I’ve been sharing day in the life posts every 6 months or so and wow, it’s incredible to see how things evolve so quickly. I try to pick the most typical day possible to share, but right now, every day is different. Though I will say, most do at least begin the same:
5:30 am: I’m at the computer typing the blog post for the day. Once I get through it and schedule the social, I get through as many emails as possible before the kids get up. This particular morning my wordpress dashboard is giving me issues (technology is not always my friend… in fact, rarely is it) so I send a ticket to my tech crew and they have it resolved within minutes- love them!
7:10 am: I’m still at the computer which means neither of the girls have woken up yet. They are allowed out of their rooms at 7:00 and usually come bounding downstairs not long afterwards, but they’ve been pretty worn out lately. I take advantage of this time to shower and get dressed myself.
7:50 am: I hear Kaitlyn’s door open and a sleepy voice saying “it’s mah-ning time- my clock is gween!” She prefers me to come get her and I’m a sucker so I go upstairs to scoop her up.
Wet hair don’t care.
8:05 am: Kaitlyn helps pour her cereal and is digging in when Hailey comes slothing down the stairs. While they both eat and start chatting about the cereal box pictures, I make breakfast for me.
8:40 am: After brushing teeth and hair and getting dressed and shoes, we’re in the car and off to preschool of time. Hailey asks me to turn off the music so she can read us a book on the way to school. She is reading it to her class the following day and wants to practice.
9:15 am: After we drop of Kaitlyn we stop to quickly clean out the car, grab some milk from Food Lion, then head back home. I hate to miss Burn Boot Camp but dance recital tickets go on sale at 10:00 am and I have to be at a computer. These seats fill up in minutes, literal minutes. It’s insane.
We settle back in at home and Hailey is running around taking pictures on her camera while I battle it out for recital tickets (third row, not too shabby!).
10:15 am: I put some hot water on to boil and open a pack of Earl Grey loose leaf tea that Adagio Teas. It smells heavenly and I suddenly wish I could some how diffuse it to have the scent fill the house. At this point I contemplate switching to loose leaf entirely, as the tea is really fresh and smooth!
10:30 am: The next hour or so is super exciting. I fold laundry, Hailey helps me put it away, we pick up all the clutter that has taken over our house lately, I dry my hair, and we rock out to some Disney Pandora along the way.
11:40 am: Hailey and I load up to pick up Kaitlyn from preschool. We scoop her up and she chats about her day (ok, mostly just what she had for snack- goldfish) on the way home. I fix lunch (mine differs from theirs, as I’m doing the best I can to keep up with eating all our CSA goodies).
Quinoa with sauteed bunching onion, chickpeas, grape tomatoes, with coconut aminos and bok choy on the side.
I eat (faster than them) and then start reading books to them. It’s the best tool I have right now to keep them seated and eating. On days when have somewhere to be, it’s my only hope.
12:40 pm: Hailey gets dressed in her tights and leotard by herself (!) and I try to get them both in the car. True to personality, Hailey hops right in and starts buckling, but Kaitlyn thinks it’s a fine time to puddle jump instead.
1:10 pm: We make it to dance on time! I pull Hailey’s hair into a quick bun while Kaitlyn runs off to play with another dance sibling. I love spending this hour chatting with my dance mom friends about the chaos of this time of year while we sneak peeks at the girls practicing for the “big stage.”
2:35 pm: We’re back home and the rain is still coming down. I tell the girls they are welcome to help me clean and do laundry (yup, more, always) or they can find something to do themselves. Go figure, they run off together.
3:40 pm: I finish all the laundry, clean up the downstairs, then take a deep breath and decide to focus my attention on the playroom. I’m super pumped that we are finally replacing the stained green carpet soon, which is motivating me to get in there and clean it out. We are phasing out the baby toys and going to set it up more appropriately for the girls’ ages, including a big table and chair set for us to homeschool at starting in the fall.
The girls come in to “help” sort books but mostly they just play as I fill up trash bags and sort donation piles.
5:10 pm: Feeling satisfied with my progress, I head to the kitchen. David is home and is on dough rolling duty while I make a salad. He plays music over his beloved bluetooth speaker and we all hang out, prepping dinner.
To give a little context to the peaceful pictures, there are tears: once, because I cut Kaitlyn off from eating olives. Twice, because Hailey and Kaitlyn choose the same chair to sit in for dinner. Three times because, shoot I have no clue.
In a completely unrelated move, David and I open wine.
5:45 pm: Dinner is served! We eat and try to continue to teach the art of conversation (so far they usually ask a single question how was your day daddy? then once he starts with it was… they are back to singing and making funny faces at each other. We end up playing the ‘Rather Game,’ a household meal time favorite.
6:35 pm: We are finishing up dinner. It’s late so we decide to skip baths. David helps corral the girls, get them in pajamas, and to brush their teeth while I clean the kitchen.
6:55 pm: We all pile up in the carpeted hallway and read two books. Hailey and David take off to her room to read a chapter or two from The Princess in Black while Kaitlyn climbs on my back and I give her a horsey ride into her room. When I stop, she gets off, pats my head and says “you a good una-corn.”
7:20 pm: After covering Kaitlyn and Mimi (her bunny) up and singing two songs (Sugar Sugar and You Are My Sunshine), I say goodnight and close the door. David walks out not long after me. We sit on the back porch and chat for about an hour.
8:30 pm: We watch the season finale of Designated Survivor (mocking the unrealistic parts along the way) then wash up for bed.
9:30 pm: Lights out!
I always wonder if these days are worth sharing, as they are as typical as they come. But I do love looking back on them and seeing how our routines change. Honestly some of my favorite days are the ones just spent at home. Despite the mundane tasks of laundry and organizing, having the girls run in and out, giggling from room to room while they freeze each other with Elsa power really makes these days pretty special in their own way. <3
Though I highly doubt it, did I leave anything out?
What is your favorite part of your day?
Of course I can’t just choose one: Mine is a tie between the quiet mornings I have to myself, breakfast time with the girls, and the couch time with David once the girls are down for the night.
JOHN J STATHAS says
Like your positive perspective and presentation, with some humor, while you go around doing the mundane things of being a Mom.
Lauren says
I love reading Day in the Life posts! Keep them up!
Maddie says
Hi! What kind of alarm clock do you use for your girls? We’re about to transition our daughter (2 years and 3 months) to a “big girl bed”, and I’m wondering if a colored alarm clock would help her sleep in past 6am (or at least stay in her room for an extra hour). Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
We use the OK to Wake clock with Kaitlyn but I wouldn’t really recommend it. It’s kind of been a pain because she’ll push the buttons and mess up the settings. One time a legit alarm even went off in the middle of the night. With Hailey we just had a cheapo digital clock and taught her what a 7 looked like. We should have done the same with K!
As for staying in their rooms, that’s just a strict household rule (for sanity). They can do whatever they want in their rooms but they know they can’t come out before then 🙂
Laura says
All of your meals look so good! It can be such a challenge to get through all of the CSA produce. I knew it would be tough for me this year with a baby so we skipped out, but I do miss it!
Best part of my day is definitely my morning cup of coffee, especially if both kids are still sleeping.
Amanda L says
I love the these posts and also love that homemade pizza!! When did your girls start playing more “together”? My boys are 13 months and almost 3 and while they love each other, I am anxiously awaiting when they will entertain each other for longer periods. Now it seems just like I’m having to occupy them separately for the most part.
Brittany Dixon says
It started early with mine but I think it’s because Hailey is a little mom and since day 1 she wanted to “take care” of Kaitlyn. I imagine 6 months from now things will start to look differently when your younger son can interact a bit more. Then the younger one stops be so agreeable and then the real fun begins- haha! Hailey was taken aback when she realized Kaitlyn was a person with her own thoughts 😉
montessoriishmom says
These are some of my favorite posts 🙂 I couldn’t agree more, now that we go out and do things most days, days at home have become some of my favorite. My favorite times of day are sitting outside in the backyard with my little guy in the mornings, going for walks, hanging out as a family after his Dad comes home, and bathtime!
Heather says
I actually really love these DITL posts. I think it’s fun to see how other people spend their days… who knows why we enjoy that so much? Haha! I think my favorite time of day depends on whether it’s a weekday or a weekend. I admit, I kind of enjoy walking into work when it’s quiet after an often frazzled morning dropping the kids off at day care/preschool and getting to savor my coffee in quiet is kind of nice. I do love when it’s time to settle down and read books, though, with the kids, and I love to “spy” on them when they’re playing together. Oh, those imaginations!! I love it!
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, I love spying on the kids too! I tiptoe back so I don’t get caught, but watching them in their “natural” environment is the best 🙂
Christine says
The favorite part of my day was in the evening, after dinner. My 2 1/2 year old son did a successful poop in the potty (oh the joy’s of potty training). He was so proud of himself – seeing that made me so happy. (he then proceeded to poop in his pants an hour later, can’t win them all!) Then we had fun building legos together. The kitchen was clean (I cannot got to bed until the kitchen is clean!) and I had not a care in the world except how we were going to build a house out of legos…perfect evening 🙂 If only they were all like that!
Brittany Dixon says
Because they can’t all be like that, it makes the ones that are so much sweeter! Hooray for a successful poop! (#thingsmomssay ;))
And I’m the same way about the kitchen- must be clean before I can relax!
Liz T says
Love the Day in the Life posts. You really have a super writing voice and it made me smile multiple times. Georgina (3) also “freezes” us on the regular!
Julie says
“In a completely unrelated move, David and I open wine.” LOL!
melissa says
LOVE these posts. do you have coffee or anything when you first wake up, or do you go straight to the computer. Impressive that there is no TV time before the evening. I usually have it on in the AM to listen to news and some of the morning shows.
Brittany Dixon says
I always have a big glass of water by my bed so I typically chug that as I get up. Sometimes I’ll make tea, but usually I stand up out of bed and walk right to my computer. Like a zombie sometimes 😉
Stephanie Prause says
“Twice, because Hailey and Kaitlyn choose the same chair to sit in for dinner” –> hahahaha I mean….kids just crack me up 🙂
Love these kind of posts, BTW!
Katie says
You do an amazing job of having a routine with your girls! My days seem like three between our morning/evening routine and my workday but I love pickup the best!
Molly says
OMG….we are struggling with my 3 year old!!! She doesn’t nap anymore, but I enforce quiet time with the okay to wake clock…Although she is having such a hard time with it! She is always up at 540 EVERY MORNING! I have to set the clock to 615 🙁 Teach me your ways!! When I tell her that she is not allowed to come out until the green light comes on…she just yells the whole time until it turns on. 🙁 Am I doing something wrong? Am I missing something?
PS- You’re doing a great job!! I’m hoping to have more of a routine one day…I feel so scattered!
Brittany Dixon says
You are DEFINITELY not doing anything wrong. 3 year olds are just a special breed of challenging 😉
Every kid is different but what works with Kaitlyn is consistency (she’s never allowed out before 7) and a ton of books in her bed. And toys. It basically looks like a disaster, but it keeps her entertained until the clock turns green. However, I will say she usually sleeps until close to 7, so that helps. If she woke up usually at 5:45/6, I imagine it would be more difficult to have her stay put for an hour or so.
Kaitlyn has poked her head out a time or two before 7 and I just tell her it’s not 7 yet and close the door back up. She would whine at first but now she just shuts it and goes back to her business. When she comes out she always announces (MOMMYYY MY CLOCK IS GWEEN!) so proudly, and I always make a big deal out of it too. (Oh, that;s great kiddo!! Look how well you did waiting until it is green! Let me come scoop you up, etc etc).
Good luck!! Three years old is so cute but can crazy challenging!
Jen says
The reasons Kaitlyn was crying cracked me up–my daughter, same age, cried when I gave her a fork instead of a spoon. Three year olds 😉
My favorite part of the day is probably in the morning before she wakes up along with those first morning snuggles (ahem, we’re still nursing first thing…), which just can’t be beat.
Erica says
Thank you thank you thank you for the kiddie camera link! I hadn’t even thought of that and it is going to make a great Father’s Day gift for my camera loving husband. Although also for our son (obviously) my hubby is going to love it! Great post! I’m a bit bogged down at the moment by my infant and it’s great to read about kids ages 3 and 5 🙂