Hilary's brow furrowed as she examined the calendar that hung on the kitchen wall.

She used it to try and keep her life organized, but half the time it just made everything feel more complicated. Probably because there was so much she had to keep track off. Between Alan's baseball practices and games, Vanessa's swimming practices and meets, Tammy's dance classes, doctor's appointments, playdates, and work commitments for both her and Tyson…the calendar often came up looking like a jumbled mess.

The little square that represented today was particularly bad. Tyson had an interview at BBA at 10, and she had to be there with him. Vanessa had swim practice from 11 to 2, Alan had baseball practice from 12 to 3, and Tam had ballet class from 4 to 5.

The whole day was packed.

Hilary sighed and rubbed her temple. The stress was building, and it wasn't even 8 o'clock in the morning.

The pressure only continued to build as Alan and Vanessa came trampling down the stairs, already arguing with one another. Hilary twitched an eyebrow and spun around, watching as they stormed into the kitchen.

"I told you not to touch my stuff!" Vanessa hissed, her hands balled into fists.

"I already told you I didn't touch your dumb swim bag," Alan challenged, rolling his eyes.

"You're such a liar," Vanessa grumbled, shaking her head.

"Am not!" Alan cried. "Why would I want anything in there?"

"To annoy me!"

"You two just woke up and you're already fighting?" Hilary groaned, finally deciding to interject.

"Mom, I can't find my favorite goggles," Vanessa fussed, ignoring her mother's question. "I'm sure Alan took them out of my swim bag to mess with me!"

"I didn't!" Alan argued.

Hilary sighed tiredly and inclined her head. "Vanessa, just because you can't find them doesn't mean your brother took them. I'll help you look for the goggles after breakfast…which I haven't even started making yet."

Vanessa didn't seem thrilled with letting Alan off the hook that easily, but regardless, she gave up the argument. Alan, on the other hand, seemed quite pleased that he was no longer the target of a witch hunt, and allowed a cheeky smile to grow on his face.

Hilary didn't see any of this, however. She already had her back turned towards the children, retrieving a pan to place on the stove. She switched on the heat before walking over to the fridge to pull out the carton of eggs, carrying them back over to her cooking station.

"Alan, Vanessa," Hilary called. She didn't look up from the stove, but she could easily sense she had gained both of their attention. "I have an important day, so I have to make sure I'm there early. No later than 9. Gramps is coming over to watch you two and Tammy, so make sure you behave and don't rouse him up for a sword fight."

Vanessa frowned. "Who's gonna take me to swimming?"

"'Mariah is going to pick you up," Hilary replied effortlessly. She may have been stressed, but fortunately, her brain was still firing at all cylinders. "And Alan, Arnie's dad will take you to baseball practice."

"Kay," both children mumbled tiredly.

Hilary was about to crack one of the eggs on the side of the pan, but stopped and let out a sharp gasp as realization hit. Maybe her brain wasn't working as well as she thought it was. Alan and Vanessa both exchanged bewildered looks before turning their eyes back onto their mother.

"Mom, are you okay?" Alan asked worriedly.

"Yeah," Hilary sighed, hunching her shoulders. "I just forgot you'll both need to bring lunch with you. But I haven't started on that yet either, and I'm running out of time."

Vanessa thought about it for a moment before her green eyes lit up. "That's okay! Alan and I will just make our own lunches!"

Alan's eyes widened, but his weren't bright like his sister's. "…what?"

"We should learn to do that kind of stuff anyway, right?" Vanessa asked theoretically. "Otherwise we won't be able to cook just like Dad, and that'd be bad."

Hilary smirked at the example. "You're right, it's definitely something you should learn. But I don't really want you two cooking a whole meal. Can you just try and make yourselves a sandwich or something like that?"

"Yeah, that'll be easy," Vanessa assured, hopping towards the pantry.

"Easy for you to say!" Alan cried, rushing after her.

Vanessa reached the pantry first and pulled open the doors, catching sight of the sliced bread and grabbing the package. She strutted towards the counter, Alan once again trailing close behind her. Vanessa removed the bag's twist tie and was surprised when she pulled out the last two slices of bread.

"I guess Mom didn't realize we had such little bread left," Vanessa noted aloud before shrugging her shoulders. "Oh well!"

Alan blinked hard as she placed both slices on a paper plate. "You're not gonna share?!"

Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "How am I supposed to share? I need both pieces if I want to make a sandwich."

"But I wanted a sandwich too!" Alan bickered.

"That's too bad," Vanessa chirped. "Guess you'll have to find something else!"

"Mom!" Alan shouted, causing his mother to wince. "There's only two pieces of bread left and Vanessa took them both for herself!"

"Only two left?!" Hilary exhaled sharply. "Ugh, I'll have to try and run to the supermarket today too."

"But what about my lunch?" Alan whined.

"It is awfully hard to split two slices of bread, Alan," Hilary reasoned with him. "Those would be some very small sandwiches! Could you try and find something else to make?"

Vanessa grinned, amused that her mother had suggested the exact same thing as her. Alan scowled and pinched his sister's arm, causing her to yelp. "Mom, Alan pinched me!"

"Would you two stop fighting?" Hilary demanded, finally losing her patience. "You're starting to sound too much like Dad and I as kids, and it's not cute."

"Kids?" Alan deadpanned. "You guys still argue like that."

Hilary frowned and turned back towards the stove. "Start looking for something to make your lunch with."

Alan snickered, amused that he had befuddled his mother, and walked back over to the pantry. He browsed the shelves, looking over boxes of pasta and cookies and cereal, cups of fruit and other ingredients that just wouldn't add up for a lunch that he'd have to make. Alan looked over his shoulder, frowning as he watched his sister use a knife to spread some peanut butter on one of her slices of her bread. He just wanted a sandwich too! It definitely seemed like the easiest thing to make…you couldn't really mess up a sandwich, after all.

When Alan turned his head back towards the panty, another package caught his eye. He pulled it out and examined the bag before grinning to himself and closing the door, proudly pulling up next to his sister. He dropped the package on the counter, creating a small rush of air that led Vanessa to look down. As soon as she saw what he'd put down, Vanessa blinked and shot him an incredulous look.

"Hamburger buns?"

"Yeah, it's bread!" Alan chuckled. "Pass me the peanut butter."

As the children were finishing up making their lunch, and Hilary was simultaneously finishing making breakfast, Tyson came down the stairs with Tammy in his arms and Tucker following at his feet.

"Morning!" Tyson announced, as cheery as always.

"Ah, look who's finally awake," Hilary teased, still keeping her back turned.

"Hey, some people in this family need a little extra beauty rest," Tyson quickly, though playfully, retorted. "We can't all just wake up as beautiful as you are."

"Ooh, that was smooth," Hilary marveled, sounding genuinely impressed. "How can I even pretend to be mad after a compliment like that?"

"How can you even be pretend to be mad at a face like this?" Tyson questioned, motioning towards himself.

"Alright, let's not push it," Hilary sighed, her smile deceiving her by widening. "Put Tammy down and set the table for me, would you? Breakfast is just about ready."

"Kay," Tyson agreed.

He placed Tammy down in her chair at the table and gave her a little pat on the head before heading over to the children, who were hastily stuffing their lunches into brown paper bags.

"What are you guys up to?" Tyson chuckled.

"We decided to help Mom out and make our own lunches!" Vanessa replied.

"Ah, that was very nice!" Tyson crowed. "What'd you both make?"

"I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," Vanessa answered.

"Hey, that's always a good choice!" Tyson complimented. "What about you, Alan?"

Before the boy could respond, Hilary's voice rang out, "everyone come get breakfast!"

Alan and Vanessa ran past their father so fast they nearly spun him around. He remained there stunned for a short moment before Hilary called again, "Tyson, if you don't sit down now, these three are going to eat everything!"

"Coming!" Tyson breathed, walking briskly towards the table.

In front of every seat sat a plate of scrambled eggs. In the middle of the table there was a single plate filled with bacon, and a large bowl full of fruit. Alan, Vanessa, and Tammy were all grabbing for the bacon, dropping the slices on their plates.

"We're all going to eat some fruit too, right?" Hilary prodded. "Not just the bacon?"

"But the bacon's the best part!" Alan exclaimed, stuffing an entire strip in his mouth to prove his point.

"Maybe, but the fruit is good for you," Hilary reminded him. "And please try and take bites of your food instead of shoving the whole thing in your mouth."

Alan smirked and picked up another piece of bacon, this time taking a more conservative bite of it.

Across the table, Tammy picked up her plastic fork (she, unlike the rest of her family, used toddler tableware) and began stabbing rather mercilessly at her eggs. Tyson let out a short laugh before covering his mouth after Hilary shot him a disapproving look.

"Tammy, do you need help?" Hilary asked kindly.

"No," Tammy quickly refuted. "I do it."

"Of course," Hilary sighed, turning her attention back to her own breakfast.

"Hey, I think it's great that she's so independent!" Tyson chuckled. "You go ahead and feed yourself, Tam."

Tammy finally managed to pick up some eggs with her fork and tried to stuff it in her mouth, but it slipped off and landed on her lap instead. Tyson's previously broad smile weakened, while Hilary was anything but surprised.

"She's independent alright," Hilary muttered. "But actually getting the food in her mouth is still a challenge."

This time, Hilary took the plastic fork without asking, and Tammy didn't protest. The rest of breakfast went without incident, and everyone easily finished off their meals. As she finished chewing her last bite, Hilary flicked her wrist to take a look at her watch and check the time. It was just past 8:30 A.M.

"Okay, everyone, plates in the sink," Hilary instructed. "Gramps is going to be here any minute, and I don't want him to walk into a messy kitchen!"

All three kids cheered and followed their mother's instructions, even little Tammy (who was always up for following after her older siblings in whatever they did).

"Mom, you said you'd help me look for my goggles!" Vanessa reminded her mother. "And if we find them in Alan's room-"

"I remember," Hilary cut her off, giving the girl a pointed look. "And I'm almost positive we won't."

"What do you mean 'almost'?" Alan grumbled, looking somewhat offended.

"Alright, I'm sorry, I'm sure we won't," Hilary corrected herself. "No more arguing, alright? Both of you head upstairs and make sure your bags are in order and ready to go so you don't keep Mariah and Arnie's parents waiting! I'll be up there in just a few minutes."

Alan and Vanessa both scurried up the stairs. Tammy tilted her head and watched them go, only putting it up back upright once they were out of sight.

"Wha- -bout me, Mommy?" Tammy squeaked.

"Mmm…" Hilary intoned, trying to think. "How about you go watch some cartoons?''

Tammy beamed as she nodded her head before running into the next room. Hilary smiled to herself and got to her feet, picking up her plate with the intent to put it in the sink. She was surprised, however, when Tyson pulled up next to her and took the plate out of her hands.

"I'll take care of the dishes," Tyson offered. "You go help the kids out upstairs!"

"Aw!" Hilary giggled and pressed a kiss against her husband's cheek. "You're so sweet! Thanks, Tyson!"

"Heh, no prob," Tyson assured her, walking towards the sink. Hilary watched him go, and as she did, the two paper bags sitting on the counter caught her attention.

"Oh, Alan and Vanessa forgot to bring their lunches up with them," Hilary breathed. "I'd better bring them upstairs with me or those two won't remember to put them in their bags!"

Hilary moved forward to retrieve the lunches. As she grabbed them, she realized there was something else that had been left out on the counter: a package of hamburger buns.

"What?" Hilary murmured to herself.

Opening up the paper bag in her left hand, Hilary raised an eyebrow as she pulled out a plastic sandwich container, opening it up and being met with-

"What're you looking at?"

Hilary blinked and glanced up at Tyson, who was watching her from just a few feet away. The water was running in the sink, and he held a wet plate in his hands, soap and water dripping from its rim back into the sink.

"Oh, nothing," Hilary replied lightly, popping the top back on the container. "Just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich our son made with hamburger buns."

"Hamburger buns?" Tyson repeated.

"Yeah, we ran out of bread, and when I told him to make something else, I guess he decided to get creative instead," Hilary explained, sliding the container back into the paper bag.

"Technically, hamburger buns are bread," Tyson pointed out.

"I'm aware," Hilary sighed, gathering both paper bags. "And honestly, at this point, I'm too tired to argue how ridiculous it is, because you're right. It's still bread."

Tyson blinked and looked over his shoulder at the clock on the wall. "Tired? It's 8:45 in the morning."

"Yeah, and I feel like I've been awake for 15 hours straight," Hilary calmly argued. "Don't forget, we have a collective interview at 10. And then there's a new sponsorship meeting at 2."

"Aw man, that's going to take all day," Tyson groaned, hanging his head. "I'm gonna need to bring myself a mid-morning snack."

"What about a sandwich?" Hilary suggested, turning her back to him as she headed for the stairs. "I'll leave the hamburger buns on the counter for you."

Tyson turned his eyes from his wife onto the package of buns and shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, I'm not picky.