I've been up since 6am since dd16 is taking the SAT today and I felt the need to get up and give "moral support" and make sure she had a good breakfast, etc. DD6 also got up early (probably because she heard her sissy's alarm clock). So far, we've had breakfast, watched a cartoon, and seen dd16 off. get the rest of the family up and fed get ready for soccer soccer games (dd9 and ds have games at the same time, but in two different towns. DH and I are going to have to "divide and conquer.") reconvene at the house for lunch showers/change clothes household chores (vacuum, clean kitchen & bathrooms, maybe dh will finish mowing grass?) taking kids to see Wizard of Oz in 3-D with a group from dd's dance studio (2:30-5pm) dh is going out with a group of guys from church (4-8pm) dd16 is going to a dance performance with a friend (5:30-9?) dinner pick up dd16 after performance (she can't drive after 9pm since she's a new driver) relax get everything ready for church on Sunday morning sleep

10pm update: very productive (but not too stressful) day! Wish all days could be like this one! gym - had a great workout, but I think I'm going to feel it tomorrow since I haven't been going regularly for the past month or so. shower and change phonics/reading/math for dd6 math/WWE/FLL/hw for dd9 typing/English/math/science for ds APUSH/government/AP Language for dd16 lunch have ds start mowing grass finished front lawn with exception of ditch; still need to do back yard--might leave this task for dh wash van and Jeep vacuum van and Jeep? Maybe tomorrow go to bank to make deposit Will have to do this on Monday household chores (1 load of laundry, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & vacuum) make dinner for kids (dh and I are going on a date) dinner date with dh shopping with dh for a new deep freezer (romantic date, huh?) ordered a 16.7 cu ft freezer. will be delivered next Friday tv time pack everything for tomorrow morning's soccer games print out dd16's admission ticket for tomorrow morning's SAT test print out homeschool discount card wait for dd9 to come home from going to football game with neighbors order ticket for dd16 to go to a dance performance tomorrow night sleep

Just helped my ds mow part of our front lawn....determined that the "self-propel" feature this mower had 10 years ago when it was new is no longer operational. I really wish we had the money to invest in a riding mower!

.

We've had a lazy morning here so far....but it's been good. Time spent talking with teenage daughter about important things in life is so much more precious than getting another household chore done! So far, we've had breakfast and cleaned the kitchen. I'm sitting here in my pajamas debating whether I should take a shower and start school or if I should throw on gym clothes and head to the Y. I think I'm going to force myself to go exercise. I definitely need it and dd9 needs to be running regularly for running club. gym - had a great workout, but I think I'm going to feel it tomorrow since I haven't been going regularly for the past month or so. shower and change phonics/reading/math for dd6 math/WWE/FLL/hw for dd9 typing/English/math/science for ds APUSH/government/AP Language for dd16 lunch have ds start mowing grass finished front lawn with exception of ditch; still need to do back yard--might leave this task for dh wash van and Jeep? vacuum van and Jeep? go to bank to make deposit household chores (1 load of laundry, wipe down bathrooms, sweep & vacuum) make dinner for kids (dh and I are going on a date) dinner date with dh shopping with dh for a new deep freezer (romantic date, huh?) tv time pack everything for tomorrow morning's soccer games print out dd16's admission ticket for tomorrow morning's SAT test print out homeschool discount card sleep

STILL TO DO: shower & get dressed phonics/math/reading for dd6 WWE/FLL/math/handwriting for dd9 English, math, science for ds order new history materials check-in with dd16 to see how she's doing on week's assignments reorganize toys in the living room (move some out to the playhouse) wash Jeep and van? Maybe tomorrow vacuum vehicles? Maybe tomorrow take dd9 to art class (12-1pm) afternoon chores (wipe down kitchen & bathrooms, vacuum living room & bedrooms, sweep bathrooms, clean toilets, do 1 load of laundry) have ds start mowing grass (it's getting long and they are predicting a lot of rain early next week) another task getting shuffled to tomorrow's list dd16 dance classes (4-5, 7:30-8:30) dd9 soccer practice 6-7pm dinner for dh and I (kids are eating with grandma before soccer practice) showers/bedtimes for kids still need to give dd6 a bath in the morning--bit of a pain to do with her cast on her arm look at Spanish curriculum that I've been wanting to start with my younger two for the past month and a half. tv time bed

4pm update: Well, my mom ended up coming and picking up my younger 3 this afternoon since she was off from work. So, my list is going down the drain a bit, but I am enjoying the peace! I've been having trouble with the boards and being able to read or update threads. STILL TO DO: shower & get dressed phonics/math/reading for dd6 WWE/FLL/math/handwriting for dd9 English, math, science for ds order new history materials check-in with dd16 to see how she's doing on week's assignments reorganize toys in the living room (move some out to the playhouse) wash Jeep and van? Maybe tomorrow vacuum vehicles? Maybe tomorrow take dd9 to art class (12-1pm) afternoon chores (wipe down kitchen & bathrooms, vacuum living room & bedrooms, sweep bathrooms, clean toilets, do 1 load of laundry) have ds start mowing grass (it's getting long and they are predicting a lot of rain early next week) another task getting shuffled to tomorrow's list dd16 dance classes (4-5, 7:30-8:30) dd9 soccer practice 6-7pm dinner for dh and I (kids are eating with grandma before soccer practice) showers/bedtimes for kids look at Spanish curriculum that I've been wanting to start with my younger two for the past month and a half. tv time bed

Exhaustion has set in. Is it Friday yet? DONE: dragged myself out of bed (45 minutes later than usual) breakfast for the kids STILL TO DO: shower & get dressed phonics/math/reading for dd6 WWE/FLL/math/handwriting for dd9 English, math, science for ds order new history materials check-in with dd16 to see how she's doing on week's assignments reorganize toys in the living room (move some out to the playhouse) wash Jeep and van? vacuum vehicles? take dd9 to art class (12-1pm) afternoon chores (wipe down kitchen & bathrooms, vacuum living room & bedrooms, sweep bathrooms, clean toilets, do 1 load of laundry) have ds start mowing grass (it's getting long and they are predicting a lot of rain early next week) dinner dd16 dance classes (4-5, 7:30-8:30) dd9 soccer practice 6-7pm showers/bedtimes for kids look at Spanish curriculum that I've been wanting to start with my younger two for the past month and a half. tv time bed

Almost 1:30pm here and this is the first time I've been on the computer this morning! DONE: up, showered, dressed made breakfast for everyone b/c dh took the day off dh took dd16 to get her license -- she passed, so we now have another driver in the house! WOW! took dd9 to running club did school with dd6 during running club time (she can't run b/c she has a broken arm in a sling). took ds to Spanish class cleaned out van lunch sent dd16 off to Spanish class (her first solo trip driving!) school with dd9 (math, WWE, FLL, hw) school with ds (math, english, science) baked brownies for dd16 to take to small group at church this evening STILL TO DO: order new history books for dd9 and ds cut brownies and put in tupperware pack dinner for dd16 and ds to eat in between choir practice and small group study put away laundry that was line drying do 1 load of laundry vacuum living room prep dinner for dh to cook while the kids and I are at choir practice at church children's choir (I'm subbing as a leader today) 4-6 dinner bedtime for 2 younger girls go to work (8:30pm-2am -- it's going to be a looooong night!)

Almost 1:30pm here and this is the first time I've been on the computer this morning! DONE: up, showered, dressed made breakfast for everyone b/c dh took the day off dh took dd16 to get her license -- she passed, so we now have another driver in the house! WOW! took dd9 to running club did school with dd6 during running club time (she can't run b/c she has a broken arm in a sling). took ds to Spanish class cleaned out van lunch sent dd16 off to Spanish class (her first solo trip driving!) school with dd9 (math, WWE, FLL, hw) school with ds (math, english, science) baked brownies for dd16 to take to small group at church this evening STILL TO DO: order new history books for dd9 and ds cut brownies and put in tupperware pack dinner for dd16 and ds to eat in between choir practice and small group study put away laundry that was line drying do 1 load of laundry vacuum living room prep dinner for dh to cook while the kids and I are at choir practice at church children's choir (I'm subbing as a leader today) 4-6 dinner bedtime for 2 younger girls go to work (8:30pm-2am -- it's going to be a looooong night!)

almost 1pm update: So far, so good. We've made a lot of progress despite the distraction of dd's arm and the fact that we had two "extras" here this morning. STILL TO DO: daycare children (I have an extra one today) will be here 9-12 school empty/reload dishwasher (dd16) do 2 loads of laundry/fold and put away call insurance and have them fax form that dd16 needs to take her licensing test tomorrow write out and mail bills call grandma work on GS financials and make troop deposit lunch afternoon chores (wipe down kitchen & bathrooms, vacuum, ds-mow grass?) take dd16 to dance (4-5pm) email ds' coach to let him know that he's not going to be at soccer this evening dinner -- I don't have to cook because a sweet friend is bringing us dinner! meeting with church member to transition Thanksgiving ministry duties from her to me (yikes!) bedtime

I'm in. I was so tired this morning that I turned off my alarm, started my morning routine of checking my phone and then headed to the shower......AND then I woke up 20 minutes later. Apparently I forgot to get up out of the bed and fell back to sleep. At least I was being productive in my dreams, right?!? DONE: up, showered, and dressed breakfast folded 1 load of laundry straightened dd6's dresser (took out some items that no longer fit or that aren't the right season) STILL TO DO: daycare children (I have an extra one today) will be here 9-12 school IN PROGRESS empty/reload dishwasher (dd16) do 2 loads of laundry/fold and put away call insurance and have them fax form that dd16 needs to take her licensing test tomorrow Called & left msg. No one was in the office. Hope they return my call quickly since dd is scheduled to take her test tomorrow morning at 9am and needs this form. write out and mail bills call grandma work on GS financials and make troop deposit lunch afternoon chores (wipe down kitchen & bathrooms, vacuum, ds-mow grass?) take dd16 to dance (4-5pm) email ds' coach to let him know that he's not going to be at soccer this evening dinner meeting with church friend to transition Thanksgiving ministry duties from her to me (yikes!) bedtime

8pm update. DD6 has had a decent day, although I did not push her to do school. I can tell she's still under the effects of the pain meds from yesterday/last night. She has been okay on just ibuprofen and tylenol (alternating) all day. Not sure whether I will go back to the Lortab for overnight or not. She's not in too much pain, so I'm tempted to just stick with regular tylenol and ibuprofen. STILL TO DO: breakfast shower and get dressed take dd15 to Government class (9-10:30) go to Trader Joe's while dd is at class school work (not sure how much dd6 will be able to do since she broke the hand she writes with) call Orthopedic dr to set up follow-up appt. email dd6's soccer coach to let him know that she won't be able to play the rest of the season general house clean-up (finish laundry, put away "stuff," sweep/vacuum/mop, wipe down kitchen & bathrooms) cook dinner -- ended up picking up dinner while we were out. take dd15 to dance (4pm) dd9 - Girl Scout meeting (6:30-8) ds and dh - Boy Scouts (7-9) pick up dd15 from dance (8:45) (dh is going to leave Boy Scouts to pick her up so I can get my little one in bed at a decent time). bedtime

After an insanely busy weekend, I am not so sure about tackling Monday. My oldest dd's 16th bday was Saturday, so we had a family party on Friday and a "friend party" on Saturday. We also had three soccer games and a baby shower to attend on Saturday. On Sunday, my dh participated in and completed his first triathlon! After the race, we were gathered at the end and the kids were playing on the playground. My youngest fell and broke her arm. In 16 years of parenting, this was our first experience with the emergency room or a broken bone. She is doing well, considering she broke both bones in her right forearm. They were able to put her under anesthesia and do a closed reduction. She has a soft cast for the next week or so and the orthopedic dr will put on a hard cast. DONE: dragged my tired behind out of the bed gave dd6 some pain meds STILL TO DO: breakfast shower and get dressed take dd15 to Government class (9-10:30) go to Trader Joe's while dd is at class school work (not sure how much dd6 will be able to do since she broke the hand she writes with) call Orthopedic dr to set up follow-up appt. email dd6's soccer coach to let him know that she won't be able to play the rest of the season general house clean-up (finish laundry, put away "stuff," sweep/vacuum/mop, wipe down kitchen & bathrooms) cook dinner take dd15 to dance (4pm) dd9 - Girl Scout meeting (6:30-8) ds and dh - Boy Scouts (7-9) pick up dd15 from dance (8:45) bedtime dd

3pm check-in STILL TO DO: make a big breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, hash browns, and bacon.....it's dd's bday request and since the other kids all have soccer games tomorrow morning, we're going to do the bday breakfast today shower school (just wrapping up a few things) take dd to Chemistry class (12:30) wrap bday presents pick up shower gift for baby shower we're going to tomorrow afternoon/wrap pick up dd from Chemistry (2:15) do 2 loads of laundry take kids to park so dd9 and ds can run (ds is training for a half marathon and dd9 is training for a 5K with a girls' running group) walked 2 miles while kids were running and playing wash dog afternoon chores (trash, sweep/vacuum, wipe down bathrooms & kitchen, fold & put away 1 load of laundry) pick up ice cream cake from Dairy Queen (4pm) DH is going to pick it up on his way home from work! Yay! math tutoring for dd15 with dh go to grandparents' house for dd's family bday party (5pm) pack soccer bags/cooler for tomorrow's early morning soccer games relax sleep

11:30am We've actually been very productive in the past two hours. So much so, that I've actually added a few more things to our "to do" list since it seems that we will be able to get it done! STILL TO DO: make a big breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, hash browns, and bacon.....it's dd's bday request and since the other kids all have soccer games tomorrow morning, we're going to do the bday breakfast today shower school (just wrapping up a few things) take dd to Chemistry class (12:30) wrap bday presents pick up shower gift for baby shower we're going to tomorrow afternoon/wrap pick up dd from Chemistry (2:15) do 2 loads of laundry take kids to park so dd9 and ds can run (ds is training for a half marathon and dd9 is training for a 5K with a girls' running group) afternoon chores (trash, sweep/vacuum, wipe down bathrooms & kitchen, fold & put away 1 load of laundry) pick up ice cream cake from Dairy Queen (4pm) math tutoring for dd15 with dh go to grandparents' house for dd's family bday party (5pm) pack soccer bags/cooler for tomorrow's early morning soccer games relax sleep

I actually slept in a bit this morning (till 7:40 instead of 6:30). It felt good, but I do have a lot to get done today! Tomorrow is my oldest dd's 16th birthday! DONE: get up -- that's not very productive considering it's almost 9am and I'm still in my jammies! STILL TO DO: make a big breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, hash browns, and bacon.....it's dd's bday request and since the other kids all have soccer games tomorrow morning, we're going to do the bday breakfast today shower school (just wrapping up a few things) take dd to Chemistry class (12:30) wrap bday presents pick up shower gift for baby shower we're going to tomorrow afternoon pick up dd from Chemistry (2:15) afternoon chores (trash, sweep/vacuum, wipe down bathrooms & kitchen, fold & put away 1 load of laundry) pick up ice cream cake from Dairy Queen go to grandparents' house for dd's family bday party (5pm) pack soccer bags/cooler for tomorrow's early morning soccer games relax sleep

9pm update: STILL TO DO: school (special focus areas for today: phonics for dd6, WWE/FLL for dd9, and English for ds) order bday cake for dd15's "family party" tomorrow night (Dairy Queen?) order fancy cupcakes for dd15's "friend party" on Saturday night laundry (2 loads need to get done today, plus an extra load that is sitting in the dryer waiting to be folded and put away) prep dinner in crockpot (ended up making chicken and dumplings in the crockpot) go to bank to make Girl Scout deposit go to our bank to make deposit return library books lunch dd9's art class (12-1pm) get daycare child ready to go to her grandma's retirement party and drop her off at her mom's work (2:25) afternoon chores (vacuum, sweep, wipe down kitchen & bathroom counters, trash, recycling) dd15 dance class (4:30-5:30) took other kids shopping for bday presents for their sister snack before soccer practice dd9 soccer practice (6-7pm) dinner math tutoring for dd15 with dh relax sleep

1:45pm check in. Had a nice time chatting with some other moms while waiting for dd9 to come out of art class. We've also managed to get a good chunk of schoolwork done today and the kids are now working on their afternoon chores. When I come back from dropping daycare child off for her mom, we will finish up history questions before we leave for evening extracurriculars. STILL TO DO: school (special focus areas for today: phonics for dd6, WWE/FLL for dd9, and English for ds) order bday cake for dd15's "family party" tomorrow night (Dairy Queen?) order fancy cupcakes for dd15's "friend party" on Saturday night laundry (2 loads need to get done today, plus an extra load that is sitting in the dryer waiting to be folded and put away) prep dinner in crockpot (ended up making chicken and dumplings in the crockpot) go to bank to make Girl Scout deposit go to our bank to make deposit return library books lunch dd9's art class (12-1pm) get daycare child ready to go to her grandma's retirement party and drop her off at her mom's work (2:25) afternoon chores (vacuum, sweep, wipe down kitchen & bathroom counters, trash, recycling) dd15 dance class (4:30-5:30) snack before soccer practice dd9 soccer practice (6-7pm) dinner showers for kids math tutoring for dd15 with dh relax sleep

Busy day ahead... DONE: up, showered, dressed breakfast daycare child arrived (8am) empty/reload dishwasher (dd15) STILL TO DO: school (special focus areas for today: phonics for dd6, WWE/FLL for dd9, and English for ds) order bday cake for dd15's "family party" tomorrow night (Dairy Queen?) order fancy cupcakes for dd15's "friend party" on Saturday night laundry (2 loads need to get done today, plus an extra load that is sitting in the dryer waiting to be folded and put away) prep dinner in crockpot (Angel Chicken?) go to bank to make Girl Scout deposit go to our bank to make deposit return library books lunch dd9's art class (12-1pm) get daycare child ready to go to her grandma's retirement party and drop her off at her mom's work (2:25) afternoon chores (vacuum, sweep, wipe down kitchen & bathroom counters, trash, recycling) dd15 dance class (4:30-5:30) snack before soccer practice dd9 soccer practice (6-7pm) dinner showers for kids math tutoring for dd15 with dh relax sleep

It has been such a busy day that I haven't even had a chance to check in yet today! 3:15pm: DONE: up and dressed breakfast girl's running club practice for dd9 (ds also got his 5 mile run in while we were at the park waiting for his sister). Spanish class for ds (11-12pm) lunch Spanish class for dd15 (12:45-2:15) ran errands got bday present for friend picked up daycare child from preschool (1pm) school work (minimal since it's been such a busy day--we managed to squeeze in math for all, handwriting for dd6 and dd9, phonics for dd6, science & english for ds; dd15 has had a full day of schoolwork--she doesn't have the luxury of scaling back since most of her classes are outsourced to other teachers) household chores (sweeping, dishes, trash, 1 load of laundry) STILL TO DO: children's choir rehearsal at church (4-6pm) dd15 and ds have small group study at church (6:30-8pm); ds packed dinner for them and they will eat at church between activities soccer practice for dd6 ?? (5:30-6:30, unless the rain moves in quickly and rains it out) dinner for the rest of the fam (no idea what we're going to have) showers/baths for younger girls bedtime pick up big kids from church (8:30) go to work (9pm-1am) fold and put away laundry (probably won't end up happening until tomorrow) sleep

Hope you get a "second wind," Jean! And kudos to your son for making dinner!

8:45pm update: I'm thinking of blowing off the rest of my list and just watching tv this evening! I'm so tired, the thought of doing anything physically or mentally challenging is too much for me to bear right now! pick up bday present for my friend/wrap present and fill out card Didn't make it to the store, will have to go tomorrow afternoon while dd is at Spanish class make bank deposit for GS troop schoolwork empty & reload dishwasher (dd15) call to make appt for dd15 to take her driving test next week call insurance co to have them fax necessary paperwork to DMV for dd to get her license order bday cakes for dd's bday this weekend (ice cream cake for Friday night, peanut butter cake for Saturday night) afternoon chores (vacuuming, bathrooms, sweeping, dusting) laundry (2 loads) drop dd15 off at dance class (3:45pm) drop daycare child off at her mom's school (4:20pm) pick up dinner for kids (pizza) (pack drinks and paper products in cooler so we can picnic at soccer fields) pick up dd15 from dance (5pm) ds' soccer practice haircut appt for me (7pm)....ugh! I have to take all the kids with me since we won't have time to go home and dh is working bedtime for kids homework for dd15 fold/put away laundry work on lesson plans relax and finally go to bed

3pm check-in pick up bday present for my friend/wrap present and fill out card make bank deposit for GS troop schoolwork empty & reload dishwasher (dd15) call to make appt for dd15 to take her driving test next week call insurance co to have them fax necessary paperwork to DMV for dd to get her license order bday cakes for dd's bday this weekend (ice cream cake for Friday night, peanut butter cake for Saturday night) afternoon chores (vacuuming, bathrooms, sweeping, dusting) laundry (2 loads) IN PROGRESS drop dd15 off at dance class (3:45pm) drop daycare child off at her mom's school (4:20pm) pick up dinner for kids (pizza) (pack drinks and paper products in cooler so we can picnic at soccer fields) pick up dd15 from dance (5pm) ds' soccer practice haircut appt for me (7pm)....ugh! I have to take all the kids with me since we won't have time to go home and dh is working bedtime for kids homework for dd15 fold/put away laundry work on lesson plans relax and finally go to bed

DONE: layed in bed trying to figure out what day of the week it is dragged myself out of bed and showered and got dressed did a mental countdown of how many hours until I can crawl back into bed (about 17-18 hours). Can you tell I'm tired this morning? breakfast got kids to take showers since we got home too late last night daycare child arrived (8am) STILL TO DO: pick up bday present for my friend/wrap present and fill out card make bank deposit for GS troop schoolwork empty & reload dishwasher (dd15) call to make appt for dd15 to take her driving test next week call insurance co to have them fax necessary paperwork to DMV for dd to get her license order bday cakes for dd's bday this weekend (ice cream cake for Friday night, peanut butter cake for Saturday night) afternoon chores (vacuuming, bathrooms, sweeping, dusting) laundry (2 loads) drop dd15 off at dance class (3:45pm) drop daycare child off at her mom's school (4:20pm) pick up dinner for kids (sandwiches?) pick up dd15 from dance (5pm) ds' soccer practice haircut appt for me (7pm)....ugh! I have to take all the kids with me since we won't have time to go home and dh is working bedtime for kids homework for dd15 fold/put away laundry work on lesson plans relax and finally go to bed