A day in the life of a 'stay at home' mum

6:00am Ruben wakes up

My lovely husband brings me a drink - he knows I am in a semi comatose state having been feeding Ruben all night. Meanwhile Ruben is a happy chatty baby. Who wouldn't be with such a full tummy?

6:15am give the baby to Daniel whilst I shower. Coffee and a shower just about bring me back to the land of the living.

6:25am get dressed and check all beds made, curtains drawn, all occupants out of beds, gather dirty washing.

6:45 eat breakfast, feed other people breakfast, put washing on, wash up, get meat out to defrost, shout orders.

7:00am Daniel leaves urgh!!

7:15am shout louder orders

7:20am shout even louder orders

7:25am make sure dogs in run and get in car

7:30am drive to school. Listen to James and the giant peach, get to school in OK time.

8:05am say goodbye to kids, feed baby in the car. I haven't forgotten him. Daniel gave him breakfast and remember he was feeding all night! Remember I need to return to school at 10:30am to watch Caleb's puppet play, sigh! So instead of going shopping as planned, race home. Metaphorically of course as you rarely race anywhere in Nairobi. Went the usual way home, saw the queue of traffic, so turned round and went an alternative route. Finally made it home just before 9am.

9am, let the dogs out, swept, finished washing up, gave Ruben a second breakfast, filled the filter, hung the washing out, emptied the bins, ordered the vegetables and fruit online from the farm.

10:15am get back in the car and drove to school.

10:30am sit and watch almost all of 3S's puppet plays - yawn whilst trying to keep Ruben from shouting too loudly. He is very entertained.

12:15pm back in the car, abandon shopping again, sigh, race home. Give Ruben lunch, cook dog food, cook people food, eat some toast, realise we have no water.

2:00pm back in the car, final attempt to shop. Buy new school hats and groceries, throw in back of car, hope milk doesn't go off.

2:57pm arrive at school, but can't go in main school car park as not 3:00pm. Some new security measure?? Drive round second car park until 3:02pm. Finally let in first car park. Pay for Joshua's drum lessons, pick up children from each class room. Am informed by Caleb that his shoes have fallen apart - they have. Mentally run through alternatives of how will manage without school shoes; there are none. Realise we will have to shoe shop on the way home, oh joy. Feed baby in the car, again.

4:00pm drive to shoe shop, where they say they have nothing in Caleb's size. They rummage around and eventually find one pair in his size - thank you Lord. All bundle back in car and drive home.

4:45pm drop everything by the door and start cooking pasta for Ruben. Remember we have no water. Rush outside to switch on reserve tank. Sort out snacks for everyone, feed Ruben , cook spaghetti for big people and chop up veggies, prepare food and hot water for guard. Help Bethany with science homework, check Caleb's literacy he had done in the car. It is surprisingly good, and correct. Go to bathe Ruben and remember water situation, the tank has still not filled up. Argh!!!

5:30pm eat dinner, Daniel has arrived home early.

6:00pm bathe Ruben as the tank has now filled up, take him outside in the buggy and get the washing in.

6:30pm put my PJs on and feed Ruben. Put Ruben in bed and try and spend some time with the others and help with the clear up.

7:30pm, Caleb in bed.

8:15pm Bethany in bed

8:30pm Joshua in bed.

8:31pm me in bed, ready to start all over again.