How Was Your Day Today?

1 day, 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds.  That’s about how it feels you know what I mean?  Ok, so maybe you don’t.

Here’s how it goes.

You wake up in the morning and think about the day ahead, about the sweet cherub children asleep in their beds, about that man you’re snuggled up next to.  You’re feeling refreshed (mostly), the day is new and full of promise.  You see an overview of the day, the activities you have planned.  Maybe you have a playdate planned or a Doctors appointment or a baking lesson with your kids.  It flows seamlessly and beautifully and you are the Conductress presiding over this symphony.  It’s 1 day!

It’s lunch time, which could be anywhere from 11am – 1pm.  This morning you got out for a walk, had a play date in the park with some other local moms, and even squeezed in 45 minutes at Echo to see the frogs.  You’re feeling pretty good about things but as you’re serving your youngsters kraft mac-n-cheese for the 4^th time this week, that clear vision you had earlier is now starting to get a little blurry around the edges.  Those cherubs are messy and now on their pre-nap downward spiral. You can do this, there are only roughly 8 hours left before bedtime.  This afternoon is.in.the.bag!

Naptime is over…way too soon.  It’s 4pm’ish, your eyes are starting to glaze and the noise level is going up a LITTLE too quickly for your liking.  The rug rats want multiple snacks, they want tv, and they want your attention….all of it…like thirsty little life suckers.  This is when I offer up a game of hide and seek; I tell the kids to hide and then rush upstairs to Daddy’s office (or call him on the phone) and sing my own version of the popular “Need You Now” by pop country favorite Lady Antebellum.

It’s a half past 4 and I am on the floor and I need you now. 

The baby is a mess, I’ve got puke on my dress and I need you now.

It’s almost 5 and I’m barely alive and I need you now. 

The kids are looking for me, I’m so tired and I gotta pee and I need you now. 

And I don’t know how I’m gonna make it now, I just need you now.

It’s my 4:55pm anthem.  I will gladly share it with you.  Sing it, belt it out, may that tune rise above the cacophony of noise that is about to devour you.  Because when you sing there is hope, there are only 200 more minutes before bedtime, you can do this.  You are a fighter!

Now it’s 7:52pm and if you weren’t absolutely exhausted you’d be excited because it’s bedtime.  But one thing stands in your way of an evening of sweet silence.  Brushing the kids teeth.  This is personally my most dreaded nighttime ritual.  I don’t know why.  Actually I do, because it involves allowing my kid to LEARN how to brush his own teeth.  And when I’m tired and all I want is 5 minutes to myself I’m a lot less enthusiastic about one more teaching moment in my day.  I want it done, and I want it done quickly (Did I mention that I can be a bit of a control freak?).  But I’ve learned this about myself and I’ve delegated the job to my husband who at this time of night is just starting to come alive while I’m trying not to come undone in the last 300 seconds before lights out.  The countdown is on, the clock is ticking.  Story, prayers, and a kiss goodnight.

Done.

Are you feeling me now ladies?

How was your day today?  Do any of you feel like you’re just counting down the hours/minutes/seconds on certain days?  Any of you out there have your own anthems to help you get through a long day?  I’d love to hear it and add it to my arsenal.