A well-oiled machine

I hear, "how do you do it?" A LOT. Other parents and other people's grandparents even have been know to stop and ask us, "how do you get out of the house and get anwhere ON TIME???" There are a few answers to this question. Jeff and I call the the whole process being a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows their tasks and we are very focused on getting in the car. The real key, however, is the prep work. You have to prep to get all of us anywhere, and believe me, preping the night before saves a lot of tears and anger the morning of.

Take for instance, going to church this morning. We were meeting at the convention center for a special event, but the kids were staying at the church. So, think, 4 kids, 3 diaper bags, 2 kids with major allergies and asthma, and mom needing to have on make-up. Then we prep - 3 diaper bags, one with bendadryl and a note, 2 with snacks and sippy cups, one with formula, bottles, a pacifier and a change of clothes in case of barf. Then prep - 4 little boys outfits, 3 pairs of shoes (our children are famous for not wearing shoes till they are 2), 3 pairs of socks, one hairbrush, and one washcloth to wipe breakfast off their faces. Where is the car-seat, Jeffrey's gameboy for playing on the drive, and Blake & Brantley's woobies (blankets)?

Now, that is all the night before. If this is done, then we can be out the door in 1 and 1/2 hours on Sunday morning. That allows time for everyone to eat (including the baby), shower, dress and load in the car.

Are you tired yet?

We are much more efficient during the week. The twins, Andrew and I take Jeffrey to school dressed in our pj's. Actually, all the little boys wear their pj's - I wear yoga pants and a t-shirt - the classic mommy wardrobe.

If everyone is dressed, the out-the door time is cut dramatically. Friday, Jodi and I decided to take everyone out for lunch. We packed the diaper bag, loaded everyone and were off in around 9 minutes. Even we were impressed with ourselves.

Never underestimate the power of the prep work. It has saved many an angry morning not having to hunt for shoes, our backpack, lunchbox, etc. Searching for a shoe, book, or pair of socks before bed is never as stressful as starting to search when you need to be gone. So, that dear friends, is how we do it, day after day, week after week. Because the option of never going anywhere is so much more horrid than the prep work. So, don't be overly impressed when you see us all anywhere, we are just happy to be out!