Sometimes it’s fun to step behind the curtain and see what life is really like in Oz — err — Putman mayhem. It also helps everyone to see just how insanely normal the life of this writing mom is. 

7 a.m. Wake up thanks to the 2 y.o., but played possum as much as possible until 8. Not easy with changing a diaper and two kids bouncing off my head.

8 a.m. Bound out of bed and run through the ritual of waking other kids, getting me ready, getting them ready, getting us all some form of breakfast because at…

9:10 a.m. it’s out the door for daughter’s follow-up dental appointment. Corral three kiddos while she’s ushered to the back.

9:30 a.m. we hurry back to the house. It’s time for school … well fifteen minutes of it by the time everyone’s back in the house and 5 y.o. is ready for gymnastics. Checked email and approved blog comments, too. then it’s time for…

10:20 pick up neighbor girl, chat with her mom about gymnastics placement for our younger girls who are moving up NEXT week. Yipes! Need to sign them up. Then on to the gym. Older two kids work on math and English, while 5 y.o. tumbles on equipment and 2 y.o. tumbles on me.

12:15 p.m. back home and time to make lunch. 5 y.o. is now invited to other neighbor’s house. Send her over at 1:15 after lunch (a very delish grilled cheese and then some cherries) is consumed.

1:30 get 2 y.o. down for his nap — a must since he has gym in evening — then back to school with the older two. Yes, I am that mom who never entirely quits school…

2:30 p.m. 9 y.o. is invited to friend’s house for an hour before friend and his younger brother come back our way. I say we have to finish school first, so ten minutes later J heads across the street. I grade math and check email again.

3:30 my two are back home and thirty minutes later their friends arrive. An hour later the extra kiddos leave, we scarf down a spaghetti bake and broccoli, then it’s back to the gym.

5:45 p.m. Our gymnastics marathon begins. 9 y.o. at 5:45, 2 y.o. at 6:15, 12 y.o. at 7. Fortunately, she gets a ride home from friends — Woot for friends! — and the rest of us head to Wal-Mart at 7. Ugh.

8:20 we’re finally home and it’s time to FaceTime my husband who is on his way back from a family visit. 9:20 12 y.o.makes it home and 2 y.o. finally admits he’s tired and goes to sleep. I work on some legal matters while keeping the little two company. All of a sudden it’s 10:45 and I need a blog post for the a.m.

Tomorrow, I teach, my daughter has an orthodontist appointment, we have church small groups, swim team and gymnastics practice. Oh, and I’ll get edits on a book. Anyone still want my life 🙂

What’s your brand of chaos look like?