Living in Shifts

I live my life in shifts.

At least that’s how I feel.

I’m up early and get ready for shift one (which is actually blended with shift three).  Getting everyone out of the bed, dressed, diaper changed (I am ever thankful to Huggies for their overnight diapers.  Should have bought some stock in this prior to baby number one. It has saved many a morning of washing an entire crib of sheets!  Thanks Huggies!)  I get dressed in work clothes (such a foreign concept to me…oh I miss my Colorado jeans and t shirt wearing days)

Breakfast and everyone is out the door between 7:30 and 7:35. 

Shift two:  Work.  With 19 wonderfully complex kindergarten children.  I truly love seeing the personalities of each and every child shine through each day.  Each child has their own story and has a unique and wonderful way of conveying that.

In shift two I stand, bend, lean over, sit on the floor, kneel and stand some more from 8:15 to 3:15 each day.  I had forgotten how absolutely exhausting it is to always be on foot.  My throat feels like a piece of sandpaper and I take on a deep husky sound by the end of the day!  smile

Shift three begins at 3:15.  Off to pick up big kids 1 and 2 to get little kid 3.  Head home, get baths, do homework, cook dinner.

Shift four. Well, that’s when I decide to hit the gym, the running path or just collapse. 

I love all my shifts. Each shift has unique pluses and minuses.  I am amazed at the end of the day how much I actually can do, what my body and mind is able to carry and complete.  And sleep has never felt so amazing in my life (well, at least since those first 6 weeks of each baby’s life when I desperately craved just 4 straight hours of sleep!)

So I keep working my shifts. I look forward to the weekend.  Next week beings Shift 3 and 1/2 when Caroline begins her three times/week 90 soccer practices at night.