In My Mom Era

Tuesdays.

Are for dance! Irish dance, that is.

Declan and Tristan have been going to dance class on Tuesday nights for as long as I can remember.

But today was a ringer.

You know those days where absolutely NOTHING seems to go right?

I’ve been really good lately about working on In My Mom Era throughout the day, so I’m not exhausted and trying to throw something together at 11:30 at night. LOL.

Well, it’s not 11:30 yet, but my eyes WANT TO STAY CLOSED.

And I still haven’t written a dang thing!

I’ve got several interviews planned with some amazing people! I’ve been doing the interviews via email so everyone has the opportunity to go more in-depth with their answers without feeling rushed.

And honestly? I’m really excited about them!

In fact, that was my plan for today!

I was going to sit down, revisit one of the interviews I’ve already completed, put together a lovely little feature, and share it with all of you tonight.

That was the PLAN.

A perfectly reasonable plan, if you ask me.

Well. 🤦‍♀️😅

Apparently, Tuesday had other ideas.

As far as days go, I thought I was doing alright.

But then, next thing I know, it’s 2 PM, and I have to get ready to pick up the boys.

On Tuesdays, that means making sure I have their O’FAOLÁIN shirts and black shorts. (I keep their dance shoes in the car, THANK GOD, because that’s one less thing for me to remember. 😅)

But here’s the thing.

We live in Farmington.

Dance class at OFA is in St. Louis.

Which means we’re not just running down the street for an hour-long activity.

OH NO.

We’re packing for what feels like a small expedition.

Diapers. Wipes. Cups. Toys. Stuffies. Snacks. The ACTUAL children.

You know. Minor details. 🤣

And then we have to stop for food because dance is from 5:30 to 6:30, and sustenance is a MUST.

Depending on how we’re doing time-wise, we usually stop at a fast-food place on the way to dance.

And sometimes AGAIN on the way home because SOME PEOPLE (AHEM, DEC & T) are apparently starving after all that dancing. LOL.

Tonight, though, we stopped to visit my mom for her chili mac.

And listen.

I cannot turn down my mom’s chili mac.

I just can’t.

So we ate, visited, and finally headed home.

Which got us back at…

8:35 PM.

An hour and a HALF past the littles’ bedtime.

UGH.

They were DONE.

And a HALF hour past Dec and T’s bedtime, considering it’s a school night.

But wait! THERE’S MORE.

T had homework.

Dec STILL had homework.

And before you ask why I don’t just have them do it in the car…

Have you ever tried to WRITE in a vehicle traveling 70 MPH down the highway?

It’s HARD.

And the end result usually looks like a chicken walked across the paper with a pen taped to its foot.

So there we were.

Trying to get the littles settled. Getting homework finished. Reading with Dec. Making sure everyone had what they needed for tomorrow.

And FINALLY…

At 9:52 PM…

Everyone was in bed.

My whole evening. GONE.

Here’s the thing.

I RELISH my evenings from 8 to 10.

That’s MY time.

My chance to sit down. Read a book. Work on my blog. Maybe watch something that doesn’t involve cartoon dogs or animated vehicles.

My chance to just… exist without someone needing something from me.

And tonight?

That time disappeared somewhere between Irish dance, chili mac, homework, and bedtime.

So instead of relaxing and letting the stress of the day go, here I am.

Up late.

Writing this post.

About mom life.

Bedtimes. Kids. Hustling from one thing to another. The never-ending list of things that need to be done.

And the absolute hilarity of trying to build something for myself while simultaneously making sure seven people make it through the day.

Because that’s motherhood, isn’t it?

Sometimes you’re on top of everything.

And sometimes you’re writing a blog post with one eye open, wondering whether you remembered to put the dance shorts in the laundry.

So that’s it for today, folks.

My brain is quitting.

And frankly?

I think it’s earned the night off.

Love,

Kelly — In My Mom Era ❤️