Apr 26 2007
A Day in the Life of Brillig
Many of you have asked just what life is like with four children ages five and under. I thought I’d tell you about today–a typical day in the life of a mother of many small ones. Well, the first half of the day, anyway. And what makes any story better? Pictures, of course.
This morning I got up early because I needed to go to Walmart. It takes me so freaking long to get anywhere because everyone has to bathed and changed and fed. When I went to wake up Lil’s Dude, I found that sometime during the night he’s broken the cheap ol’ crib we’re using here at my in-laws, squeezed his way out of the broken side, and rolled around a bit on the floor. Naturally, after removing the plastic bag that had been right next to his face and getting the USED BANDAID out of his MOUTH, I took a picture. (His older brother, Scooby, whose leg you see off to the side, shares the room with him and has “decorated” it with some interesting foam things…)
Sigh. Well, I got everyone fed and then put them all in the bath. Fluffy is perhaps getting a bit too old to have to share the bath with her little brothers, but she sure does help me a lot when she’s in there with them!
So finally we make it out the door. Seriously, this is a huge production. Four kids, four carseats with tricky buckles, etc. And we get to Walmart. Getting everyone loaded into the cart is almost as amazing a feat as getting them into the car is. And I’m never sure where to put the groceries, because I have absolutely no space whatsoever. (Bubba and Fluffy are required to hold on to the cart at all times, but they don’t have to sit in it. Good thing, cuz I don’t think they make a cart big enough)
After our walmart trip, we came home and I threw a pizza in the oven. A couple minutes later, I could smell it burning, so I ran back to the oven to see how it could possibly be burning. Ahhh. Bubba thought that if he turned the oven up to 500, his pizza would be done sooner. Yum.
So after making a pile of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I went into the bathroom and found this:
Yes, that’s my toothbrush. Yes, that’s the toilet.
And so now I’m trying very hard not to contemplate whether or not my toothbrush has been in the toilet before–and I just hadn’t ever known about it. I’d really, really rather not know.
And that brings you up until noon, at which point I put the camera away, but the craziness never ends. Many days are worse than this. I’m pretty sure that none are better. It is always, ALWAYS madness around here.
***By the way, stay tuned for Flashback Friday tomorrow! I won’t be around until quite a bit later than normal. But I’ll try to make it worth your time to check back throughout the day. 
Yikes- I thought ONE was a handful… I can’t even imagine!!
I’m seriously crying right now I’m laughing so hard. And your kids are so freakin’ beautiful. It’s probably a good thing though, right?!
Can you get a locking case for your toothbrush?
Gorgeous family, btw.
That is too funny. You are one busy lady.
Those children are beautiful. Makes it worthwhile, Huh?
Hey your toothbrush looks like mine. I have no kids to throw it in the toilet.
What amazes me is that you got all that done by noon. Kudos!
Crazy days but a whole lot of fun right? Well except for going to Walmart with 4 of them, I hate it when I only have two!
You deserve a medal!
Oh, and I’m throwing my tooth brush away as soon as I get home.
An award indeed, do they have an “I braved Wal-Mart with Four Kids” medal? Because I won’t go if I have my two. I might take only one.
Wal-Mart is evil, but this post is still a riot.
Just one for me, please, and make it a boy.
Wow, I thought days with twin 4 year olds (well they will be in two weeks anyway) was tough.
You get props for braving the Wal-Mart trip. Especially since Wal-Mart is usually a madhouse in and of itself.
Interestingly enough I think I had the very same toothbrush question. I accidentally left it in the twins bathroom the night before and when I went to get it this morning I had to wonder. I actually picked it up to sniff it as if that would be telling.
Great photos. And I’m with you… take a photo and then take care of the mess. Makes for great blogging!
wow I wanna know where you did put the groceries. At least you aren’t like some of the parents around here. They let their oldest push the cart with the kids in it, as they go shopping with an empty cart, and the kid cart is crashing into displays and people and what not. Irritating.
I would be finding me a HIGH spot for my toothbrush and a very hard to open case. lol
haha, shauna…I had to come back and comment about how fun it is to blog because it gives you an excuse to take pictures of odd things…like, em, shoes, in my case. (The Man says: “Another photo shoot for your shoes, huh?” and I say “Shove it, geek.”)
Jenny,
While four are definitely a handful, I actually think that ONE is too. Because with one, you are their sole source of entertainment and care. They don’t have a sibling to bug–just YOU.
Kateastrophe,
I’m glad you found it funny. Laughing is really the only way I get through it a lot of the time.
Nanette,
I toothbrush case! Great idea! Unless it would require another trip to Walmart…
Janet,
Thanks. Yeah, they make it worth it. They’re great.
Des,
You wouldn’t be amazed if you knew how early I’d gotten up!
Annie,
Yeah, it really is fun. And I’m not just saying that. We have a blast together.
Sugar Kane,
Yes, i think that today would be a good day to just start over with a new one if you have ANY concerns at all about where yours might have been…
Butrfly,
I think walmart should get the medal: “We Braved Brillig and her children.” Seriously. I think it’s even harder on Walmart than it is on me.
Maurey,
A boy? Hey! I have extra! I never, ever saw myself as a mother to three boys.
WorkerMommy,
I love that you sniffed your toothbrush. I give you the same advice that I gave Sugar Kane. Just get rid of it. It’s a good excuse to start fresh, anyway!
Shauna,
You must be the queen of this, as per your profile pic! hahahahaha.
Burfica,
Yeah, life is crazy enough. I don’t need them toppling over displays too. I’m actually extremely strict with them, and they’re really good kids. I can’t stand it when people just let their kids do whatever at the store–mostly because it’s not safe!
Butrfly,
Hahaha. I love your shoes pics. And I think I actually always took pics of crazy things before. But now I have somewhere to display them! (*Raises her Diet Coke to “Blogginess”*)
All I can say here is “Woah. Holy mother of pearl. Woah.” You deserve some sort of monument in your honor, or at least a lane designated to you at the WalMart.
Wouldn’t that be nice?
You are officially my mommy-hero! I don’t even attempt Walmart with my two. Thank you for reminding me that it’s high time I stored my toothbrush out of reach!
How have I not been here before? I see your eyes everywhere I go, but somehow I’ve never clicked onto your site– look what I’ve been missing! This had me seriously laughing out loud.
I’m off to read more Brillig! So glad I finally made it here.
Brillig–
You’re my American Idol. How do you do it? I don’t think I’d even want to get out of bed knowing that I’d have to get f-o-u-r kids bathed and dressed every morning.
Like another commenter said, I am crying because you have made me laugh so hard with this WONDERFUL post.
It has been many years since I had a bunch of wee ones at once and even then it was just the 3 girls (all a year apart in age). I tip my hat to you!
Oddly enough, we had a toothbrush incident here at our home today (courtesy of the 2 and a half year old).
You MUST submit to this to the humor carnival ASAP! Great job bringing some humor to what aren’t always very funny situations when they occur. (I’m thinking of the time my now 8-year-old son put a TV remote in the oven to ‘bake it.’)
wow, u’re a brave woman… I would never give 4 kids a bath at once… I’d make my husband do it!
I think u’ve impressed us all with your skills tho!