Here we are on Monday.  I have successfully completed the first full day of the rhythm I’ve developed to keep us all on track and happy.  Well, kind of successfully.  Both of the girls are asleep a whole hour before bedtime.

raremoments

They conked out during our quiet time.  I had been doing the bedtime routine since Saturday with bedtime at 9pm.  I don’t know, maybe it’s coincidence that they fell asleep today.  Maybe, I’ll need to make bedtime earlier.  I’m looking forward to the peace and “me” time I will have getting up an hour and a half earlier than the girls, so I’m trying to insure they sleep until 8am.

Here is a general outline of how our days will go.  Some days mealtimes are a little different because of John’s schedule, but the activities are the same.

  • 6:30am – Me Wake Up
  • 6:30-8am – Writing or Exercise Time
  • 8am – Wake Up Girls
  • 8-9:15am – Prepare and Eat Breakfast
  • 9:15-10:15 – Writing/Computer/Exercise Time
  • 10:15-12pm – Housecleaning (I’ve assigned a room a day and straightening up for Sat..  Laundry w/ the living room on Mon..)
  • 12pm – Ivy Nap
  • 12:30pm – 2pm – Writing and/or Deladis Time
  • 2pm-2:30pm – Lunch
  • 2:30-4:30 – Family Time (can include various activities even housework, gardenwork, outdoor play, etc… Just involves the girls and I am wholly present for them.)
  • 4:30 – 5:30 – Dinner Prep
  • 5:30-6pm – Eat Dinner
  • 6pm-6:30 – Kitchen Cleanup and Breakfast Pre-Prep
  • 6:30-7:30 – Quiet Time
  • 7:30-8pm – Bath
  • 8pm-8:30 – Storytime
  • 8:30-9pm – Bedtime Girls
  • 9pm-11pm – Writing Time or John Time 🙂

I’m happy with how today went.  I didn’t feel myself getting anxious and I was much more patient with the girls.  Having a menu to work with is saving time.  I am happy to report that I have 53 pages written on my first novel after today’s writing sessions.  I will have written this blog, given the living room a thorough cleaning, washed and put away three loads of laundry, cooked 2 meals from scratch, made popsicles with Deladis, made her a snack tray to graze on throughout the day, washed dishes, answered emails, danced with Ivy, and so on and so forth.  I’m amazed at what has went on today with no raising my voice, no feeling desparate, and the girls’ free expression of their age.  I hope it’s not an illusion and it will continue to work well most days.  I know some will be harder than others, but I hope they will all be better.