I hate routine. I like things to flow, just happen, potter along. The thought of *having* to do things at a certain time fills me with horror. What if I'm late? I hate being late.

Every school day is full of routine and it drives me nuts. With Martin working away so much there are certain things I *have* to do every day. It looks like this:

• 8:50 - Morgan at school
• 12:50 - Ruaridh at nursery
• 14:50 - Pick up Morgan
• 15:00 - Pick up Ruraridh

Now that doesn't seem so complicated except there are other factors that wind themselves into those simple four times. We have to leave the house at 8.30 to get Morgan to his line, except on rainy days when there are no lines and you go straight in. So by 8:30 I have to us all fed and changed. Not too much? Well 3 out of the 4 have to be dressed by me and the 4th is not always willing to do his share and quite often is still in his pyjamas playing with Playmobil at 8:29. Add onto that the complications of Orla wanting feeds at random times (but thankfully no breakfast) and Ruaridh having tantrums about random things and you're starting to get the picture. Lunch has to be made for Morgan, school bag, shoes and hats found. And so it goes on. By the time we get to the school gate I am often exhausted and looking crappy.

Then it all goes into downtime - just me, Ruaridh and Orla. If they are dressed (sometime I end up driving and leaving them in their pyjamas) then we will go off and do something together - local soft play cafe, visit to the library, supermarket shopping or maybe home to play on the computer or to tidy up. Suddenly it's lunch-time and there's the mad dash to get Ruaridh to nursery and we are usually the last there.

Then you think it would be all calm - with just me and Orla for a couple of hours? Well you'd think. But at the moment I am 'on call' for Ruaridh. He is still in nappies and if he poos I have to go and change him - don't get me started on that issue - that's a whole blog on its own! If I do have to go in then I basically lose the 2 hour slot - so not fun at all.

Then before I know it it's picking up time - in fact - it is now - so will continue this later...

Back again... After school we sometimes have video/DVD time or Morgan goes and plays with the next door neighbour. Then it's tea-time - always a joyous time in our day. Then on with the bedtime routine. Three kids in the bath (if we're doing baths) and into pyjamas. Supper with a DVD then bed. I'll save the bedtime saga for another blog - but it ain't easy.

I'll let you into a secret... I love school holidays - no need to get up early, can stay PJs all day and no need to go to bed early. Maybe I need to be home schooling these kids of mine - at night!