One of my favorite things to do as a family is to watch American Ninja Warrior!  We’ve been loyal fans for a few years now, and we even have our own favorite competitors!!  For those who don’t know what it is, it’s a competition of athletes to see who can complete a set obstacle course in the fastest amount of time.  It’s a spinoff of a series from Japan.  If they mess up on the course they are disqualified from the competition. If they make it to “Mt. Midoriyama” in Las Vegas, and complete the course they become the winner.   It’s SUPER exciting!!  So much so, that the other night while I was cheering on one of the competitors, my six year old had to tell me to “Chill, Mom.”  What?!  Okay, maybe Mommy is getting a little too into it!  Was it my jumping off the couch as if to grab a imaginary ring to swing on?  Or was it my loud yelling at the tv , “Grab it!!” that made her say that, I’m not sure.  Whatever it was, I was told to chill. “Well!  I never!!”  🙂

So, I was thinking today that my morning sometimes feels like an obstacle course! 🙂 Maybe I could be the next American Ninja Mom!!  Are you ready?  It’s exciting…you’re going to be on the edge of your seat…here goes:

In my quest to reach the coffee pot (my Mt. Midoriyama) I launch from my bed to hop over all the scattered toys that have somehow ended up on our bedroom floor (from the kids playing in there the day before).  If I make it to the bathroom without stepping on a sharp little Barbie shoe, the corner of a yellow block, or an upside down hot wheels car, I’m safe!  The crowd cheers.

My next challenge is to use the bathroom, put on my bathrobe and slippers, and pull my hair back into a ponytail…all while answering zillions of lengthy, detailed questions by my two youngest (who somehow always hear me the very second I get up).  If I can do this without saying something unintelligible or crabby, I’ve made it to the next level with great success.  Again, the crowd cheers me on, I flash them a winning smile, and even give them a wave!

I’m starving, so the next goal is to scarf down a yogurt before the kids chase me to the kitchen and want their breakfast first.  Sounds selfish, but Mamma must eat first for the strength to make it through the rest of the course!  This is tough, and the crowd gets nervous on this one.  It requires tip toeing on my part, a lot of fast yogurt-eating, and a loud fridge door suction sound that always alerts them to the fact that I’m in the kitchen!  But this time,  I make it!!  Phew!

In the next obstacle, I am making three totally different breakfasts because none of my kids will eat the same thing without a horrendous battle that I’m not ready for at 6:30 in the morning!  It must be fast or they get mean…real mean!  I’m pouring waters, milks, syrup, throwing vitamins through the air to my hungry group, and toasting different things…all at the same time!  The microwave and I are both heating up and I’m trying to find the coffee spoon.  There it is…I found it!  Kids are soon happily eating at the table!  Done!  The crowd goes WILD!

Mt. Midoriyama is in view.  The coffee is almost done…and honestly, so am I…

Coffee!!!  Mt. Midoriyama for Mama!! 🙂  I won!  I won!  Now for Level two…getting everyone ready for the day…here we go!