Day In The Life: Thursday, January 23rd 2019
“A plan is what, a schedule is when. It takes both a plan and a schedule to get things done. ”
It has been a while since my last post, and I needed a blog to ease my way back into the swing of things. What better way than to write a Day In The Life - coincidentally my favourite type of blog post. This day occurred during Daniel’s first travel-week back at work. There was no easing our way back into routine - solo parenting hit me like a ton of bricks as I was dropped back into things with little preparation.
6:30am - I awake to the gentle vibration of my phone’s alarm beckoning me to a reality I am not quite ready for. Instinctually, my hand reaches from under the covers, locates the phone, and without hesitation presses the snooze button; I am already halfway back to sleep, never really having awoken fully in the first place.
6:39am - Once again, my first alarm sounds and this time I am more aware of reality calling to me. The house isn’t alive yet. There are no giggles or footsteps, no tears or fighting, no reason for me to be awake. I hit the snooze button again, but this time I don’t fall fully back asleep. My mind wanders, going through my checklist for the day as I mentally prepare myself for all that I have to do.
6:45am - My second alarm sounds and this time the unwanted disruption cannot be ignored. I shut off both alarms and stretch my arms above my head, willing my body to wake up and for the fog of last night’s sleep to rise with me.
6:50am - Everything at this hour of the day, in the dead of winter, is so much more severe. As I turn on the lights in the bathroom, I am temporarily blinded; my eyes adjusting to the harsh brightness. I turn the water on and the rushing of the tap sounds like a waterfall in the stillness of our house. The chill of our tile floor shoots through me, making me reflexively pull my foot back. I slowly step back down to allow my body to adjust. I fix my hair, brush my teeth, and apply some makeup.
7:00am - Maelle wakes. I hear her hop out of bed and turn off her white noise machine from where I stand in the bathroom. I hear the distinct sound of her running to her bathroom to get ready for the day - she gets herself dressed in the clothes I laid out for her earlier in the week.
7:05am - I hear Maelle run down the hall, her footprints growing louder as she nears our bedroom. She slides open our barnyard bathroom door and greets me with a smile and a “good morning.” Her body continuously radiates energy and happiness with the carefree exuberance that only a 5-year-old who has not yet experienced the full weight that life, can possess. Smiling, I tell her to head downstairs to watch a show until I get there.
7:15am - I make my way to the kitchen feeling like I am entering a boxing ring, preparing for a big showdown. Except, instead of throwing punches, I’ll be throwing around breakfast food and mom threats like it ain’t no thang.
7:20am - This is the time that Linden typically wakes up. Or, should I say, it is the time that Linden’s Gro-clock lights up, indicating that he is allowed to get out of bed. Today, Linden has slept in and I thank all of the Gods at work for this minor blessing, making it easier for me to get things done and our day rolling.
Between 7:20-7:40am:
Make Maelle a warm milk and let her watch a show
Make Maelle’s breakfast and get her to the table to eat
Make Linden’s breakfast to go - toast with Nutella and a fruit cup to go
Get Maelle and Linden’s school snacks prepared and packed - I cut up fruit and pack granola bars
Let Lulu out and feed her breakfast
Prepare a backpack to take with me on Maelle’s field trip - transfer what I need from my purse into the backpack
Warm milk for Linden and put it by the back door, ready to get him straight into the car
Get my coat and boots by the backdoor so I can make a quick escape
Do Maelle’s hair
7:40am - Maelle finishes eating her oatmeal in record time, knowing that it’s her class field trip today. I tell her to go to the washroom, get her snow gear on, and her backpack packed and ready. I am thankful that Maelle is largely independent and I can rely on her (for the most part) to follow my instructions. Sometimes I forget that she is only 5 and how hard it must be for her to navigate my high expectations with her need to grow and test limits. I pause and make a mental note to keep this in mind going forward.
7:40am - I head upstairs to wake Linden up - I open his door gently and turn off his white noise machines. He sits on his bed in the glow of his Gro-clock and greets me with a cheerful “Hi, mommy!” Again, the Gods are smiling since he has woken on his own and I don’t have to be the one to rouse him. His happy mood and the promise of seeing his best friends this morning makes getting ready a breeze. We go to the washroom and I assist him with dressing quickly.
7:50am - We rush downstairs, throw coats and boots on, pile our stuff into the vehicle, and get everyone situated in the car - Maelle ready for school, Linden with milk in hand, and we are on our way.
8:05am - We pull up to my friend's house, who by now is more like family. Her boys go to the same preschool as Linden and she has happily agreed to take him today so that I can volunteer on Maelle’s field trip. Linden has no hesitation spending any amount of time with them and would prefer every day to be like this if he had the option. He says goodbye as I remind him to listen to his teachers before he makes a b-line for their toys. I hand my friend his backpack and breakfast and thank her profusely for doing this. There isn’t much else to say, she knows what to do and, because she is so familiar with my kids, the trust is there.
8:10am - We drive to Maelle’s school and on the way, I look at the Tim Hortons drive-through line and decide that it is unfortunately too long to stop. No coffee for me this morning and I am already feeling the effects of caffeine withdrawal through my system.
8:20am - We arrive at Maelle’s school and I watch as she confidently enters, following the routines that have become ingrained in all students by this time of year. She greets her friends excitedly and heads into class without looking back. I am simultaneously struck with feelings of pride at her independence and longing for a time when she once needed me more.
8:25am - We get situated in the class and the other parent volunteers are given information regarding the field trip; the expectations of the kids and all of the safety instructions in case of an emergency.
8:40am - The parents leave in carpools as we head to Fish Creek Park to meet the kids who arrive by school bus. I drive with another parent and we talk about life without being interrupted by the tiny voices belonging to the little terrors we had a hand in creating. How refreshing!
9:00am - By now, we are situated in the learning centre and are given instructions by the leader on what we are going to do and what kind of wildlife we can expect to see. The kids have a snack and head to the bathroom as needed.
9:30am - We head out into the park, following the lead of our instructor. The kids play games that mimic the animals in the area, learn about adaptations, migration, and hibernation while exploring Alberta’s unique wildlife.
10:15am - We split into smaller groups and walk the trails, looking for signs of wildlife (tracks, scat, and sounds). It is so much fun to see the joy kids exude as they discover the world around them. They live in the moment, enjoying what is right in front of them, not burdened by what’s to come, what lies ahead, or to-do lists.
11:15am - Maelle and I leave a little early from the field trip to rush back to Linden’s school in time for pickup. I hold Maelle’s hand as we walk to the car, chatting about the field trip, savouring this rare moment alone with my firstborn.
11:30am - We arrive at Linden’s school, get him, and head back into the car.
11:35am - We get home and get organized. The kids put away their backpacks, snow gear, and take out their snack bags and water bottles.
11:45am - The kids play together, happily engaged in some imaginary, fantastical scenario. I start to chop fruit and vegetables and put a pot of water on to boil. I am preparing for a playdate and our guests are expected to arrive very shortly.
12:00pm - Our friends arrive - 5 extra kids in total - and the fun begins. We start with lunch since they are exhausted from school and the field trip. We keep it simple: Kraft Dinner with fruits and vegetables on the side.
12:30pm - By now, the kids are off playing. The moms have coffee and we congregate together on the couches to relax and chat. I always enjoy play dates as my kids really thrive in social situations. They enjoy being with other children and will always choose to be amongst others instead of alone (I wonder where they get this from?). Not only that, but playdates afford me an opportunity to have time with other adults. To feel human. Since my husband is always traveling, it can be very isolating throughout the week without real adult conversation. I always try to make sure that I don’t let myself fall victim to loneliness by having playdates, going on outings, and having friends over once the kids are asleep.
12:30-3:00pm - The kids play together, breaking occasionally to grab some fruit and vegetables, or request something from us. They explore the toys, dress up, go on our bouncy slide, and everything in between. They leave happy but exhausted!
3:00-3:25pm - The kids relax and watch a show. I let them zone out and enjoy the easy entertainment while I finish tidying up, doing the dishes, and vacuuming the main floor.
3:25pm - I send Maelle upstairs to get ready for gymnastics while I pack snacks and water bottles for them. I get Linden ready, taking him to the bathroom, and finalizing things we need to leave the house.
3:35pm - Maelle comes downstairs ready for gymnastics. When she walks in, her strong body hardened over the years from all of her activities brings forth a sense of longing in me. Longing for a time when she was soft and round, a time where her only means of movement were slight and reflexive, a time where I held her and enabled her to move from room to room. Time is most certainly a thief. The moment doesn’t last long as I need to be fully in the present. We load into the car (again) and are on our way.
3:55pm - We arrive at Maelle’s gymnastics. Linden has fallen asleep, as per usual, so I rush her inside where she quickly gets dressed and heads to the gym.
4:00pm - I realize that I have yet to eat a proper meal. I have picked at apples and carrot sticks during the playdate but now I can’t help but feel hungry. I drive to Tim Hortons where I grab a coffee and a wrap. I eat while a drive, taking very little time to actually enjoy the food.
4:15pm - We pull into the Wal-Mart parking lot, partially to kill some time and partially to buy a birthday present needed for the next weekend.
5:00pm - We head back to Maelle’s gymnastics practice to watch the last little bit.
5:15pm - We arrive at the gym and I find a spot in the front row, immediately looking for Maelle. She is with her coach and teammates practicing handstands on the beams. She loves gymnastics, which is easily evident through her enthusiasm during practices. She jumps around, calls to her coach to watch, and gives hugs and high fives every chance she can. While I watch Maelle, I also read a book to Linden and then let him play games on the iPad.
6:00pm - Class ends - we rush to get out of the gym and back home. Gymnastics nights are always challenging. The kids usually eat by 6:00pm so I have to be well prepared to get them into bed on time. Often, that means madly rushing dinner.
6:10pm - Dano calls the kids to say goodnight while we are driving home. Typically, he will call during dinner to get some quality “FaceTime” with the kids, but today is a travel day and he is about to board his flight, so we settle for a quick call.
6:25pm - We arrive back home and it’s go-time. Maelle gets into her PJs while I start cooking dinner. We keep it simple with breakfast for dinner. Pancakes and eggs!
6:45pm - The kids eat dinner.
7:00pm - I let the kids watch a little bit of TV while I clean up. I put away our stuff from gymnastics and do the dishes.
7:15pm - We head up to bed and start our nighttime routine. I read them a book and then we go to the bathroom, brush teeth, and give final goodnight kisses. Their white noise machines are turned on and their lights are turned off.
7:30pm - The kids are in bed and if not already asleep, they are quiet and drifting off into dreamland.
7:45pm - I head downstairs to start a load of laundry.
8:00pm - I put on my work out gear and do a quick 20-minute cardio workout followed by free weights. I am still battling a cough so working out is even harder than it would be on a normal day.
8:45pm - I take a shower and get ready for bed.
9:00pm - I eat dinner and watch shows. I am binge-watching Cheer on Netflix and am as invested in the outcome as if I were coaching the team to success.
9:45pm - Dano arrives home. We catch up on the week’s activities and enjoy the comfortable familiarity of each other’s presence before he pulls out his laptop to finish up some last-minute work.
12:00am - We head upstairs, get ready for bed, and fall asleep. As we drift off we prepare ourselves for another day, open to the understanding that tomorrow will be just as busy but happy because we wouldn’t trade this life for the world.
