School has finally started, and yes I couldn’t be happier. The kiddos are at school and I do get some time to myself. Not to sit and do nothing mind you, but more to get on with the things that need to be done whilst nobody is around. Boring and mundane stuff like cleaning the floors, doing the laundry and yes, the inevitable grocery shopping. All of which would take less time than normal since nobody is around! The second day of school (yesterday) was pretty good to start with, I thought I would have plenty of time to do the things I’ve mentioned above despite the fact that I would only have 3 hours and 50 minutes of “free time”. As I was sending my 5 year old to his class, my phone started chiming, it was a reminder about a client I had arranged to meet with at 10am – oops, totally forgot about that. Darn, the house was a total mess and there goes the idea of doing my grocery shopping without the kids! Master 5 finishes school at 12.50pm so I guess I would have to drag him along. I managed to quickly clean the living room and vacuum the floors before the meeting – yes we agreed to meet at my place. The laundry was in the machine, so that was good (phew, thank goodness for modern appliances!!) The meeting went on for 1 1/2 hours…sigh..there goes my day! And by the time it finished I had to hang the laundry and then pick Master 5 up. Doing the grocery with Master 5 isn’t that bad. He’s a trooper, except for when he talks endlessly while I’m trying to think and shop.What’s my first world problem? The fact that:

• Master 5 now keeps on wanting me to play the different boardgames with me – while I’m cooking! (this has NEVER happened before)

• Miss 9 wants to sign up for the different positions on her school student council and needs my help with writing up her proposal.

• Miss 9 came up with an idea, which was surprisingly approved by her Principal, to have a fundraiser selling things she, Miss 7 and their friends have made in order to raise money to save the turtles (yes, that’s her new project), and needed me to think of ideas on what else they could make to ensure that boys would buy their “products”. So far they’ve only got friendship bands and hair thingies that you can attach to your hair (braids?) for the girls and bookmarks made from recycled paper and cardboard for the boys.

• My “dearest” husband who thinks I do nothing all day, had booked for his tyres to be replaced tomorrow morning and guess who has to take the darn car in?

All these while I still have to cook AND clean AND do the rest of the laundry, while trying to juggle my own work that I have.  Ok, so it’s not that much, when you sit and think about it. But, when everyone comes at you the moment you take a sit to have your dinner with all these requests, it did seem a bit overwhelming. It’s like you’re expected to do everything for them all or else you end up feeling guilty for not helping them. Argh…it’s frustrating and the week isn’t even over yet! Sigh…and my husband thought it would be all coffees and catch ups for me! Today will be the first day that Miss 9, 7 and their friends set up their stall.  I have told Miss 9 not to be upset if nobody buys anything. Fingers crossed it goes well for her.

So how’s the back to school thing coming along for everyone else so far? Share your stories with me. And, if you’ve got any ideas on what the girls can make to sell at their stall for their other target market – the boys – please leave it in my comment section.