The Day before Day 1

I guess we could call this a prequel.  Anyway, I wanted you to have a calmer, easier start to your Day 1, so it's all about preparing.  Also, if you are like me, you are not starting anything until tomorrow, so let's get ready to do that.  Do the following routine right after dinner, and you will have plenty of time to relax and get a good nights sleep.

1. Straighten up the kitchen after dinner.  Load the dishwasher and run a cycle.  Hand wash any dishes you couldn't fit into the dishwasher.  
2. Wipe down the stove.  Don't worry about getting the drip pans and cleaning the oven.  Just a quick wipe down with a wet cloth will do.
3. If you still pick out your kids clothes, go ahead and pick out tomorrows outfit and hang it on the door knob, or hang it in the bathroom - wherever is easily accessible but out of the way.   
4. Now, go pick out your clothes for tomorrow.
5. After homework is done, have everyone pack their book bags and either put it by the door, or at the foot of their beds.
6. If you pack your kids lunches, do it now - at least as much as you can.
7. If you drink coffee, get the coffee pot set up so that all you have to do is turn it on when you wake up.
8. Think about what you can make for breakfast tomorrow.  Think simple: scrambled eggs, toast, fruit, even cereal and milk.  It doesn't have to be elaborate, just what you can manage in the morning.
9. Think about what you are making for dinner tomorrow.  Do you need to defrost something?  Take it out of the freezer.  Do you need something from the grocery store?  Make a list and put it in your purse.
10. Locate your keys, cell phone, whatever else you need to walk out of the door tomorrow and sit it by the door.
11. Get the kid(s) in bed at a reasonable hour.
12. Get yourself to bed at a reasonable hour.

There, I know that may seem like a lot but it really won't take that much time and you will gain an exponential amount of time and aggravation in the morning!