Knowing that the best way to get anything done around here is to do it with Meadow and Granite on my team, I sat them both down last week and pointed out that we really need to figure out a schedule that will help us do what we need to do each day. We talked about how life has been a little crazy since Canyon was born, how mama has been very tired and distracted, how the house has been pretty messy and the laundry stacked to the ceiling in the laundry room (I am barely exaggerating) and how a schedule could help get us back on track and make our needed tasks more manageable. So with a pen and paper in hand, I posed the question, “What should go on our schedule each day?” and then listened as they each gave me their suggestions, before adding my own ideas to the list. What ensued is a classic example of the contrast between my two oldest children, and so indicative of their personalities. There is never a dull moment in this house.
Now I just need to work on converting these lists into an actual schedule. In the meantime, I feel compelled to share…
As stated at our dining room table:
Meadow’s List:
school
straighten house
pump (Obviously, this one will be on mama’s schedule, not hers. But I love that she thought to list it!)
take care of Baby Canyon
spend time with our family
eat dinner/eat healthy
baths
exercise to make our bodies healthy
wash hands
compost
get dressed
Granite’s List:
pumpkin
king (He may not have completely understood the assignment…)
look at the stars until they are all gone
games
after drinks (???)
healthy
twinkle think…just like in Abby’s flying fairy school.
Me: Huh?
MG: It’s from Elmo.
Me: Oh.
G: I don’t like twinkle think.
MG: I do.
G: I don’t. Are we done?
Me: Can you think of anything else?
G: Done. Now let’s play the thankful game.
And added later (after playing the thankful game):
Mama’s List:
feed Canyon/change diaper/playtime/nap
make/serve/eat/clean up from breakfast, lunch, dinner
shower, get dressed and ready for the day
morning chores (unload dishwasher, start laundry, make beds)
activities with G while MG does school (games, books, learning activities)
afternoon chores (fold and put away laundry, clean kitchen, straighten house)
take walk
nap/rest/quiet time
playtime/outside time
bedtime routine (baths, pjs, brush teeth, read books, pray, sing songs)
blog/write
run/workout
read Bible
time with hubby (after munchkins are in bed)
I think between Meadow and I (and Granite??) we remembered everything that needs to be on our daily list. There will also be days of grocery shopping, errand running, doctor and dentist appointments, play dates, and random projects, but if we can make a flexible schedule for the above to stick to on “normal” days, I’m convinced that order will return and chaos will no longer reign.
Now if I could just get a good night’s sleep, the fog might clear and doing all of this might actually sound possible! 
I plan to add “look at the stars until they are all gone” to my daily list. Sounds peaceful!
Lol. Love it!