once

“Heeeeeyyyyyyy, Mom!”

That’s how it usually starts.

The morning.

Once one kid is up so is the other.

Once the kids are up the dogs are dancing around us to go outside and be fed.

Once the dogs get fed the cat starts meowing for his breakfast.

Once the dogs and cats are fed the kids start asking for hot chocolate.

Once I start the hot chocolate Ben barks at the back door to be let in.

Once I let Ben in Reece is in the kitchen asking when his hot chocolate will be ready.

Once I tell Reece that I am working on it Lorelai yells from the playroom asking if she can watch a show.

Once I turn a show on Reece is asking, again, when his hot chocolate will be ready.

Once I get them their hot chocolate and finally pour my coffee they are yelling for more.

Once I get a few sips of coffee I ask them what they would like for breakfast.

Once I get them their breakfast they are asking for more, or a fork, or a napkin, or something else.

Once I get them what they need I sit down to check my e-mail, read a blog post.

Once I start I realize I don’t have time and need to make Reece’s lunch, get myself dressed, get the kids dressed, and get to school.

And, so it goes.

home is…the life of a mom.