What are you #reading?

If you happen to see this book at the bookstore, grab it. It's a really fun book. I won't be a party pooper and tell you what happens at the end. 

We loved The Magic Faraway Tree that we went back in time and got the first book in the series. If you are interested in this, get the boxed series. I think there are 3 or 4 books in the series. We also started reading Heidi. This version is a shortened version that is perfect for kids below 12 years old. I'm going to get the other classics in this Collection. It's actually a really good way to refresh and remember the classics (and catch up on the ones you've missed).

I found this at the BookSale store in Shoppesville for 100pesos. I got it because it's from the creators of The Gruffalo series, and we loved that series. The book is such a pleasant surprise --- it's a combination of catchy rhymes, wonderfully drawn pictures and the value of kindness. 

And on the Kindle...

What are you reading? Do share it here!

Forgive the mess...

Seriously, moms, how do you juggle all the wonderful things you need/want to do with the finite set of time in your hands? I am constantly challenged by it. I have wonderful intentions... But reality is, something has got to give. Yesterday, with two hours to go before dinner (and I am blessed not to have to cook dinner every night)... I was again reminded of how little time there was in a weekend. I wanted to paint with the kids, write a blog post (yeah, to add to my --- insert sarcasm here --- 60 or so posts), and do a little organizing.

I ended up painting with the kids first...

... and then started 1 paragraph of a post.

 

I still had this to contend with (and believe me, i have lots more that are in worse condition).

I am reminded of something a colleague at work told me recently. She was lamenting to her mom about keeping a household, and having to rely on (ironically) unreliable household help. Her mom asked her, "(When you were growing up) did you think I liked keeping a disorganized house? Did you think I was naturally disorganized that way? It was simply because I wanted to focus on you (4) children before, and made sure you were taken cared of well, above anything else."

That sure strikes a familiar chord. In our busy lives, we all juggle many things (not only moms, but regular people too). Most often than not, we are juggling one extra ball too much, over what we are truly capable of. It is during these times when the most important balls prevail... Our children, our husbands, our family and friends.

So, please forgive the mess. I let the ball drop.

My daily grind

borrowed from my friend's fb page

Here's my typical weekday schedule as a Corporate Housewife Mom

Midnight: Chat with DH, tweet, read bb (work mail) while pumping (milk), midnight snack.

12:30am: Sleep.

3am: Baby S wakes up to feed 15mins on one side

3:15am: Pump on the other side, read tweets

5am: On good days, still snoring. Otherwise, toddler roused from sleep, wanting to be carried.

6:30am: Baby S wakes up to feed - transfers to big bed (for the last precious hour of sleep)

7:15am: Alarm. Check bb for the day's schedule. Get ready for work.

7:45am: Pump for S's first bottle feed of the day. Make sure enough milk for the day for S. Pack pump and other materials to bring to work.

8:00am: Toddler wakes up, wants to cuddle. Quiet time with the toddler.

8:30am: Running out the door, giving toddler and baby to yayas. Last minute instructions. Goodbye to DH. Kisses all around.

9am: Get into work.

Fun and games.

12:30pm: Pump. Lunch. Read.

More fun and games.

Between 3 and 4pm: 2nd pump of the day.

And more... it just keeps getting better.

Between 6 and 7pm: 3rd pump of the day.

Wrap up the day.

Between 7 and 7:30pm: Running out of the office, late again for dinner.

8pm: Home. Dinner. DH. Get ready for the night shift.

9pm: Family bonding time.

10pm: Some music, some milk, S's bedtime. 

10:30pm: A couple of books, several songs, a prayer, sometimes an argument, toddler K's bedtime. Between 10:30pm and 11:30pm: light sleep with K.

Before midnight: Catching up with DH...

.... and then it's midnight again. What is your schedule like?