I actually don't mind lunchtime either. I do a lot of my "heavy cooking" on Sunday and than just reheat it and add the sides. I have one child who brings his own food at his parents request because he can't have dairy. They have asked why he can't have our food or why they can't have his but I just tell them he has special food and that's it. They are 18 months to 2.5 though and don't really care that they have different food lol.
I try to plate it all at the same time but I don't stress if one child has to wait for their plate because I'm waiting for the toaster or whatever. They won't starve and it won't kill them to wait. Teaching patience is a great skill they need to have!!
While I am plating the plates they are cleaning up the toy room. After they are done eating, I wash them up and they go to the library area and read books until I have done the dishes and swept the floor and tidied the kitchen. Than I read a couple stories or do our circle activity. Than we do diaper change and everyone gets put into bed. I shut the lights off, turn on some quiet spa music and I head upstairs. I watch and listen for them on my video monitor...they all fall asleep within 5 minutes and all sleep the same length except for one(he always poops about an hour into nap lol) but he stays quietly in his play pen. Nap time and lunchtime are pretty smooth around here....thank goodness! haha
