Choke points....

So how to families of more than one get through choke points....  

My kids are awesome.  

ONE AT A TIME.  

Put them together and its CHAOS.   

So what's a choke point?  when we are ALL trying to get some where or accomplish something at the SAME time.  I should just avoid them - as most days its not worth trying...  

So here is an every day scenario....  lets go outside and play.  Seems easy enough.  

Everyone put on your shoes and jacket - once that is done, I will help you open the garage door and get your toys out.

Nick - I cannot put on my jacket (because last time he took OFF his jacket he opted to pull the sleeves thought making it IMPOSSIBLE to put back on without re-threading the sleeves.  We have this discussion EVERY TIME)

Shane - you would think by the law of averages 50% of the time he would get his shoes on the right feet - WRONG.  Not even close to figuring out the jacket zipper.  Tries every time though - gotta give him credit...

Drew - well we are just lucking is he can find his shoes - in frustration he just irritates his brothers.

So today - a favorite choke point of mind is the after school unwind.  On beautiful days we have the wonderful pleasure of playing with LOTS of kids - right off the bus.  Its wonderful.  So we do that for 1-3 hours.  Literally.  Today - it was windy - so 1 hour.  

We come inside and now its time for homework.  I come in, help said brain children take off and put away shoes and clothes (yes, hooks and baskets designated for little kid ease...)  

I put drew outside to play in 8' walled back yard  while I head upstairs to set nick up on reflex math and Shane on a puzzle book.  less than 5 minutes later I come back downstairs to this........

EVERY pile of poop (only 5 because I cleaned it up the other day THANKFULLY) was stepped on REPEATEDLY, by the 2 feet tall brainless wonder...  He was also knocking at the door to come in - Hmmm - no, you can stay out there...