A routine, or routine?

OK, so I took a night off from blogging yesterday. Our children were so unbelievably naughty last night that by the time we got them to bed, I was physically and emotionally exhausted.

Today was another "routine" day. At least our latest routine which I refer to as "start up mode."

It goes like this:

1. Wake the kids up (unlike Chicago, no one is out of bed before we go in to wake them)

2. Josh makes breakfast and everyone gets ready for school - in their recycled semi-dirty uniform.

3. We all pile in to the car to drive the kids to school. Since we are always on the edge of being late, we all go (plus I like to take Avery up to his classroom). Josh drives (and makes some aggressive maneuvers even by Italian standards) and I take the kids up to the school while Josh waits to get in to the RIS parking lot (Did I mention there is one entry/exit, so there is always a back up on the street waiting for cars to come out in order to get in)

4. Then, free of children, it's time to run some errands. Yesterday, we drove out to the hypermarket (larger than Costco, seriously). Today, we checked out a gym for potential membership and then went shopping for a cellular phone provider (TIM, Wind or Vodafone)

5. At noon we pick Avery up from school (this week only) and have some lunch together

6. Try to get Avery to take a nap so we can do some more organizing/unpacking/stuff around the house

7. Pick the girls up from school at 3:45

8. Play time, or go to town, or go see an apartment (just to be sure we want to live in our villa for the year)

9. Make dinner and eat out on our divine patio

10. After dinner games.

11. Wash up and try to put the kids to bed

12. Call the States, do emails, etc.

13. Write blog

So there you have it. Does living in Rome sound different than living anywhere else in the world with three children? So far, I would have to say it does not. In fact, it seems rather "routine." HOWEVER, Josh and I are looking forward to "in the groove" mode, which comes right after "start-up" mode and just before "wind-down" mode.

During in the groove mode, the day should look something like this:

1. Kids get up when the alarm goes off

2. Kids know what to wear each day and get ready for school with minimal assistance.

3. Josh and I take turns driving the kids to school.

4. On the mornings that I drive, I go to the gym (which is around the corner) and work out! Then, I go sight-seeing!

5. Two mornings a week (when I don't drive and go to the gym), I go to my Italian class for 3 hours and then walk around town, have lunch, sit in a cafe, read...

6. One morning a week, I run errands

7. Josh and I take turns picking the kids up at 3:45pm

8. Josh and I divide and conqueur commuting to after school activities with the kids (which start next week)

9. We figure out who is going to eat dinner when, and get some help making it and cleaning it up.

10. We put the kids to bed, one at a time, without resistance.

11. Still call our loved-ones in the States

12. Still write blog

Now that sounds altogether reasonable and seems like a more balanced lifestyle than what we are encountering in our current start up phase. In fact, in preparation for life in the groove, I even drove for the first time today. The car drives nicely and I still remember how to drive a stick, but I did pull an Italian move. Running late (this is also Italian), I decided to just go the wrong way back up our one way street instead of driving around through the maze of winding streets that would eventually lead me back to the villa (IF I didn't get lost or make a wrong turn). A straight shot the wrong way seemed worthwhile. I didn't even get any looks of "you idiot, you're going the wrong way." I'm sure other drivers have done worse.

Meanwhile, I wish to report that yesterday and today at school pick-up, Charlotte was all smiles. She has made several Italian friends. Essentially, it seems like she is now friends with all the girls in her 8th grade class. I was giving it 2 to 3 weeks, and it only took 2 - 3 days. Now that's our Charlotte! Also, she will not continue trying to learn two new languages simultaneously, she will focus on Italian this year (there will be no French tutoring for now). So all is well there.

A comment on the weather - which is incredibly consistent. 93 degrees is the magic number. It has been 93 degrees in Rome at some point each and every day that we've been here. It doesn't matter if it starts off 70 degrees in the morning or 80 degrees in the morning. It always get to 93.

Tonight, I made hamburgers and french fries for dinner. It was a big hit!