Morning Routine

This little blog of mine has become my journal.  Yeah, I know that it is a very public journal.

Anyway, I was thinking that it would be nice to start recording some of our boring, old, everyday things that we do.  You know, since it won't be long before I look back fondly at the things that are pretty much inching me closer and closer to the crazy house now.

So, prepare yourself for picture overload and probably too much information in the post.  In fact, my feelings wouldn't be hurt at all if you just glance over the pictures and then go back to your Facebook stalking.  Yep.  I'm talking to you.

Here we go.

Yeppers.  It says 5:30.  That is what time I have to get my tired butt out of bed if I want to actually get the girls to school and have everyone somewhat together by the time we leave.

And no, putting an exclamation point after "School Day!" does not make me any more excited to wake up.

A little primping later, I come out of my bathroom to find a couple of stow-aways in my bed.  Pretty much every morning.

I let them sleep for now and then go turn on my bestest friend in the morning. 

Some mornings I listen to my Norah Jones station, some mornings it's N'Sync (yes, you read that right.  I get all the classic pop I rocked out to in high school).  This morning I was feeling optimistic, so I put on Country Pop.  Like I said, this post is gonna be filled with waaay too much information.

I then assemble all the stuff I'll be needing to prepare breakfast for the troops (no pics sorry.  I know you wanted to see the eggs, cheese, ham and no-stick spray arranged on the counter).

Now, time to awake the kiddos.  I do this simply by switching off their fans (addicts!) and turning on a lamp.

Pipes wasn't too keen on having a camera shoved in her face first thing.

Porter isn't exactly a morning glory.

The girlies make their beds, 

and brush out their hair in front of their fancy-schmancy mirror.

There's my smiling Pipes!

Next we do hair.  Now, this part of the morning rarely goes smoothly.  I may or may not have raised a couple of very opinionated daughters and I, myself, happen to be a bit opinionated.  So when we disagree on hairstyles, there are usually a few fireworks.

Fortunately, this morning all went well since they go to wear their new feathers in their hair.  Although Miss Adi did pose in her "Miss Adi-tude" stance for me so I could prove to everyone that she has one.

There's Porter Pot!

Notice his spikes?  He somehow escaped under my hair-washing radar last night.  For the second time in a row.

Time to make breakfast.

Plain old eggs and biscuits this morning. 

Oh, lookie who's awake!

Right after I took this pic, Piper said to me, "Maybe you should turn off the flash Mom.  He just woke up."

Set the table PG!

Girls, pack your lunches!

I get to make their sandwiches the night before, lucky me.

Wyatt!  No no. 

Time to eat!

Uh, oh Porter.

Oops, look at the time! 

Put your dishes in the dishwasher, kiddos.

Wyatt is then left strapped to his chair while I do the dishes (I cannot stand to let dishes set in the sink.  Gross).

About this time I'm breaking up a fight.  But today it seems pretty quiet... oh wait, here comes Porter.

Adi, if you make the Loser sign at one of your siblings again I shall duct tape your fingers together.  Understood? 

Good.  Now brush your teeth.  We;re running behind (maybe because Mom is taking pictures of everything we're doing?)!

By this time Wyatt is starting to yell for attention and trying to escape.

Time to grease Wyatt up

And get him dressed.

Hello there, handsome.

You guys all dressed and ready to go yet?  A chorus of "Yes!" comes from the hall.  Well, Porter says no, 'cause that kid won't lie.

Now, my turn to get dressed and make my bed.

SCRIPTURE TIME!  Everyone out in the front room!

Will someone get Wyatt out of the garbage?

Oops, then Wyatt notices the iPhone that I'm using to read the scriptures.  He has a small obsession with these phones and the touches that his siblings all have. 

Nope, you can't have it, kid.

Prayers!

Ah!  Look at the time.

Everyone pick up their zones!

Each of the older kids is assigned either the kitchen, family room or bathroom to keep clean for one month.  Maybe I'll go into more detail on that later.

Check your room and make sure everything is nice.

Porter just watches them since he gets to come home and work on his room.  Oh, and look, Wyatt sees another Touch that he wants,

and can't have.

Load up, kiddos!  Time to go. 

Yep, the moon is still out.

Now we turn on some tunes for the kiddos to jam to.

Dynamite is one their favorites.  Porter's putting his "hands in the air".

Goodbye ladies!  See ya in a few hours!

And then I give a HUGE sigh of relief. drive home, and then I start the rest of my day.

Don't be jealous, people.  I know I live the life of a rockstar.