Yesterday would’ve been a full bottle day if only I drank wine.

The day started with one of my children losing their mind – to a degree I’ve not yet had the privilege to witness. So much so that the majority of my morning was spent trying to usher a return of sanity I know that child can and usually does possess. You know, where they know you love them and want the best for them and that being hateful and defiant won’t ever get you to do what they want.

Next I got to visit our newly vacated rental and wonder what exactly our truly nice tenants were thinking exactly as they moved out. It appears they considered their security deposit advance payment on my taking care of their unfinished business (like cleaning up after their cat and their child who enjoyed drawing on walls). Interesting.

After that, I got to attend a preschool sponsored Mother’s Day lunch which was very sweet and endearing.

Soon after, two children came home from school and yet another child choose that particular day to have their own extensive meltdown.

Later, we had our first opportunity for a school night t-ball game, which was nicely scheduled at a decent time, but still caused late bedtimes and the request for second dinners. T-ball games are always both adorable and boring at the same time. They’re adorboring.

The night was finished with a glance through the cell phone of the only child in the house who has one so far which resulted in said cell phone being confiscated indefinitely.

I called it quits and went to sleep early, only to be woken up at midnight by a child with bad dreams. I let him into my bed for a bit and was lovingly coughed on. I laid awake for the next three hours unable to fall back asleep, developing my own cough and getting myself stressed out about what next year might look like.

Parenting is hard, people. Everyday is a roller coaster of highs and lows, and some days you reach heights and depths you didn’t even know your particular roller coaster could access.

And so today’s Five for Friday is sponsored by an overwhelming day and sleepless night.

What I’m reading: The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal. I haven’t cracked it open yet but I’m intrigued by the title. I’m hoping that doing putting some time into learning about this will help put me back on the This is a Good Week! train track. How to be Here by Rob Bell was disappointing. It was light and fluffy and finished in about three hours. I like his podcasts, but several of his books I’ve read have left me unsatisfied.

What I’m watching: Youtube clips. James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke is always fun. Also, this feels like a movie day. I’ve got The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel waiting for me, as well as Cake. Neither of those are exactly kid movies so I may have to go with The Croods instead. Maybe movie day will turn into nap day.

What I’m listening to: This American Life podcast, specifically the episode about Middle School. It’s fascinating. Especially the part about how what we learn between the ages of 10-12 sticks with us in a way nothing else does. Like if you’re my husband, who was a huge Mario Bros fan at that point, you’ll forever remember all the codes and backdoors to win the game.

What I’m thinking about: Grad school. I’ve started twice, gotten pregnant right at the beginning twice and dropped out twice. Thinking maybe next year, if the kids are all in school, will be the time to finally finish that goal.

Quote that’s on my mind: It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room. Life isn’t a support-system for art. It’s the other way around. – Stephen King, On Writing