Sorry no DH is not home and won't be for months yet, that was a typo. Meant to read "Without DH home"!! (When he's at home it's a breeze, we divide and conquer and I get to sit down on the couch by a reasonable hour).

Pregpan, ideally that would work for us except DD1 really needs to have dinner earlier than that because it takes an eternity for her to eat (always has) and then she gets to bed too late and then I have a grumpy uncooperative 10 yo on my hands as well.

Nic I'm starting to think the solution lies in getting started ridiculously early in the afternoon. Trouble is at 4.00pm I never feel like I've finished doign whatever I'm doing for the day LOL.