow start this morning! DD9 was supposed to be have running club at 9:30 this morning, but it's cold and we don't want to voluntarily run outside when it's below freezing, so we're skipping this morning and staying home to get stuff done. school: dd6: math, phonics, reading dd9: TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing ds: TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing, science dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language household: empty/reload dishwasher, vacuum, dust, wipe down bathrooms, pay dd9 for extra chores she's been doing to earn Christmas $ pick up holiday clothes that I'm buying secondhand 12:30pm return library books go to bank to make deposits grocery store dd16 - Spanish class (12:45-2:15) pick daycare child up from preschool (1pm) naptime for daycare child (1:30-3pm) Advent reading/ornaments thaw fish for dinner Christmas caroling with kids' choir at nursing home (4:30-5:30) Christmas cookies & hot chocolate reception at church 5:30-6:30 dinner ds and dd16: Bible study at church (6:30-8pm) dd16: make dessert for Honor Society Christmas party tomorrow cleaning job (9pm-1am) sleep

4pm update:We've been home all day. There was a very bad accident involving a tractor-trailer on the road that connects us to town and the road has been closed since late morning. I didn't want to go the long way to get into town, so we've just stayed home. daycare child (8-5pm) school (beginning to wind down for the holidays) dd6: phonics, math, writing, reading dd9: TT, Megawords, handwriting, Advent writing, Wordly Wise ds: science, TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing, reading dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language, finish Spanish, take Chem test ds: create flyer for selling luminaria in neighborhood find flight for my dad to get home this weekend breathe household: empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & mop bathrooms, vacuum, 1 load of delicate laundry, clean toilets bank: make deposit send email for church ministry order Economics curriculum for dd16 for class starting in January return library books breathe inventory Christmas gifts/start wrapping Walmart / grocery store help ds figure out what food items he needs to purchase to finish assembling his emergency preparedness kits (he's finishing his Emergency Preparedness merit badge for Scouts). make dinner dd16: dance class 4-5pm Advent reading/ornaments plan Christmas baking / inventory ingredients / make shopping list breathe sleep

Ugh, Tuesday has already not been kind. The weather is very dreary. The kids are grumpy. My dad just called to say that my grandfather is not well and he may have to fly home this weekend. A dear friend is going through fertility treatments and the prognosis is not as positive as they had hoped. I'm tired of having to stay on top of my kids to get them to do their schoolwork and chores. Really, I'm just tired, so all the little things seem big. and worse than usual. I'm going to have to channel Pollyanna if I'm going to get through this day without losing it. daycare child (8-5pm) school (beginning to wind down for the holidays) dd6: phonics, math, writing, reading dd9: TT, Megawords, handwriting, Advent writing, Wordly Wise ds: science, TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing, reading dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language, finish Spanish, take Chem test ds: create flyer for selling luminaria in neighborhood find flight for my dad to get home this weekend breathe household: empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & mop bathrooms, vacuum, 1 load of delicate laundry, strip & wash bed linens, bank: make deposit send email for church ministry order Economics curriculum for dd16 for class starting in January return library books breathe inventory Christmas gifts/start wrapping Walmart / grocery store help ds figure out what food items he needs to purchase to finish assembling his emergency preparedness kits (he's finishing his Emergency Preparedness merit badge for Scouts). make dinner dd16: dance class 4-5pm Advent reading/ornaments plan Christmas baking / inventory ingredients / make shopping list breathe sleep

12pm check-in Good day so far! Yay! breakfast school (abbreviated day today) dd6: math, phonics, handwriting, reading dd9: TT, Megawords, handwriting, Advent writing, Wordly WIse ds: TT, Wordly Wise, Science, Advent writing dd16: finish APUSH paper & quiz, finish AP Language paper & quiz, Pre-Calc, work on test for Govt. household chores: empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & mop kitchen, dust, trash, move rugs & couch so I can mop hardwoods in living room; recycling move dog's crate to make room for Christmas tree Home Depot - get new stake for Christmas lights in yard have dd16 drop ds off at Great-Grandparents' house so he can put up their Christmas decorations for them dd16: Chem class (12:45-2:15) take dd9 and dd6 out shopping go to bank to make deposit return library books dd16: teach dance classes (4:30-6:30) dd9: dress rehearsal for church musical (4:30-6) run to Walmart with dd6 while dd9 is in rehearsal everyone meet up at Christmas tree farm to pick out our tree (7pm) dinner? Advent reading/ornament make decision regarding weather and the 5K Grinch run that the kids are supposed to run in the morning (it looks like its going to rain, so we may not do it) cleaning job (9pm-1am) *we normally work on Saturday night, but we're exercising our flexibility so we can attend the kids' musical tomorrow night without having to worry about cleaning afterward.*

I'm a firm believer in taking opportunities when they are given to us, so I would probably take the extra cleaning job. On the other hand, as someone who has a cleaning job 2 nights per week, I know how much I treasure those nights when we don't have to do it and we can just be home and relax. What a tough decision! I will be praying for God's guidance in knowing what is best for your family. If you do decide to do it, could it just be for a short period of time (long enough to pay down debt) and then go back to just being twice per week?

Happy Friday! I'm hoping that today will be a much better day than yesterday! breakfast school (abbreviated day today) dd6: math, phonics, handwriting, reading dd9: TT, Megawords, handwriting, Advent writing, Wordly WIse ds: TT, Wordly Wise, Science, Advent writing dd16: finish APUSH paper & quiz, finish AP Language paper, Pre-Calc, work on test for Govt. household chores: empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & mop kitchen,dust, move rugs & couch so I can mop hardwoods in living room; recycling move dog's crate to make room for Christmas tree Home Depot - get new stake for Christmas lights in yard have dd16 drop ds off at Great-Grandparents' house so he can put up their Christmas decorations for them dd16: Chem class (12:45-2:15) dd16: teach dance classes (4:30-6:30) dd9: dress rehearsal for church musical (4:30-6) everyone meet up at Christmas tree farm to pick out our tree (7pm) dinner? Advent reading/ornament make decision regarding weather and the 5K Grinch run that the kids are supposed to run in the morning (it looks like its going to rain, so we may not do it) cleaning job (9pm-1am)

I have officially been tackled by Thursday. I have given up on my to-do list. To keep from actually :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: , I called dh and asked him to pick up chinese food on his way home for dinner. I don't normally drink, but I may ask him to bring home one of those pre-mixed margarita drinks in the pouch for after the kids go to bed. It's been "that" kind of afternoon.

Ugh! Today has been frustrating, at best. It seems like every task leads to more tasks. I just ate a large bowl of ice cream to help myself "chill out!" daycare child (8am-5pm) household: empty/reload dishwasher, 2 loads of laundry, vacuum, wipe down bathrooms & kitchen, recycling, school: dd6: math, phonics, handwriting dd9: TT, handwriting, Advent writing, Megawords, Wordly Wise, history ds: Wordly Wise, TT, Advent writing, history, science dd16: Pre-Calc, finish Chem reading, APUSH, AP Language, work on Govt test. deliver tool to my dad at work dd9: art class (12-1pm) dd16: dance class (4:30-5:30pm) dd16: dress rehearsal for dance show (7-8:30) prep dinner (I think I"m going to convince dh to bring home take-out). Advent reading/ornaments read about St. Nick work on inside Christmas decorations

Love hearing about all the Sinterklaas and St. Nick traditions that families have! I'm hoping for a productive Thursday, but at the same time I'm really not "feeling the motivation!" daycare child (8am-5pm) household: empty/reload dishwasher, 2 loads of laundry, vacuum, wipe down bathrooms & kitchen, recycling, school: dd6: math, phonics, handwriting dd9: TT, handwriting, Advent writing, Megawords, Wordly Wise, history ds: Wordly Wise, TT, Advent writing, history, science dd16: Pre-Calc, finish Chem reading, APUSH, AP Language, work on Govt test. deliver tool to my dad at work dd9: art class (12-1pm) dd16: dance class (4:30-5:30pm) dd16: dress rehearsal for dance show (7-8:30) prep dinner Advent reading/ornaments read about St. Nick work on inside Christmas decorations

3:30pm update: So far, so good. We've had a fairly productive day. daycare child 8-4:30 school dd6: math, phonics, handwriting dd9: Megawords, TT, handwriting, Advent writing pages, Wordly Wise, history, reading ds: history, TT, Science, Advent writing pages, Wordly Wise, reading dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc, reading for Chemistry, Govt. household: empty/reload dishwasher, wash knives from last night's dinner, 2 loads of laundry, vacuum, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & mop kitchen (didn't get done last night) dd9 and dd16: 2.5 mile run meet lady to buy Christmas t-shirts (2pm) pick up Christmas present that I ordered online (might have to do this on Wednesday since I can't do it while dd16 is with me) go to bank to make deposits write out and mail bills make payment at Kohls grocery store work on inside Christmas decorations Advent reading/ornaments dd16: dance class (4-5pm) dd16: pick up needed parade items at Sally's dd16: find earrings for Sunday's parade gym? organize and finalize Christmas list for family

daycare child 8-4:30 school dd6: math, phonics, handwriting dd9: Megawords, TT, handwriting, Advent writing pages, Wordly Wise, history, reading ds: history, TT, Science, Advent writing pages, Wordly Wise, reading dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc, reading for Chemistry, Govt. household: empty/reload dishwasher, wash knives from last night's dinner, 2 loads of laundry, vacuum, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & mop kitchen (didn't get done last night) dd9 and dd16: 2.5 mile run meet lady to buy Christmas t-shirts (2pm) pick up Christmas present that I ordered online go to bank to make deposits write out and mail bills make payment at Kohls grocery store work on inside Christmas decorations Advent reading/ornaments dd16: dance class (4-5pm) dd16: pick up needed parade items at Sally's dd16: find earrings for Sunday's parade gym?

4:15pm. Had lunch and showered & changed out of running clothes...then we had a really productive afternoon! Yay! Advent reading print off Advent writing sheets for kids make Advent ornaments Moving this to Tuesday's list listen to Christmas music school: dd6: handwriting, phonics, math, math puzzles dd9: handwriting, TT, FLL, Advent writing, Wordly Wise, Megawords, history ds: TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing, Science, history dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language household: empty/reload dishwasher, sweep/mop kitchen & bathrooms, wipe down bathroom counters, 2 loads of laundry (First Load in Progress), vacuum work on getting inside Christmas decorations set up hang Jesse Tree go to bank for GS troop to make deposit Pushing this to Tuesday's list as I did not drive into town today get money to pay for Barbie items that I'm purchasing for dd6 from a friend ($16) clean up front porch (put away all the rubbermaid tubs with extra lights) dinner prep? dd16: Govt class (9-10:30am) dd6: dance class (4-5pm) dd16: dance class (4:30-8:45) dd16: pick up dress from the tailor dd16: run by Sally's to pick up needed items for next weekend's parade Pushing this to Tuesday's list as I did not drive into town today dd16: earrings for parade (borrow from friend? or go to store?) Pushing this to Tuesday's list as I did not drive into town today dd6: 1 mile run dd9: 2 mile run ds: 3 mile run me: exercise (treadmill) did week 2, day 1 of C25K (had to start over since I hadn't done it in so long! I did 2.25 miles in 30 minutes

12:45 check-in: Productive day so far. I'm off to shower and change out of my running clothes while the kids eat lunch and do some chores. Advent reading print off Advent writing sheets for kids make Advent ornaments listen to Christmas music school: dd6: handwriting, phonics, math, math puzzles dd9: handwriting, TT, FLL, Advent writing, Wordly Wise, Megawords, history ds: TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing, Science, history dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language household: empty/reload dishwasher, sweep/mop kitchen & bathrooms, wipe down bathroom counters, 2-3 loads of laundry, vacuum work on getting inside Christmas decorations set up hang Jesse Tree go to bank for GS troop to make deposit get money to pay for Barbie items that I'm purchasing for dd6 from a friend ($16) clean up front porch (put away all the rubbermaid tubs with extra lights) dinner prep? dd16: Govt class (9-10:30am) dd6: dance class (4-5pm) dd16: dance class (4:30-8:45) dd16: pick up dress from the tailor dd16: run by Sally's to pick up needed items for next weekend's parade dd16: earrings for parade (borrow from friend? or go to store?) dd6: 1 mile run dd9: 2 mile run ds: 3 mile run me: exercise (treadmill) did week 2, day 1 of C25K (had to start over since I hadn't done it in so long! I did 2.25 miles in 30 minutes

So much going on and so much to do, but I'm focused on finding balance so that we can savor the season and truly enjoy Advent. Advent reading print off Advent writing sheets for kids make Advent ornaments listen to Christmas music school: dd6: handwriting, phonics, math, math puzzles dd9: handwriting, TT, FLL, Advent writing, Wordly Wise, Megawords, history ds: TT, Wordly Wise, Advent writing, Science, history dd16: Pre-Calc, Spanish?, APUSH, AP Language household: empty/reload dishwasher, sweep/mop kitchen & bathrooms, wipe down bathroom counters, 2-3 loads of laundry, vacuum work on getting inside Christmas decorations set up hang Jesse Tree go to bank for GS troop to make deposit get money to pay for Barbie items that I'm purchasing for dd6 from a friend ($16) clean up front porch (put away all the rubbermaid tubs with extra lights) dinner prep? dd16: Govt class (9-10:30am) dd6: dance class (4-5pm) dd16: dance class (4:30-8:45) dd16: run by Sally's to pick up needed items for next weekend's parade dd16: earrings for parade (borrow from friend? or go to store?) dd6 & dd9: 1.5 mile run ds: 2.5 mile run? me: exercise (treadmill)

It's time for me to get back to "tackling" before the house falls apart! We've had a glorious 2 days of "memory making" with the kids and celebrating Thanksgiving. chores: empty/reload dishwasher, wash pans, scrub sink, wipe down bathrooms, sweep, mop & vacuum, 2 loads of laundry, dust ds and dh are going to a college football game in a bit, so they'll be gone 11-5 go to Target? find white keds for dd16 to wear in the parades (her pair has gone missing since last December) drop off library books take recycling & trash to the dump menu plan grocery shopping for the coming week make dinner take out Advent wreath and books so it is ready for tomorrow

Well, I could have sworn that I typed up a whole post and posted it this morning, but now I can't find it! :confused1: We are having a relaxing day at home since the weather is cold and rainy. We are already on "Thanksgiving Break," so no school work is on our agenda today. My family will be managing the kitchen at church on Thursday as we prepare, serve, and deliver meals to 500-600 members of our community. So today is the "calm before the storm!" Tomorrow we will ramp up the preparations and Thursday will be crazy busy! daycare child 7:45-5pm 3 loads of laundry scrub toilets empty/reload dishwasher prep chicken and dumplings in the crockpot for dinner sweep & mop kitchen & bathrooms wipe down bathroom counters declutter count donations at church to see if I need to get anything else at the store go to Walmart for volunteer refreshments for Thursday (don't forget to pick up 5 cans of cooking spray too) vacuum living room & bedrooms go to Thanksgiving service at church (7-8pm) relax and rest up - tomorrow we'll be cleaning the church kitchen & beginning prep for the big meal on Thursday.

I had an early start to my Friday as I had to get up at 5:15am and drive dh to work so that I can use his car today (van is still in the shop--praying that the mechanic finishes with it today). get dd16 ready and off to a dance program which allows high school students to take dance classes at the college for the day school (light day) dd6: phonics, reading dd9: Worldly Wise, TT, Megawords, handwriting ds: Wordly Wise, TT, science dd16: APUSH, AP Language housework: empty/reload dishwasher, 2 loads of laundry, wipe down bathrooms get bday present (and wrap it) for dd9 to take to bday party this afternoon take dd9 to birthday party (1-3pm) take dd6 and ds to do something "fun" while their sister is at the bday party shopping at Trader Joe's pick up dh at work (4pm) pick up race packets for the 5K run that dd9 and dd16 are running tomorrow morning dinner

9:40pm check-in daycare child 7:45-5:45pm school dd6: phonics, math, reading, handwriting, dd9: TT, Megawords, Wordly Wise, history, reading, handwriting ds: TT, Wordly Wise, history, science, reading, dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language, household: laundry (1 loads), empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms, clean toilets, sweep, vacuum, load up Thanksgiving supplies and haul to church / organize & count what we have collected so far help with OCC collection at church grocery store -- must do. we are out of laundry detergent (yikes) get gas in dd's jeep return library books dd9 - art class 12-1pm naptime for daycare child dinner prep get a birthday party for dd9's friend (bday party is tomorrow) Didn't make it out, will have to get it early tomorrow (before the party) dd16: dance classes 4-8:30pm dinner go to bed early

3:30pm check-in daycare child 7:45-5:45pm school dd6: phonics, math, reading, handwriting, dd9: TT, Megawords, Wordly Wise, history, reading, handwriting ds: TT, Wordly Wise, history, science, reading, dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language, household: laundry (3 loads), empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms, clean toilets, sweep, vacuum, load up Thanksgiving supplies and haul to church / organize & count what we have collected so far help with OCC collection at church grocery store -- must do. we are out of laundry detergent (yikes) get gas in dd's jeep return library books dd9 - art class 12-1pm naptime for daycare child dinner prep get a birthday party for dd9's friend (bday party is tomorrow) dd16: dance classes 4-8:30pm dinner go to bed early

I am so tired that I feel like all the previous days of the week ganged up on me and tackled ME during the few hours of sleep I got last night. But, apparently there is no rest for the weary, so I have to carry on today. daycare child 7:45-5:45pm school dd6: phonics, math, reading, handwriting, dd9: TT, Megawords, Wordly Wise, history, reading, handwriting ds: TT, Wordly Wise, history, science, reading, dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language, household: laundry (3 loads), empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms, clean toilets, sweep, vacuum, load up Thanksgiving supplies and haul to church / organize & count what we have collected so far help with OCC collection at church grocery store -- must do. we are out of laundry detergent (yikes) get gas in dd's jeep return library books dd9 - art class 12-1pm naptime for daycare child dinner prep get a birthday party for dd9's friend (bday party is tomorrow) dd16: dance classes 4-8:30pm dinner go to bed early

Late to the thread, but only because I've been so busy tackling the day that I haven't had a chance to sit down until now! get up way too early to drive dh to work so I can use his car during the day (van still in shop) shower/change feed kids breakfast make queso in mini crockpot for ds' fiesta in Spanish class take girls to dd9's running club practice take ds to Spanish class (11-12) dd16 Spanish Class (12;45-2:15) go to church so that dd9 and dd6 can put rainbow loom bracelets in the Operation Christmas Child boxes that have been collected. (the girls have 240 bracelets that they have made or collected from friends. They are praying over each bracelet before placing it in an OCC box. Too sweet!) pick up daycare child from preschool (1pm) naptime for daycare child get gas in dh's car pick up birthday candles for cake that ds made for his bible study leader's bday tonight finish buying stuff to go in the OCC box that we are donating children's musical practice at church 4-6 inventory & reorganize donations for Thanksgiving luncheon at church pick up dh from work 5:45 pick up dinner for dd16 and ds to eat between church activities dinner for the rest of the family dd16 and ds - Bible study groups 6:30-8 household: empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down kitchen & bathrooms, trash/recycling/composting, school: dd6: writing, math, reading dd9: history, reading, writing, art, math, Megawords, ds: Spanish, math, Wordly Wise, history, reading dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc, Govt.

Feeling completely overwhelmed by all that needs my attention (there's a lot that I didn't even list on this "tackle list"). I did eat a half pint of my favorite ice cream to help soothe some of the stress (can you say - emotional eater?). daycare child (7:45am-4:15pm) school: dd6: math, reading, handwriting (did a whole week's worth of phonics yesterday, so we have a light day today) dd9: TT, Megawords, Wordly Wise, history, reading, spanish? ds: Spanish homework, TT, Wordly Wise, history, reading, science dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc, Spanish, Govt, Chemistry household: strip beds/wash sheets/remake beds, empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms & kitchen, mop kitchen & bathroom floors, 1 load of laundry, vacuum, dust, declutter 3 mile run for dd9 and dd16 work on Thanksgiving inventory/shopping list for church meal send emails regarding two ministries at church dd16; dance class 4-5pm dinner go to store (once dh gets home with the car) to pick up queso and tortilla chips for ds' spanish class celebration tomorrow have dh put buckets of clothes & Halloween decorations back into attic

Well, I'm mostly stuck at home since my van is back in the shop AGAIN! UGH! I might be able to borrow my dd's car this morning to run into town to get a few things that we need. daycare child (7:45am-4:15pm) school: dd6: math, reading, handwriting (did a whole week's worth of phonics yesterday, so we have a light day today) dd9: TT, Megawords, Wordly Wise, history, reading, spanish? ds: Spanish homework, TT, Wordly Wise, history, reading, science dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc, Spanish, Govt, Chemistry household: strip beds/wash sheets/remake beds, empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathrooms & kitchen, mop kitchen & bathroom floors, 1 load of laundry, vacuum, dust, declutter 3 mile run for dd9 and dd16 work on Thanksgiving inventory/shopping list dinner prep dd16; dance class 4-5pm have dh put buckets of clothes & Halloween decorations back into attic

Happy birthday, Jean! I hope you have a wonderful day! Tackle some cake today instead of chores, okay?!