April Netzhammer is the mother of 7-year-old Ryan and 5-year-old Riley. Her husband, Ed, is a regional vice president for a hotel group. They currently live in Southlake.
6AM Wake up for a cup of coffee, go through my calendar to see what I’ve got scheduled for the day, then listen to the weather forecast to figure out what clothes to choose for the kids.
7AM Get Ryan and Riley up for school and hope that I don’t have to assist them with step-by-step instructions.
7:20AM Begin going just a little bit nuts since the kids are whining and rolling all over the floor … and still aren’t even dressed.
7:30AM Finish getting the children dressed, teeth brushed, meds taken—my son has been diagnosed with ADHD/dyslexia/dysgraphia—hair brushed and hope that they can find something nutritious yet quick to consume for breakfast.
7:35AM My kids have now decided that they wish to take their lunch instead of using their lunch card. So it’s back to the kitchen to whip up some ham and cheese sandwiches and attempting to get their shoes and socks on. With luck I’ll still be able to get them to school before they have to get a late note.
7:45AM Drive the kids to school—going within the speed limit, determined not to check my voicemails while behind the wheel—and then drop them off. I carefully make my way out of the maze that is the school loading area.
8AM Rush back home to let the dogs out, feed them, load the laundry, pick up around the house, wash dishes from the night before, check more emails, get dressed—at least find something in my closet that’s somewhat presentable and hope that I get the matching set of shoes on!
8:30AM Get the dogs back into their crates … get a spontaneous dose of cardio after chasing one around the yard for an additional 10 minutes. Rush over to Starbucks in search of an energy-boosting beverage—what I hope will be a potent enough drink to keep me going all day.
9:10AM Running late to the PTO meeting because the line at the Starbucks was inexplicably long. Plus, the lady in front of me wouldn’t drive over 20 mph on a one lane street.
9:15AM Arrive at the PTO meeting. Make my round of “hellos” and “I’m sorrys” for being tardy yet again.
10AM Meeting over, run to check on the kiddos to make sure they are not tormenting their teachers too much; then stuff folders, do copying or deliver something somewhere for their teachers.
11AM Nosh on a breakfast bar while driving to pick up medicine from the pharmacy; shop for food from the grocery; run something over to the post office to be mailed. Not wanting to stand in line at the post office, I use the automated system—forcing me to send the item Priority. Not that it was necessary, but I’ll pay what it takes to get out of there and be on my way.
12PM Return home. Let the dogs out, remove clothes from the wash and place in the dryer. Check emails again. Do more picking up around the house, then try to finish a couple more loads of laundry.
2:15PM Wow, already time to get the kids ready for Kids Beach Club (after school Christian lesson)! It’s amazing how 45 minutes can sometimes seem like five.
3PM Kids make it to the start of class and have a snack. Meanwhile, I tolerate all the craziness and tell myself that “It’s all for the kids.”
4:15PM Head home to begin preparing dinner and try to finish more laundry.
5PM Take dinner out of the oven. Eat a few bites then start to get ready to go to soccer practice, while at the same time, hanging up all the laundry and getting as much put away as possible.
6PM Drive everyone out to soccer practice, while making sure Riley has all the snacks and activities for her hour (though feels more like two) of waiting.
7PM Head home after the game is over and make sure the kids take their showers. Then I give them a little snack, let them have a small amount of playtime, then take medications and head off to bed.
8:15PM Actually get them up to the bed, tucked in and with one recording of Phineas & Ferb to fall asleep to.
8:30PM Check emails and Facebook, finish a little craft project, but mostly work my way toward my own bed to plop down after a pretty much nonstop, hectic day.
8:45PM Have child no. 2 jump into bed with me after playing in my closet. Ahhh … finished!
8:50PM Finally got everyone down but now I can’t go to sleep. Grrr.
10PM I fall asleep at last!
