Some days and other days

Some days I don't know how I'll ever make it through till 7pm (kid's bedtime). There have been far too many of those lately. Yesterday was one. There was isolation in the bedroom, time-out in the laundry, and encounters with the spatula. For the first time ever, I had to abandon my shopping trip due to a screaming toddler. After several minutes of trying to settle him it was clear we were in for a long session, so we quickly put back the few things we had gathered and raced out the shop, apologising to the checkout lady. (A couple of hours later when things had settled down somewhat, we managed a more successful shopping trip.)

It was one of those days, where there was not a moment's break from dealing with one child or another. Dinner too was eventful, involving the disciplining of all three children. We did manage a good talk with the kids about how the day had gone, and then rounded off with singing a hymn together. The kids picked the longest one we know (which is also our statement of faith, and doesn't have the easiest tune) and sang with all their heart. In Hannah's case, that is quite something to behold - loud, no tune, and random speeds, but heartfelt all the same. Never mind that it makes it very difficult for anyone to sing with her. By the time we were 2/3 of the way through, we had the hymn happening in four different keys, and Phil and I had all but given up (with tears of laughter in our eyes). Hannah was oblivious, though, so Phil had to stop her. After a few minutes we tried again, with instructions to sing with all our heart, just not quite so loud. We made it through that time, and Hannah said, rather seriously, 'that was just like grocery shopping this morning, wasn't it, Mum' (having to start again). Yes, it really was one of those days!

Other days, just when you brace yourself for the worst, roll along rather nicely. Like today.We had home-made books.We had oil-pastel artworkWe had ambidextrous drawing (we still don't know which hand he favours)......and baby gurglings.We had sandpit fun......and coffee and quilts enjoyed in the sun. Not sure why today is so different from yesterday, just making the most of the fact that it is!