Olya Hill - Photos and Interview

Mother Stories

A Mother Of SIX (!) Reveals All

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

Photography by Photographed by Maria Del Rio

Feb 3, 2016

Keeping it together personally, professionally, and from a style standpoint with one child is a cause for salute. A woman doing the same with six children? We bow down. Here, you’re going to meet a mother doing just that. A professional ballet dancer by trade, San Francisco-based Olya Hill is also the Creative Director and photographer behind Urban Cruising and popular Instagram feed @livingnotes, and mama to a 12-year-old, 9-year-old, 7-year-old, 4-year-old, 2-year-old, and 5-month-year-old.

To see how she operates, we met up with the Hill gang, outfitted them in our favorite Old Navy trends of the moment (mommy-and-me jumpsuits, denim-on-denim for the whole fam, statement-making outerwear, and lots more!), got a peek into how on earth you house a family of eight in a city apartment, and chatted with the matriarch of the bunch on work, style, and raising her sizable, incredibly well-behaved (and dressed) brood. Bookmark this one, people. This lady is clearly doing something right.

This post is brought to you by Mother + Old Navy

: "He is from a large family (5 kids), I am not (2 kids). It was his idea, but my decision. When we had our third child (I was sure she was last), somehow everything changed. I saw all three of them together playing and I knew that there was probably going to be more kids for our family. When I look back, I can't imagine being fully happy without any of them."
Olya wears an A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Relaxed Striped Top, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.

: "Apart from love and all, I am never short on news. I know everything that happened, whenever it happened, and why and how it happened, too."
A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Relaxed Striped Top, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.

: Meet the gang! Left to right: Nikolay Aiden, 12, Evangelina ("Yeva") Margarita, 7, Nadezhda ("Nadya") Suzanna, 9, Vasilisa Isabella, 4, Evyianne Zlatoslav, 2, and Elisavetta Sofia, 5 months (in Bugaboo).
Nikolay wears a Snap Baseball Jacket, $17.95, Old Navy; Striped Slub-Knit Tee for Boys, $6.50, Old Navy; Zip-Pocket Joggers, $14.95, Old Navy; and Colorblock Canvas Slip-Ons for Boys, $11.25, Old Navy.
Yeva wears a Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy; Short-Sleeve Chambray Dress for Girls, $14, Old Navy; Geo Print Scalloped-Edge Scarf, $12.50, Old Navy; Printed Leggings for Girls, $4.90, Old Navy; and Chambray Slip-On Sneakers for Girls, $15, Old Navy.
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy; Chambray Overalls for Girls, $28, Old Navy; Hi-Lo Striped Tee, $19, Old Navy; and Graphic Print High-Tops for Girls, $26.94, Old Navy.
Olya wears an A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Relaxed Striped Top, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.
Vasilisa wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; Tutu Tank Dress, $12, Old Navy; and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Evyianne wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; Patterned Footed Sleeper for Baby, $14, Old Navy; and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.

: "Lost socks! Somehow we are always down by at least 40% after the laundry! Also, taste preferences. They are not picky, which is remarkable for kids, but they do have food preferences. It can be a challenge sometimes, especially when that 'challenge' is 2-years-old."
Vasilisa wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; Tutu Tank Dress, $12, Old Navy; and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Evyianne wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; Patterned Footed Sleeper for Baby, $14, Old Navy; and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.

: “It’s an absolute priority. Sometimes it means that one of them helps me prepare food, with the other one we go shopping together and leave everyone else behind. Coffee/hot chocolate moments, and so on. They open up from a completely different side when alone with me. It's a very important part of raising them."
Olya wears an A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Relaxed Striped Top, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.
Nadya wears Chambray Overalls for Girls, $28, Old Navy; Hi-Lo Striped Tee, $19, Old Navy; and Graphic Print High-Tops for Girls, $26.94, Old Navy.

: "After three, it really doesn't matter. If you can manage three, you can manage 3,000. Other advice: Find time for yourself, even if that means getting up an hour early and sacrificing that oh-so-needed sleep. You will be glad you got up. Every woman needs 'me' time. Also, don't forget about your husband/partner. It is easy to get lost in the love children give, but there is a second side to every relationship. Don't neglect it."
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy; Chambray Overalls for Girls, $28, Old Navy; and Hi-Lo Striped Tee, $19, Old Navy.
Yeva wears a Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy; Short-Sleeve Chambray Dress for Girls, $14, Old Navy; Geo Print Scalloped-Edge Scarf, $12.50, Old Navy; and Printed Leggings for Girls, $4.90, Old Navy.

: "It does! I send them off to the Sunday market, a playground, or a local bakery with daddy every weekend! And getting up before everyone else on the weekdays helps to feel like it's 'just me,' too."
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy; Chambray Overalls for Girls, $28, Old Navy; and Hi-Lo Striped Tee, $19, Old Navy.
Yeva wears a Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy; Short-Sleeve Chambray Dress for Girls, $14, Old Navy; Geo Print Scalloped-Edge Scarf, $12.50, Old Navy; Printed Leggings for Girls, $4.90, Old Navy; and Chambray Slip-On Sneakers for Girls, $15, Old Navy.

"We use the K12 system. When moving to S.F. we never thought we would encounter a problem with school placement. The lottery system caught us off guard, and because we moved in the middle of the year, we had no choice of proper school. A principal from a Montessori school the kids went to prior to S.F. suggested the K12 option. We didn't really have much of a choice, so we gave it a try and absolutely loved the experience. This is when all the technology of the future pays off in full. K12 is not homeschool. They do learn at home, but it is customized to each child online. There is a program with a daily plan laid out for each child, it deeply tests several times a year to ensure that material presented is utilized properly, each child has a personal tutor apart from subject teachers, and the program allows for deep learning of areas that each child is interested in. Every state differs slightly, but in California this program is fantastic. There are also virtual classrooms, where children connect live with other kids and teachers, and group meetings for project development, socialization, etc. It's strict enough that they can't slack off. Every day testing of knowledge ensures that the material from the daily plan was learned. Considering the college system in the U.S., this is a great way to prepare kids for independent but responsible learning and give them a strong knowledge base. It's not for everyone, but it works fantastic for us."
Graphic Print High-Tops for Girls, $26.94, Old Navy.

"No, we don't. We tried that route many years ago when we just started having children, and somehow it just didn't quite click for us. It is not always easy to adjust to a third adult in a family. We just manage everyone and everything together."
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy.
Elia wears a Sherpa One-Button Jacket, $15.99, Old Navy.

"Every mom that loves her child is an icon to me. My grandmother was my biggest influence. She has achieved everything and more from not just a ‘zero' level, but below one. My mom, she is my absolutely best friend. I hope to grow a relationship with my children the way she was able to create ours. Also, my godmother, who is an example of a very successful entrepreneur and a mom. And Elena Schelin is a role model for being a loving wife, accomplished woman, and a never-ending flow of positivity. One can't have too much of that in today's world."
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy.
Elia wears a Sherpa One-Button Jacket, $15.99, Old Navy.

"The Whole Brain Child, The Developing Mind, How Children Succeed, and Einstein Never Used Flash Cards are the few that come to mid."
Evyianne wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; Patterned Footed Sleeper for Baby, $14, Old Navy; and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Olya wears an A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Relaxed Striped Top, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.

"Frozen pierogi. The Armenian store on Geary supplies fantastic ones! Also, soup or pizza."
Vasilisa wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; Tutu Tank Dress, $12, Old Navy; and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Olya wears an A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Relaxed Striped Top, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.

"A sense of responsibility, is definitely a big similarity, and a drive to achieve goals. Differences would be having a big family! They just barely adjusted to the idea that they are grandparents to six little ones now!"
Vasilisa wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; Tutu Tank Dress, $12, Old Navy; and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Olya wears an A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Relaxed Striped Top, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.

"As far as life itself, it hasn't changed too much. Sure, I sleep a lot less and don't get to wear skirts too much, but as far as everything else, I was blessed to be able to keep going down my path. My support team is strong now, and it gets stronger with every new person that joins our family. What changed really is my outlook on life, on motherhood. I have changed. And that change is tremendous. The overbearing feeling of love for a new baby came with the feeling of responsibility for this tiny person, which then led to the desire to be the best I could possibly be, to make that pair of blue eyes that looked at me the happiest ever."
Vasilisa wears a Hooded Twill Anorak, $14.90, Old Navy; and Tutu Tank Dress, $12, Old Navy.
Olya wears an A-Line Hooded Trench, $59.94, Old Navy; White Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.

"Yes! But it seems so empty when I think of it now! It's so much more rich and, in all honesty, FUN now! I mean, just hearing ‘Hey, siwi! [Siri] wheah does Nikola hide his Legos?' is enough to make up for any hard day or week."
Nikolay wears a Snap Baseball Jacket, $17.95, Old Navy; Striped Slub-Knit Tee for Boys, $6.50, Old Navy; Zip-Pocket Joggers, $14.95, Old Navy; and Colorblock Canvas Slip-Ons for Boys, $11.25, Old Navy.

"How much love I am able to feel for a tiny person. And the fact that I wouldn't mind being covered in spit-up if that's what helps the baby to feel better. And how much a little baby needs to have—that, too!"
Snap Baseball Jacket, $17.95, Old Navy; Striped Slub-Knit Tee for Boys, $6.50, Old Navy; and Zip-Pocket Joggers, $14.95, Old Navy.

"Every name has a story! Nikola (Nikolay) is named after my father, whom he absolutely adores even when oceans apart. Nadya (Nadezhda) is named after my grandmother—they share a birthday and when we were deciding on a name for her, the heartbeat monitor (she was a preemie) went up when we mentioned Nadya, so there she is. Yeva (Evangelina) gets her name from a book we both happened to read during childhood. Vasilisa is a folk character name from my childhood that my husband happens to love, as well. It was completely his idea. Evyianne is a very old English form of John, after St. John of San Francisco. And Elia (Elisavetta) just had such a presence about herself when she was born, that this seemed to be the most fitting option. She is also known as 'the queen's queen!' in our headquarters because she has us all wrapped around her chubby little finger!"
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy; Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy; and Chambray Slip-On Sneakers for Girls, $15, Old Navy.
Yeva wears a Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy; Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy; and Canvas High-Tops for Girls, $26, Old Navy.
Vasilisa wears a Floral Crinkle-Gauze Dress, $15, Old Navy and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Olya wears a Chenille-Print Crew-Neck Sweatshirt, $16.97, Old Navy; Drawstring Tapered Cropped Pants, $32.94, Old Navy; Textured Lace-Up Sneakers, $16, Old Navy; and handkerchief and bag, her own.

"To see kids grow, to see them learn, to help them make first steps, to laugh with them, to cry with them, to soak up their smiles and...to be a child again with them! Where else would I get a free ticket to play dolls during the day, shoot water-guns at the park, or go down a slide?"
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy; Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy; and Chambray Slip-On Sneakers for Girls, $15, Old Navy.
Vasilisa wears a Floral Crinkle-Gauze Dress, $15, Old Navy and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Yeva wears a Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy; Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy; and Canvas High-Tops for Girls, $26, Old Navy.

"That something can happen to them or they can get hurt. When someone gets sick, I don't sleep until all is well. I just can’t."
Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy and Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy.
Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy and Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy.

“Early school for them, work for me, and then a museum (The Academy of Sciences or Exploratorium), park, and then an outing for ice cream, preferably at the beach. And talking, talking, talking! I love hearing all of their stories—made up and true ones—and getting a peek into their little minds. It fascinates me.”
Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy.

"After the third one I said, 'Time will tell.' I was happy when we had just one. I was happy with three. I am very happy with six now. Elia is too young right now for me to think either way, but I am keeping that door open."
Canvas High-Tops for Girls, $26, Old Navy.

"I'm a chameleon! Everything depends completely on my mood! My style has changed with kids. There are significantly less skirts in my OOTD simply because a skirt on a sky-high slide is not the most convenient attire!"
Chenille-Print Crew-Neck Sweatshirt, $16.97, Old Navy; Drawstring Tapered Cropped Pants, $32.94, Old Navy; handkerchief and bag, Olya's own.

"In person. I may get something online every now and then, but nothing beats in-person shopping. I love small boutiques that have a nicely curated selection—I have some favorites in Noe Valley, Little Italy, and Hayes Valley. But at the same time, large stores comes in very handy, too."
Yeva wears a Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy; Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy; and Canvas High-Tops for Girls, $26, Old Navy.
Vasilisa wears a Floral Crinkle-Gauze Dress, $15, Old Navy and Patterned Rain Boots, $16, Old Navy.
Olya wears a Chenille-Print Crew-Neck Sweatshirt, $16.97, Old Navy; Drawstring Tapered Cropped Pants, $32.94, Old Navy; Textured Lace-Up Sneakers, $16, Old Navy; and handkerchief and bag, her own.
Nadya wears a Faux-Fur Jacket for Girls, $22.99, Old Navy; Geo Print Swing Dress for Girls, $20, Old Navy; and Chambray Slip-On Sneakers for Girls, $15, Old Navy.

"Jeans! I have a ridiculous amount of them, but I love every pair and that's all I wear, so it is justified."
Yeva wears Denim Overalls for Girls, $23, Old Navy; Hi-Lo Graphic Tee for Girls, $12.94, Old Navy; and Canvas High-Tops for Girls, $26, Old Navy.
Nikolay wears a Canvas Blazer, $20.95, Old Navy; Graphic Shark Tee for Boys, $5.95, Old Navy; Distressed Skinny Jeans for Boys, $16, Old Navy; and Chambray Mid-Top Sneakers for Boys, $13.75, Old Navy.
Nadya wears a Loose-Knit Open-Front Cardigan, $25, Old Navy, and Paneled Chambray Dress for Girls, $13, Old Navy.
Olya wears Skinny Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Denim Boyfriend Trucker Jacket, $38, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.
Elia wears a Henley Dress for Baby, $10, Old Navy.
Vasilisa wears a Jersey Dress, $8, Old Navy, and Distressed Cuffed Jeans, $14, Old Navy.
Evyianne wears a French Rib-Knit Derby Jacket, $11.40, Old Navy, and Slouchy Knit Pants for Baby, $7, Old Navy.

"Dance is still a big part of my life, so a couple hours a day is what takes care of it all for me. It's my meditation, it's my 'me' time, my 'leave-everything-behind-and-and-just-be' time."

"It's simple. Clean and replenish at night, touch-up in the morning. As far as makeup goes, it's a 5-minute thing: A little blush, eye liner, and mascara, and often times a red lip is all that I need to feel put together."
Yeva wears Denim Overalls for Girls, $23, Old Navy, and Hi-Lo Graphic Tee for Girls, $12.94, Old Navy.
Olya wears Skinny Denim Overalls, $44.94, Old Navy; Denim Boyfriend Trucker Jacket, $38, Old Navy; and Geo-Print Fringe Blanket Scarf, $13, Old Navy.

"We haven't been in our apartment for very long—three years, give or take. As many people do, we moved to S.F. for a job, so we flew in a few months prior to the move to look for neighborhoods and find a place. A friend gave us a tour around the city, we looked at a few homes, but nothing really fit the bill. We were on our way to a hotel when the listing for our home popped up. At 9 p.m. we drove by to see it and loved everything about it. A few months later we had the movers bringing boxes up the stairs. Must have been meant to be!"
Denim Overalls for Girls, $23, Old Navy, and Hi-Lo Graphic Tee for Girls, $12.94, Old Navy.

"You will laugh, but the words that come to mind are 'my childhood.' Eastern European would probably be the best fit."

“No, no. They have their space and we have ours. It's a very clean cut. We let them bring a toy or two (especially toddlers), but we have an unbreakable rule: only the toys they are playing with at this very moment, whatever is in their hands, can come. Everything else must stay in its place. Otherwise, with six of them it's easy to live in a 'toy world.' We also keep a good portion of toys at my studio, which helps keep it balanced and the kids entertained when I am busy working."
Quilted Slip-On Sneaker, $14, Old Navy; Chambray Canvas Hi Top, $15, Old Navy; Chambray Mid-Top Sneakers for Boys, $13.75, Old Navy; Canvas High-Tops for Girls, $26, Old Navy.

"There are just two of them. The four oldest share, and then the two babies have their space with two cribs. The choice was entirely the kids' idea to share. Prior to moving to S.F. we tried four private rooms, but they would all end up in one room anyway. I am sure this stage will pass as they grow, but for now, while they want it, I love it. I hear a lot of giggles at bedtime and that too reminds me of my childhood. For the four oldest, we use a customized IKEA bunk bed. Nikola gets the upper portion and the girls have three sections below. Evyainne regularly loudly complains that he can't sleep there, so sometimes I let him join for a bedtime story and to fall asleep."
Henley Dress for Baby, $10, Old Navy.

: "Everyone helps! We start early on teaching them. My philosophy is if they can intentionally throw it, they are able to help and clean up. Some of the babies started to help at 9 months, others a little later. Cleaning is a fun thing at our house, so they love to help!"
Striped Sleep Set, $7.40, Old Navy.

: "Being Creative Director for Urban Crusing/@livingnotes is my main job. Initially, it was my idea for a platform for modern parents that would connect to all things art-related, from obvious things like local concerts or family-friendly exhibits to food and even baby products for design-conscious parents. Now I am responsible for the creative side of Urban Cruising, as well as have a blogging column. I absolutely love it. My creative side gets lots of 'dancing room' even outside of the ballet studio. It's my new stage in some ways. Then there is my @livingnotes Instagram that unexpectedly took on a life of its own during my pregnancy with Elia while I was simply recording my days with the bump. It made me realize how many women across the world face the same issues I did during my six pregnancies, but don't have a solution and don't know where to look for one. So, at the end of 2015 we launched a 'Between us, girls' project targeted initially for Eastern European moms/women. It's a series of educational webinars, live seminars, and text editorials in the areas of childbirth, pregnancy, and baby and women's health, all presented by professionals in different fields, mixed with personal and real life experiences from very real women and mothers. Though it's in the early stages, I believe that this project will bring a lot of needed help to those seeking it."
Patterned Footed Sleeper for Baby, $14, Old Navy; Striped Sleep Set, $7.40, Old Navy; and Graphic Sleep Tee, $6.99, Old Navy, and Patterned Sleep Pants, $7.99, Old Navy.

: "I am Ukrainian by birth, and that is mainly the country I grew up in, though with dance I got to travel and study in Europe, as well. I came to the U.S. at 18. My core background is in ballet and NYU and BYU were both fantastic in expanding my horizons beyond just classical dance. As far as dance goes, I got very lucky to be able to dance with and for some fantastic groups/choreographers—from classical roles with Westchester Ballet to contemporary compositions from Burlington or Paul Taylor to some of the Broadway and character."
Nadya and Yeva wear Graphic Sleep Tees, $6.99, Old Navy, and Patterned Sleep Pants, $7.99, Old Navy.
Vasilisa wears a Striped Sleep Set, $7.40, Old Navy.

: "I have discovered a completely new niche of emotions and expressions that I didn't know existed. For arts, of any kind, expression is everything."
Graphic Sleep Tees, $6.99, Old Navy, and Patterned Sleep Pants, $7.99, Old Navy. Striped Sleep Set, $7.40, Old Navy.

: "My husband and my mom were my biggest supporters after my oldest son was born. I will be forever grateful for that. It was never easy. But I was blessed to have very understanding, kind, and encouraging people around me, making the impossible possible. Those were the early years where I didn't really have much choice or freedom. The oldest kids grew up in a dance studio with me and then followed me to the various sites as they would often be active participants of creative campaigns. Now that I am finally able to have more control over my schedule and have the ability to choose my projects or at least choose the schedule, it is infinitely easier. We just trade kids back and forth. Most of the time they can come with me if necessary, and the oldest ones do a great job of keeping the little ones entertained."
Graphic Sleep Tees, $6.99, Old Navy, and Patterned Sleep Pants, $7.99, Old Navy. Striped Sleep Set, $7.40, Old Navy.

: "I don't know if I am qualified to give this advice, it is probably more suited for someone who raised a family and was a partner in marriage for 30+ years. What I have learned in our 13 years is that it is important to remember that the less I expect, the easier it is to be happy."
Graphic Sleep Tees, $6.99, Old Navy, and Patterned Sleep Pants, $7.99, Old Navy. Striped Sleep Set, $7.40, Old Navy.

: "Seeing that it makes a difference in someone else's life. There is no better reward."
Graphic Sleep Tees, $6.99, Old Navy, and Patterned Sleep Pants, $7.99, Old Navy. Striped Sleep Set, $7.40, Old Navy.

: "Strengthening and expanding everything that has been planted over the last three years, particularly additions we have made in 2015."

: "San Francisco is a city that is not in a hurry. And it has European roots—diverse cultures and traditions make it fun to have kids here."
Graphic Sleep Set, $16, Old Navy.

: "In the U.S.? No, I think S.F. suits us very well! But I want to spend a few years in Europe with the kids. Both my husband and I lived there during our childhoods and we would love for our kids to have that experience, too."

: "Every museum (especially the Exploratorium); The beach—any will do, but Ocean Beach is gorgeous; Restaurants—practically everything in Little Italy (we also love hanging out there) and Le Marais Bakery is fantastic!"
Graphic Sleep Tee, $6.99, Old Navy.

: "I get up around 5-5:30. Elia sleeps until 7:30-8, so it's 'me time' for whatever I want to use it for. I get a lot of work done in those early hours, too. Since neither work or school have strict hours, I have to be very careful with not letting myself get lost in emails before I am 100% ready to start the day, or it will be more difficult to find time for myself. The kids start their lessons about 7:30-8 and this is also work time for me. Around 12-1 p.m. the kids are completely done with their daily plan for school, and I pause my things and we head out to the museums or other places to supplement whatever they are learning in school with some fun activities. We may grab a bite from a cafe in the early afternoon or they just eat their lunches they always have with them, and we head to classes—music, art, dance, karate, or swimming, depending on the day. I try to plan so that everyone is busy at about the same time and use the hours to catch up on work emails, editing, etc. A couple of hours, if focused, can be very productive. If I am very tired that day, this is my time to relax. If there is nothing on our schedule (a rarity, but it happens) it's full-on playground time, library time, do-whatever-you-want time for the kids. Around 6:30-ish we meet up with my husband and head home. Then it's dinner, prep for bed, storytime, and sleep for them, and more work time for me until somewhere around midnight. This is a typical day, plus or minus some minor differences. A weekend is different, of course."
Graphic Sleep Tee, $6.99, Old Navy, and Patterned Sleep Pants, $7.99, Old Navy.

: To follow along with Olya and her kids, check out her Instagram feed.
For all clothing featured in this shoot, head to Old Navy.

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