Saturday Tsunami

I am really dreading Saturday and I need your help.

It doesn't happen often, but Saturday is a day jammed-packed with so many activities that I know that Libby Doodle Doo and Little Zo Peep will have a meltdown -- and maybe Mama Hen, too.

I have found that over-scheduling is one of the worse things I can do as a mom. I've made many mistakes doing it in the past when Little Zo Peep was younger. I thought I had learned from those errors, but apparently not. Plus, I just cringe at the thought of what adding Libby Doodle Doo to this madness will do.

Typically Saturday involve attending a 1 hour Mandarin Class for Little Zo Peep in the morning from 10:45 till 11:45. Then we then spend the rest of the day relaxing and recharging.

This Saturday -- March 1st -- is NOT a typically Saturday.

We've known for months that Little Zo Peep has an important dance performance that involves her entire Chinese dance school on Saturday. It will be held at a theatre in the cultural center of our city -- which will be a big stage with theatre lights -- all very exciting. The performance is sold out so I think it is an event that will be well-attended by the local community. The Peep -- and, therefore, we -- will have to be at the theatre venue hours and hours before the performance begins.

About 3 weeks ago, the dance instructor sent an invitation that she was hosting a celebratory reception after the dance performance. I knew how long the instructor had worked with Zo Peep's class to perfect their dance. I wanted to honor and thank her for all of her hard work and dedication, so I RSVP'd that we would attend. This reception will stretch into the evening.

At the same time I received a notice from Zo Peep's school that they were hosting their annual Art's Odyssey on Saturday March 1st. This event is a day-long event and includes musical performances, dance, art exhibits from the entire school. It also includes the world debut of Z's kindergarten class performing The Little Red Hen at 11:50am.

I talked to Zo Peep about the conflict with the dance class performance later that day and how I didn't think we could do all of these things in the same day. But she really, really wanted to perform with her Kindergarten class -- so I(against my better judgement), acquiesced and committed that we would be there.

So here is our Saturday:

*Mama Hen wakes up -- obscenely early

*Kids Wake Up 6:45AM

*Breakfast 7:15AM till 8AM

*Get ready 8AM till 9AM

*Leave house at 9 AM

*Attend Mandarin Class from 9:30Am until 10:30 AM (Rescheduled to attend an earlier session)

*Find Restaurant for mid morning snack. Eat 10:30am to 11:15AM

*Arrive school at 11:30 AM

*Red Hen Performance 11:50AM to 12:15PM

*Eat lunch in car as we drive to theatre for the dance performance 12:20 to 1:15PM

*Arrive at theatre for dance rehearsal -- 1:15PM

*Zo Peep gets into wardrobe, hair & makeup (her favorite part, my least favorite) 1:30 to 2:15

*Zo Peep dress rehearses 2:15 to 3PM

*Find way to eat mid-afternoon snack (food is not permitted in the theatre) 3PM-3:30PM

*Dance Performance 4PM to 5:30PM

*Little Zo Peep & Libby Doodle Doo change into party clothes 5:30PM to 6PM

*Drive to reception 6PM to 6:15PM

*Post performance Reception 6:30PM to 8:30PM

*Drive home and collapse -- 9PM

Doesn't that just make your head hurt? I developed this schedule last night to see how I was going to survive the day. There are things I need to do during the day (e.g. pick up cupcakes for Libby Doodle Doo's birthday on Sunday) that aren't even shoehorned into this schedule yet. And what about naps for Libby Doodle Doo? When (and where) is that poor baby going to get to sleep.

And me -- I'll be weighed down like a pack mule. Forget my diaper bag -- I will probably need a small suitcase of baby supplies to get through through this day. And then I'll have to have some activity stuff to fill the dead times in Zo Peep's afternoon to keep her occupied and out of mischief. I'll probably have to pack a cooler full of snacks and drinks for both Zo Peep and the Doodle. Plus I'll need Zo Peep's dance case (with hair supplies and the dreaded stage make-up). Oh and don't forget the reception. I'll need to pack a change of clothes for each girl for the party after the performance.

I've gotten myself (and my girls) into this crazy nonsense. What advice can you -- my helpful, rationale blog community -- give me to help me and the girls survive this insanity? I've committed to attend all of these events, so I can't back out of anything now. But what tips can you share on how you've survived insanely over-scheduled days?

Sunday is Libby Doodle Doo's birthday. I don't want us to sleep through the day due to total exhaustion. Thankfully, I have no plans for Sunday except church (and a cupcake celebration -- if I find time to pick up the cupcakes on Saturday).