(More than) Fourinarow.net

Since it was a Mass morning at school today, we had to be a little more on the ball… which we weren’t.  No one wanted to get out of bed (thank you, Daylight Savings) except for the baby.  From room to room I went, cajoling, threatening, yelling.  Finally, the three oldest started moving.  Then they were racing… which led to fighting.  Ugh.

With baby on my hip, I stood at the toaster putting in bagels, then waffles, then french toast sticks, then more waffles, then another waffle.  I managed to get Sam up and out of my bed (I know, I know) and to the table.  At which he threw a colossal fit because – get this – I gave him TWO waffles instead of ONE.  Never mind that another child wanted the extra.  Sam was NOT GOING TO EAT ANYTHING NOW BECAUSE “I ONLY WANTED ONE!!!”  He did, however, end up eating his waffle after a LITTLE PEP TALK.

While the four oldest finished eating, I sat on the couch to feed the baby.  Minutes later, all four were up and running through the house.  Hearing the dog going at the plates left behind, I corralled Luke and asked him to clear the dishes.  One of which was a cup not empty of juice.  After hearing what I knew was a cup of juice hitting the floor, I called Luke to me and said, “Do NOT tell me there was juice in the cup you dropped!”

“Okay,” he said.  “I won’t tell you.”

I LOVE mopping the floor at 7:30 in the morning, just mere minutes before we need to leave for school!

As I mopped, Maria played with the baby and Luke and Jack barricaded themselves inside Luke’s room to torment Sam.  Who banged incessantly on the door and yelled to be let in.

As I shoved my children out of the van at the school curb, Jack asked me if I liked it when they were all at school and I had some time to myself.  “Sure,” I responded nonchalantly, trying not to let the hysterical laughter bubbling inside me escape.

With the oldest gone, Andrew and I made our way over to the church for mass.  This was the mass during which the second-graders would dedicate themselves to preparing for First Communion.  After spending the first part of mass entertaining those around us, Andrew pooped.  I’m sure those around us were less than thrilled, but I knew I couldn’t leave just yet, as the dedication part was coming up.  Maria would DIE if I missed it.  Of course, those around me were probably dying…

As soon as I could, I hauled Andrew to the bathroom.   Thankfully, I had a diaper with me (unbelievably I don’t always).  Unfortunately, there was no changing table.  Well, no problem!  I just performed a mid-air diaper change last week.  This would simply give me more practice.  Too bad for the person outside the door – it’s not a speedy process.

We made it through the rest of mass, waved to Jack and Maria and made our exit.  The baby is napping, the dishes are done, the washer and dryer are doing their jobs and I have about 40 minutes before Monsters 3 & 4 need to be picked up from school.

How’s your morning been?