Yesterday one of my beloved sister-in-laws returned a phone call announcing she was meant to be at afternoon tea... The same afternoon tea I was meant to be at... That 5 day weekend did me no good in the 'perception of what day it was'. I was sure it was monday not wednesday...
Anyway...
We were half an hour late and me with 4 kids and myself to get ready...
I clap my hands together and announce "ALRIGHT! GET SOME CLOTHES ON WE ARE GOING OUT! GO! GO! GO!" and hunt as fast as possible for some semi-suitable clothes for myself. I generally don't feel comfortable going out wearing my home-only, can't-get-the-zipper-shut type of pants. You might catch me in them hanging up the washing whilst praying they won't fall down any further or making a mad dash to get the garbage bin out as the truck comes pelting down our street. I am sure they see alot of strange things in their job.
Anyway...
Another clap and some "HURRY UP! GET JARAH'S CLOTHES". I usually dress bubba first thing in the morning and she's generally all good for the rest of the day. Otherwise I'll chuck a change of clothes in my bag. Actually I still have a change in their. Now that is called 'being prepared'.
I always have my bag packed and ready to go so I usually have to find my keys. And so long as *I* was the last driver of my car I know where they are. As long as a certain toddler hasn't decided to get into my wallet and re-arrange its contents. I haven't yet been caught out without the bank card. Oh so thankful!
My kids usually take their shoes off in the car so that's where they are when we go out. Otherwise they might possibly be in the shoes box outside our front door. At least they are not scattered around the backyard again but that was taken care of when our pup ran away Praise God! Usually the shoes will be put on when we arrive at our destination as they will have to be put on again if I did so before we left. Always a frightening experience as I realise that one kids shoes are in the shoebox and I stupidly forgot to check that child had shoes. Prompts the other kids to take their shoes off. Grrr...
Sometimes I'll grab a lacky and quickly put my daughters mop-top up. Yesterday I didn't. But I did notice she has the beginings of really good dreadlocks. Another few days without brushing that and I reckon they're done. I can hardly imagine how I'm going to manage two heads to do in a years time??
As long as there is no giant mud puddle behind our car at the gate I can announce "GET IN THE CAR! COME ON! COME ON! COME ON!" in marching order fashion. As long as we walk quickly past the dog water bucket we could possibly get three kids into the car without getting muddy and/or wet. Such joy when this happens!
The kids climb up into the tank and while this part still needs perfecting we sure get out enough during the week that it should hopefully be perfected sooner rather than later. I just wish that the time it takes to get that obedience kicked into gear and those kids climbing in as if they were at the park climbing equipment but unfortunately small rocks and piles of sand always seems to tempt them away from the task at hand.
I have heard so often of these two year olds who strap there own seat belt on and I have to admit. I feel the pangs of jealousy as my 3yr old announces "I CAN'T DO IT!" I am sure she could if she tried but usually I am in a rush so I don't have the time to wait for forever for her to decide she's going to give it a shot. Atleast she can put her arms in when she's trying to do the right thing. Either that or I've yelled so much my voice has just about lept out and done it itself.
I have thought about bringing the car seats inside for a few days. Lining them up against the wall and getting them to practice and no I'm not joking.
Fortunately that as I get bubba into her carseat and strap her in they are all inside the car making attempts at getting into the right car seat and the beginings of strapping Jarah in the boot-seat has being done.
Usually I can go back inside grab my bag, the keys, lock the door and scan the room incase I have forgotten to bring something. Sometimes I might kick a path from the front door to the lounge room door if the toys are still spread out but usually it's okay. At least hubby can make his way through the house if he dodges stuff.
By the time I return the car, start the car, open the gate, drive out of the gate, get out of the car, shut the gate I might have just one more buckle to buckle before we are on our way.
Boy... was that hard work... and that was just writing it... You tired now? Thought as much... Cos now I am about to proceed... I am meant to be somewhere in 15 minutes and I'm not even dressed yet!!!
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