What Did You Do Today?

The menfolk come home from work and ask us "What did you do today?". We keep pretty busy even if the list of our daily accomplishments might not seem that impressive to others.

We start the day by getting three young ones dressed and fed. At three years old and almost five, they can dress themselves, but only if they want to. It's definitely more work to keep Jake on task dressing himself, than it is for us to dress him. Unfortunately, in the interests of fostering greater future independence (for him and us!), we encourage him to do it himself. Some days it takes him a half hour and multiple reminders.

After the tribe is dressed, it's time to feed them. Sometimes it's a quick process--three bowls of cornflakes, one without milk (for B boy). Other days it's a lengthy process--a pretzel with cheese for Bentley, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Jake, and some of what everyone else (including great-grandma) is eating for Viva. Once a week we'll make them pancakes or waffles.

Once the kidlets are fed it's open season on the toys and games and books. Lately they've been playing a lot of hide and seek. They can all count quite well to 20. They do a good job of playing the game without any adult help. Of course, they also like us to play with them, so sometimes we do.

Mornings are fun, if a little noisy at times. Since it's winter and lately very cold outside, we don't get much outdoor time. We let them race around inside. And jump on their mini-trampoline. And fight with the swords.

Sometimes we read books to the kids--great-grandma gets recruited for this job, too. She also plays games with them. Our most recent photo shows Kara reading to the munchkins. The cat likes storybooks, too!

The art supplies come out daily. Jake and Bentley love to draw. Viva does a little drawing, but not as much as the boys. All three like to paint. They are always eager to do a new craft project.

Some days we do puzzles. The children play on the iPads. They watch a little TV--approved educational programs only for short periods of time. They help put away their laundry and clean up toys and shelve books and make cookies.

Once or twice a week the children have a play date with other children. It's nice for them to have their friends over, but they aren't always appreciative of the honor. Go figure!

About once a week we all venture out of the house for a shopping trip. It's hard to accomplish a lot when you have three preschoolers to get in and out of car seats and to keep track of in the store. If we don't try to do too much, everything goes well.

Did I mention time outs? No day is complete without a few time outs. Currently all three are about equal in earning time outs. Bentley gets sent for teasing or hitting Jake. Jake gets sent for being out of control (beating on his mother). Viva gets sent for being rebellious (not doing what's she asked).

And they take naps! How could I have forgotten us caregivers' favorite time of day?! Although we love being with the children, they can be exhausting and a mid-day break is welcome. It's a time for the children to recharge and for us to recharge, too.

Occasionally we go on a field trip, but we haven't done many this winter. Colds, Christmas, and great-grandma's surgeries have kept us close to home. That will change as the weather warms and cabin fever sets in. Or maybe we don't go out much because we have so much at home? We have a cornucopia of toys, games, puzzles, books, art supplies, iPads--and caregivers!

We keep busy.

It's important work.

You could not purchase the quality of service we give or the rewards we receive.