My Cleaning Routine

• Wake up as kids are waking up.  Come downstairs & observe mess/ dirty dishes from night before because husband was not home (working) and I was alone with 4 rowdy boys trying to keep the peace.
• Get kids dressed, fed, packed for school, referee any ensuing arguments.  Send 2 on bus.
• Feed baby, change diapers, try to eat some breakfast & clear table.  Again observe mess which is now larger
• Feel overwhelmed.
• Try to get baby and 2 year old involved in something to keep their attention and start on dishes.
• One minute later give a cracker to baby who is screaming because he doesn't want to be in his exersaucer, but the floor is too filthy to let him crawl around.
• Return attention to dishes
• Help 2 year old who is digging through the refrigerator for something to drink.  Explain that 'No.  We cannot drink soda at 8:30 in the morning.'
• 10 minutes later once crying and sulking is over, & 2 year old has a drink, attempt to return to the dishes
• Baby refuses to sit in exersaucer any longer.  Reluctantly set him on the filthy floor.
• Check facebook.  Type a post about my frustration.
• Return to dishes.  No longer feel motivated and 2 year old has just spilled his drink and a yogurt that he somehow (most likely in the few minutes I was on facebook) sneaked out of the fridge all over the table.
• Wipe the table again.
• Overwhelmed
• 1 hour later and house still looks much as it did when I awoke
• Check other blogs to see if anyone else has miraculous household tips.  Become convinced after seeing pictures of everyone's beautiful homes that I am the only one with  a dirty, messy house.
• Give up until naptime
• When naptime comes...spend more time on my blog than I meant to. 
• Big boys come home and refereeing, dinner prep, homework help all ensues.
• Bedtime  & I'm pooped.

And, there you have my cleaning routine!