A Day in May 2010

I've wanted to write about a day of ours for awhile just to have one that although probably not typical because we do things a little different every day gives a general idea.  There is no reason I chose today, just because I thought about it and I wanted to write something.
Edison is 12; Alaska is 9; DannyBoy is 4; and Button is 21 months


I woke up about 6:50am to Button making noises.  I went in an changed him and brought him downstairs to find Edison and Alaska already downstairs and just sitting quietly on the couch and chair.


I turned on the tv and they watched Martha Speaks and Curious George while I got their breakfast, my coffee, and Stan's lunch prepared.


At 8am DannyBoy came downstairs and I got him his toast, the only thing he'll eat in the morning these days.
Alaska, Edison, and I got dressed while Button ran around trying to get into everything he shouldn't.
I put away clothes in the drawer.

Edison and DB play on the keyboard at different times.

DB wants to play his video games, but I tell him he has to wait until this afternoon, this is not well received.

I made attempt number one at reading the next chapter in Savvy by Ingrid Law to the kids, but was interrupted by the two younger ones trying to destroy the lamp in the study.  I get the littles set up with Curious George 2 the movie, DB just plays the games in the Bonus Feature which doesn't really hold Button's interest too well.

I made attempt number two at trying to read the next chapter, but was interrupted by the cat throwing up.  This has to be cleaned up right away or Button will play in the mess if he finds it.  I gave up on reading a loud for the moment and gave the kids their reading to do: Edison is reading Wizard of Oz and Alaska is reading Third Grade Detectives #1.

I cleaned up throw up and stopped Button from pulling out the throw-up-ladden towels from out of the trashcan.  Went into the kitchen to discover a two inch long centipede -- killed centipede (yuck!).

Boys are finished reading books.  They narrated what they read.

Alaska is helping DB fly his remote-controlled helicopter.  The batteries in his remote control need to be replaced.  Button keeps grabbing the helicopter causing a lot of yelling.
Edison finds his remote control helicopter.  Some of them need to be recharged. And there is a lot of discussion to figure out why some of the remotes aren't working either.

I'm having a difficult in finding a good break for them and their helicopters and I still have school work I'd like them to do, but they are learning a lot about how to keep helicopters in the air and how to manage their younger, curious brothers.

I walk in the family room to discover that Button at some point has entertained himself by pulling out lots of wipes.

10:15 am Attempt number three at the read a loud was waylaid by DB helicopter remote not working and the older two very preoccupied about this occurrence.  Button was however happily watching the CG2.  DB is now saying he's hungry and I tell him to go get himself something to eat (I wonder if this is a good idea).  Finally, we get two chapters of the book read.  I tell the boys to do their math.

I walk into family room to discover that DB did get himself something to eat, he is sitting at the coffee table with the jar of honey, a spoon, and a straw inside the honey.  I discover a good use for all the wipes that Button had pulled out earlier considering DB and the table are very sticky.

Alaska finishes math and works on his spelling.  I get myself some lunch early (I rarely eat breakfast, but by 10:30-11am I am usually starving and eat my lunch early).

DB spys the chapsticks on the counter and plays with them (he calls them lipstick because they are different colors) he covers his mouth in chapstick.  I'm ok with this.

I remember the caterpillars on the counter-top have to be put in the butterfly hatchery.  Discover they are all in their chrysalises and need to transport them now.  Edison's math is interrupted by this discovery.  I luck out and find a hook in the basement very easily to hang the hatchery up on the ceiling where the cat and toddlers can't reach them (I hope).

There is much excitement and observation because the chrysalises are wiggling and we think they may hatch soon.  In between old brothers tell DB he looks like a clown.  DB does not like this.

CG2 has finished so Button is now on the loose again.  Edison is really not into his math and I have a feeling the butterflies may be the main thing today.  Tell him to work for twenty more solid minutes and then he can continue tomorrow, but he is watching the chrysalises.  This may not work today.

Younger ones are watching Dragon Tales while I type this in.  It is 11:44am.

Alaska finishes his handwriting and I review his spelling words with him.

I remember DB is still in nightclothes, he begged me earlier to let him wear them longer, but it is time to change him.  While upstairs getting cloths discover Button standing on back of couch to play with windows. Take him down from couch.

Change DB and remind him his father will take him to daycamp this summer if he does a good job using the potty.  He agrees enthusiastically.

Button takes me to where the helicopter is recharging and begs me to play with it.    I tell him not now, but Alaska plays with his for him until Edison tells him the noise is distracting him from his work.

The chrysalises have stopped shaking and we discuss why this may have happened.

Alaska asked to go play his video games.  I say yes, until lunch time.

Edison talks to me about Noah while I make lunch - he makes suggestions on how we can keep Noah from throwing up all the time, says we should have a family meeting about this soon.

Edison was almost all done his math work when he stopped it for lunch.

Lunch: Peanutbutter and honey sandwiches for older two and Dinosaur chicken for the younger two.  Cat tries to steal chicken from the younger two.  Button screams (squeals) at the cat until he chases him away.  He's really very effective.

After lunch Edison comes up with another way to improve his spelling skills.  He then works on his copywork/dictation.

I get vanilla waffers for DB.

 Edison and DB watch Alaska play his video game.  Stan calls and says he is canceling cubscouts tonight, but will still take Edison to robotics club.  And our deck furniture should be delivered today.

1pm  I changed Button and put him down for his nap.  Edison and DB played video game together to give me time to write.  This didn't work out too smoothly as they decided to play in family room and got too loud.

I wrote for an hour and a half.  DB interrupted a lot of times to tell me he was bored although I knew he had lots of things he could be doing so I didn't feel too bad.

Alaska and DB fought some. 

The deck furniture came.

3:30pm Button is making wake up noises. I get him up.

At  4pm I remember I was going to make the chicken tonight, but I'm now out of time (rats) so I go for the frozen lasagna and garlic bread option.

Stan gets home and begins putting together our patio furniture, DB helps him and is very happy to do big kid work.  Button is running around the family room and kitchen.

The older kids are soon recruited to help build patio furniture.

We hurriedly eat dinner because Edison has robotics club and the deck furniture still isn't finished being built.
I take Edison to club and Stan finishes building and joins him after it is built.

We are a half hour late getting the littles up for bedtime and my patience is at least an hour late as they are very wound up and not listening at this point.  I quickly get through the evening routine with them then go downstairs and write until Stan and Edison return from the club meeting.

9:30pm Stan and I retired early, I was for some reason very tired.

It was a very typical day, but not every day goes the same. 
So that was our day, I hope you had a good one too!