Sometimes I feel like the hamster, running in its wheel all day, going nowhere. So today I decided to keep track of the things I actually accomplish which tend to go unnoticed because, well, they are done.
- Sorted, washed, dried, folded/hung, put away four loads of laundry
- Fed two very young children three meals and three snacks.
- Cleaned up after the meals and snacks.
- Cleaned up the children after the meals and snacks.
- Let the dog out, and in, and out, and in, and out, and in.
- Fed and watered the dog and cat.
- Changed kitty litter.
- Took each child's full Diaper Genie sleeve to the trash.
- Brought paperboard and cardboard to the recycling center (we do not have curbside recycling service) with the two children in tow.
- Mailed a package for a friend at the post office (the children still in tow).
- Shopped for string-free shades at Home Depot (yes, with the children - they "drove" the giant orange cart with steering wheels).
- Put away clean dishes from the dishwasher (while preventing two children from climbing in and on the dishwasher door).
- Attempted to make myself somewhat attractive and presentable for my husband (note I said attempted; I don't want to know how well I succeeded).
- Cleaned kitchen counters (the floors will have to wait...)
- Sorted the mail.
- Prepared dinner (with a day like this, leftovers were in order).
- And of course: Entertained two very young children alone from 7 am - 5:30 pm. Took the children to the park this afternoon.
- Cleaned up from entertaining the children.
- Dressed and diapered two very young children. Many times each.
...and all of this (except for the third meal) was before my husband got home at 5:30. This evening, he commented that he was totally exhausted and drained from spending two hours with the little ones (I'd like to point out here that I was still there - he had help! And he wasn't trying to get anything else done!). He said he could never, ever do what I do. That was nice to hear. But at the moment I am very, very tired. Now if only I could figure out why I can't fall asleep...
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Dear Sugarcookie. I just discovered your blog through Melissa Stanton's Blog Roll. Congratulations on your beautiful daughters and your delightful essays.
ReplyDeleteI fell asleep sitting up on the floor tonight as I read stories to my children. Apparently I did it again during prayers. My list today was very similar to yours. And as I drove back and forth to the school for third time and lugged my two boys (3 and 8mths) in and out of the car, whilst picking up and dropping off their older sisters (7 and 5), squeezed in Walmart and Costco with the four of them afterwards and wondered yet again why business trips for hardworking husbands are planned for the first week of school, I thought, "if I could just sleep, it would be OK". So here I am. At midnight. Can't sleep. But they are worth it.
It sounds like you were very busy! I know how hard it is when you're alone, too. My husband is a firefighter and often can't be home with us. Gosh - an 8 month old, 3 year old, 5 year old, and 7 year old! My hat is off to you! Hopefully the first week of school has gone well.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found me! Melissa's blog is great and I read each new entry.
Hopefully you're able to get some sleep! (I think it is funny how Blogger time-stamps my blog entries based upon when I start them - not when I finish. So it looks like I posted it at 1 in the afternoon. But that was when I started!) Anyway - I should be sleeping myself but it is so nice to get to do grown-up things.