Today has been a mammoth day and even with my mum here to help me, it has just been an exhausting day. To be honest most days with three children under three (technically under two) are tiring but today has pushed me quite close to the edge of exhaustion although I must admit we got very little done and it was all actually rather nice.

Not making any sense? Have a look see.

Baby Matilda woke at 5am and I think we were both dozing in and out of sleep from then until finally at 7.00am I fed Matilda before giving her to Nana and Daddy so that I could have a wash and sort myself out for the day.

At 8.00am I joined Daddy to have breakfast with the toddlers and also with Matilda Mae as it was Nana’s turn to get washed.

At 8.30am it was time to feed Baby Tilda again who then had a sleep in her Daddy’s arms while he started his work in the office.

As Nana is here at 8.45am I was able to organise and pack our bags for the day. We have our regular change bag, our puddle play bag, a snack and toy bag and our spare clothes for EVERYONE bag. Mostly these are just checked each day with snacks replenished, nappies and wipes refilled and toys rotated.

At 9.00am I begin the task of sorting and loading washing. Often unhelpfully helped by at least one toddler!

Today at 9.15am I changed all nappies and got everyone dressed to go.

At 9.45am Nana and I loaded everyone into the car and drove to our first activity, Jumping Beans.

We get to the hall at 10.15am where we put the toddlers socks and shoes on, unload everyone from car and walk into the class where we then take off coats, socks and shoes ready for the fun to begin.

At this time I also set up a play mat for Baby Tilda, before joining in the class with Esther and William before taking an enforced break to feed Tilda. Though I have to say sitting down to feed really is not a break though perhaps to some it may look like one.

At 11.15 Esther and William’s class finishes as Matilda’s is about to begin and so I set up a toddler picnic and activities for Esther and William then join in the baby class with Tilda.

The class ends at 12.05pm whereupon Baby Tilda promptly falls asleep and so quick as is possible I pack up all our stuff back into bags, put on coats, shoes and socks and ferry us all out to the car.

By 1pm socks and shoes are going on again and I unload everyone from the car and pack Matilda into the baby carrier.

At 1.10pm in public facilities I begin to change three nappies once again involving the on and off of slothing and shoes!

By 1.30pm with Tilda tucked safely away in the carrier again I play on the play equipment with the toddler twins while Nana runs back to pay for the parking ticket we have forgotten to buy.

When Nana is back we order some lunch and afford ourselves a few minutes to scoff it down before Esther and William are off playing again. Where do toddlers get their energy from? Whilst eating my lunch I am also, of course, giving the baby hers. Where do babies get their appetite from?

By 2.00pm we are heading back to the car but have to take a detour to the changing rooms again. Two terrfiying toddler nappies later we are back on our way.

By 2.30pm we are back in the car and ready to drive to the doctors.

3.00pm sees us arrive at the doctors, put socks and shoes on and unload everyone from the car.the short way to the surgery with Esther suddenly not wanting to hold hands and threatening a tantrum in the middle of the road.

Traffic incident averted it is time for Baby Tilda to have her jabs and Mummy to have a emotional moment.

William needs yet another nappy before we are loading up and once again hitting the road.

At 4pm we all arrive home and unload everyone and everything from the car.

A nappy change and feed for Matilda Mae whilst Nana takes the toddlers out the garden.

4.30pm the Tesco man arrives and I begin to unpack the delivery. At the same time I am organising the fridge and the cupboards, sorting the washing and re tumble drying the washing that my unhelpful helper has appeared to rewashed!

Just before 5 I make toddler tea whilst continuing to sort out the shopping. I dash upstairs to source pyjamas for all and sort out clothes for the following day.

I at the same time oversee toddler tea and serve dessert before giving the baby her feed.

Baby Tilda falls asleep while feeding only for the toddlers to wake her when they come crashing down from their bath.

Time to get the toddlers to bed and then start all over again with Matilda.

Such a busy day.

It sometimes feels like I never have time to draw breath. Even when I am driving I am constantly talking and ensuring everyone is okay, pointing out tractors and horses and trucks.

I love getting out and about and I make sure that we do so at least once every day but it really is tough. And through every activity with Esther and William I have to have the baby on. It can be physically exhausting. My poor shredded back is proof of that!

I think I would add minutes to our day and reduce stress levels by finding a way of getting the toddlers to keep their shoes and socks on in the car! Every time we get in the car their shoes and socks are lost.

And though I love days like today when we are exploring and adventuring and having lunch out as a treat we still have to come home and come down – the house is dirty, there are dishes and clothes to wash and to dry. My to do list goes on and on because nothing on it can ever be done!

And thank goodness that Jumping Beans comes with a cup of tea for the mummies or else I just would not have had one today.

But today was actually a lovely day and Esther and William had a wonderful time but it was hard hard work for Nana and I, and more often than not I am doing this on my own!

Maybe I’m not such a bad mum after all!?!