Anyone else falling off the wagon?

No, I am NOT talking about drinking....though my kids are about to drive me THERE, too.

What I am dealing with is the determination I always make at the beginning of the summer, EVERY YEAR, to not give up our hard-fought schedule, because I *KNOW* how hard it is to get back into that routine at the end of the summer.

We tried. REALLY tried. I am actually still retaining parts of that routine. The little ones still go to bed (most nights) by around 8:00 pm. The older ones are in bed by 9:00. Most nights.

Except that the husband is enjoying having the kids to watch movies and TV shows with him, because I just don't watch TV.

And I am TRYING to get up in the mornings, and go for my walks before it is unbearably hot....and the oldest *wants* to walk with me. Until she is spending the night with her friends. And then the second oldest *wants* to walk with me...but he is practically impossible to wake up in the morning.

And then, when I need peace and quiet during the day to work, the kids are all trying to kill each other, or fussing with each other over stupid things....

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
"WHAT IS GOING ON UP THERE?!?!?!?!?"
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAA....."
"FRANCES, please find out what is going on up there!"
(yelling, screaming, and slamming of doors ensues....)
(Frances comes down the stairs, looking innocent....)
"Frances, what was going on?
"huh?!?"
"GO BACK UPSTAIRS AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?!"

Yes, having a teenager in the house has its moments. She's GREAT, sometimes, at babysitting, and supervising house cleaning, and cooking meals. SOMETIMES is the operative word. When she wants to....or when she wants something....

Speaking of teens...my second will become a teenager in April of next year. I am more than a little frightened...he already has a WAY worse attitude than his older sister...

So, I have about given up on keeping the routine. I think we have a new routine for the summer...
Dad up and out of the house by 530 am
Mom up and walking before 7:00 am
littler people wandering out of bed by about 10:00
Breakfast, house cleaning, etc., finished by noonish
Everyone playing outside all afternoon so mom can work and not kill anyone

I think I need to go dig my wine out...I am finding I need something to help me get through this afternoon!!

Wrapping up the week

This week has been quiet.

I think I could get used to this having my kids home. They're keeping the laundry caught up, and the dishes washed, and the house picked up. It's an amazing thing!

Yesterday two of the girls were invited to a birthday party/pool party here in our neighborhood. That's one really nice thing here is that there are a ton of kids for them to play with.

We've also had sick kids this week....just a fever and tiredness...2 days on the couch, taking Motrin, and they're up and away again.

Last night was the last games for one of my husband's softball teams. Tonight is the last one for the other team. I have a friend who is moving tonight and tomorrow, so I am going to help move some things tonight, and then come home and pick up the kids to go watch the last games.

This weekend is drill weekend, so Jason will be gone all day tomorrow, too, for work. Our oldest has a doctor's appointment on Saturday morning, too, so it looks like I won't be going to Ladies' Brew Group on Saturday morning.

The next couple of weeks are going to be a little busy, with plans for July 4th and then Women of Faith in DC. Anyone else going to be there? I can't wait!! Last time I got to go to Women of Faith was in Billings, MT, two years ago. It was extremely refreshing. I need refreshing right now!

Well, work is calling...better get back at it! What are your plans for the weekend?

My weekend has begun

Last night was pizza and movie night in our house. I went to the commissary and picked up two take-n-bake pizzas, and we watched Chitti-Chitti Bang-Bang. It was fun...the first movie night we've had since we moved...but half of the kids were on the floor, and by the time the movie was over it was LATE...but no one wanted to get up and head upstairs to bed. Remember, our floor is basically a cement slab with floor tiles on it. It is COLD. They WERE on the rug in the living room, but it is still cold. We had a bit of a fuss before getting them all up to bed. I HATE when that kind of thing messes up what was a fun evening! This morning we all had a bit of a late start...which was really nice for me...I got to sleep in until sometime around 9:30!! Since then, we've done laundry, swept and "Swiffer-ed" the whole downstairs, run the dishwasher, and the oldest vacuumed her and my rooms. Now, #2 is at his cousin's house for a few hours, the 2 youngest are taking naps, and the rest of the tribe is outside playing. I am enjoying a little peace and quiet. Tomorrow will be another quiet day...church in the morning, and naps and play in the afternoon. Then, back to school and all our regularly scheduled activities on Monday.