It's almost 3pm.....

This is when things get rolling again in the household. The baby, now 14 months old and no longer breastfeeding (yippie!) is stirring from her very short nap. My children seem to be the ones you hear and read about that simply don't sleep. And yes, I have let them "cry it out" enough to know that if a baby doesn't want to sleep, she's not gonna sleep. Anyway...the first grader is going to be home within the hour and then the crazy starts. The backpack will have to be searched, the folder signed, the homework sorted, the snack consumed, the karate uniform donned and out the door we go. I used to dread this, but now I look at it as an opportunity to leave the little one behind with dad (so what if he's worked hard all day at his blue-collar job and just wants to unwind and watch Judge Judy on DVR, tough!).

Then when we get back...poof! Five O'Clock. Mom time. Dad must keep the kids out of the way while I put all of my food network knowledge to use, have a glass of chardonnay, and call a friend. Does this always happen? No. Do I often end up scrubbing someones hair instead? Yup. My end goal is to get everyone around the table, every night (yes, every night) to eat a home-cooked meal. Sometimes, well, lots of times I make what is affectionately referred to as a "bad dinner". Wait, hold on a minute! Did I go to two Universities, an artsy boarding school and earn a handful of degrees to make "bad dinners"???? Apparently so. My choice, I know, but sometimes I cannot believe the mental sacrifices we make to "stay-at-home" with our young ones. What is that term about anyway? I'm doing too much ferrying to carry that label.

My sanctuary is a clean home, bathed children, a glass of chardonnay in my hand (and usually a telephone in the other) and dinner on the stove. A "good" dinner which is healthy, sensible, delicious, gourmet AND kid friendly. HA! Right. I can try though, I can try.