Total chaos

This evening was our "relaxing" evening of the week. That is frightening. We did get to have a dinner together as a family (and it wasn't hot dogs, grilled cheese, or cereal!) but then at 7:00 JR was performing in a recorder concert with the rest of the fourth graders. Pretty laid back evening. Yeah, when have things ever gone according to plan?

About 5:00 our dear friend Miss Jen called. Her second son is also in the fourth grade. Would it be all right if they parked at our house and walked up to the school with us? Of course, just be here at 6:30. At 6:00, a father of one of my softball players called. He wanted to show me the trailer that we will be having the girls ride in on Saturday for the Opening Day parade (unless the weathermen are correct and we'll need a boat instead). Could he come by this evening and show me? Well, Miss Jen is actually in charge of the parade details, but she'll be here at 6:30. He informs me that it will be no problem to be at my house at that time. Okay, come on by. At 6:15 my mother calls to tell me that she and my grandmothers are only about 5 minutes away as they've decided to come down for the concert and they are all coming by to park here and walk with us. Sure, come on by. All three vehicles managed to arrive in front of our house within 30 seconds of each other. My grandmother had brought along some things that were being sent our way from my cousin, and I'm trying to look at the trailer while keeping an eye on the clock and seven children. My wonderful husband was typing away on the computer so he can get his work done before we go to the concert and it just felt like children were running in every direction. I can only imagine what the neighbors were thinking!

On the upside, JR did a wonderful job at the concert. I really think music is going to be an interest of his...probably even more than sports. I try to encourage it in him, but there is such a huge sports influence on him from our own interests and from his friends that right now he's still pursuing that. Anyway, I was very proud of him, and I'm currently enjoying a large glass of wine to drown out any leftover chaos.

Good news, bad news

We received good news this week. All of HT's ball games will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. All of JC's ball games will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. JR's will be spread throughout the week, but at least I know that I'll always be able to see HT's games. We were very happy about this.

The bad news is that HT's games are Mondays and Wednesdays, and JC's games are Tuesdays and Thursdays. So this pretty much means we are at the ball park every night. There are lots of quick dinners in our future, and I miss our sit down family dinners, but all-in-all, it's still mostly good news.

Tomorrow brings a night off from baseball, but JR has a recorder concert. He's been working very hard to get ready for that. I don't think they start concert band in this district until 6th grade so we are a few years away from knowing if he is interested in that. He has also started the traditional fourth grade project of Famous Ohioans. He has chosen Tecumseh, a Shawnee Chief, as his famous Ohioan.

Hoping to get the kitchen painted this week...we'll see how it goes!

A couple of hours...

with nothing to do? I think it's true! HT's practice for this evening has been canceled, thanks to rain. He still has team pictures, but we might have a little bit of time this evening to not be running around. My husband pointed out that with practice canceled there are actually two other meetings that he could attend, but he already went to a meeting after school, and we both agree that having some unscheduled time this evening is a GOOD thing. I'm hoping to play a quick board game or read some extra chapters in the book I'm reading out loud to the family.

We had a wonderful, albeit very damp, weekend. My in-laws arrived Friday evening and we had dinner and visited with them. Saturday morning, bright and early, in spite of the drizzle, JR and my husband had ball practice. That evening we took the in-laws along to my parents and had dinner with some extended family there. Yesterday was JC's First Communion. She looked beautiful. Some very good friends of ours had started joining us at church in the fall, and their two sons decided they wanted to go through First Communion this year as well. Combined we took up four pews at Mass, then joined together for a big meal after. I love that we got to share it with them. We were all exhausted last evening and there were early bedtimes all around. This morning HT and I shared breakfast with the in-laws before their drive home. We miss them so much! This evening I took the kids to McDonald's for summer...it was McTeacher night there as a fundraiser. Talk about a zoo! We will be spending the rest of our week at the ball fields, getting ready for Opening Day on Saturday!

So, so tired.

We've made it to another weekend. I hate to complain about how tired I am, but I'm really, really tired. We've had beautiful weather this week. There are sadly, two downsides, even to perfect weather. The first is that it means no ball practices were canceled. I know that the kids love practice and I'm glad they get to go have fun, but I wouldn't mind a family dinner where all members of the family were actually present...in fact I prefer it that way. Secondly, I'm pretty much allergic to everything this time of year, and I just feel crappy. With coaching, I can't even stay home and hide, I get to be out in the midst of all the things that make me so miserable. So in those regards, it's been a rough week. But there are many good things in life as well. My in-laws have arrived safe and sound, and we are looking forward to the many wonderful activities that we have planned with so many loved ones this weekend. And this morning was a special treat. My wonderful husband had a field trip at an Indian Village about 20 minutes from our house. Since the youngest doesn't go to Kindergarten until after lunch, he and I were able to drive over and spend the morning with Dad and the high schoolers on the field trip. It wasn't exactly my favorite activity, but I did enjoy watching HT get to share these things with his dad, and I loved watching him jump in to the activities the high school kids were doing. I'm so grateful for the opportunities we get to share as a family everyday, and I tell myself that it's worth being this tired to make these memories. And now I think it's time for bed!

Spring Cleaning

Normally, I try to spring clean one room at a time. That, however, usually requires an entire day (at least) to do the room. I don't have that this year. It just isn't in the cards here. I'm more into cleaning one piece of furniture at a time. Originally, this was stressful to me. I've adjusted though. I'm feeling more peaceful about it. I'm working hard on getting things done around the house, but I'm not stressing about it. I'm taking time to have fun with my kids and enjoy them at this age while they still want to hang out with me. The rooms will get clean when they get clean, and if company stops in, they can just join in the game of Monopoly or listen to a chapter of a book. My in-laws are coming this weekend for JC's First Communion, and I'm hoping that they jump on board with my philosophy, because the house is not going to be in great shape when they get here!

A gem from JC

Since JC had her friend spend the night last night, she didn't receive her normal amount of sleep. This is never a good thing. We spent our morning explaining to her that it was very important for her to try to be nice today, because if she couldn't be nice today, we were less likely to ask any friends overnight again, or to allow her to sleep over at a friend's house. It's been a bit of a struggle for her, but to her credit, I can tell that she is trying, even if she isn't totally succeeding. Earlier, however, we were having a conversation (I can't remember exactly the details) and she announced to me, with all of the attitude an eight-year-old can muster (and don't underestimate how much that can be) that "I am too old for that. I am not a little girl. I'm just small for my age." Life with children often makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time!

Trash day

JR and my wonderful husband are off to clean up our metro park this morning. Ironically, this is the chilliest morning we've had in several weeks and it's currently in the upper 30's. The temps will get up to the 50's today, so it's really going to be a beautiful day, it's just an awfully chilly start. JC also had a friend spend the night last night. They both have trouble behaving and getting along with others, but put these two together and life is almost always wonderful. Strangely enough, they seem to bring out the best in each other! They are currently planning their morning conquests and activities. And speaking of trash, my house desperately needs to be cleaned! I'm staring at dust bunnies as I write this and they need to go away. Here's to hoping I find some much needed motivation!

Newpapers are priceless

I absolutely love newspapers. It has always been my primary source of news. I think it is because I'm really a worrier, and with the newspaper I can basically pick and choose which news stories I read. It's also my daily source of brain challenge, as I do the sudoku and crossword puzzle every day. My wonderful husband brings it in every morning and leaves it on the dining room table. I generally get around to reading it with my lunch. The older two kids, however, have taken to reading it, especially the sports, while they are sitting at the table for breakfast. I love that they take this upon themselves! In fact, many mornings they even fight over the sports section. Part of that is the fact that the Reds are playing again, so there is an article about them pretty much every day. I'm really happy that they are wanting to read! And another bonus with newspapers is all of the wonderful coupons we get from them each week...they more than pay for themselves!

Rolling along

Or should I say running along? This week is really the worst in many regards. It is the last week that JR has after school tutoring for standardized testing. By the time he gets home, I'm trying to throw dinner on the table so we can run out to the ball field. JC is suffering, I can tell. She's tired from the running, and thanks to the fact that this year we are one of the Top 10 worst places to live for allergies, I don't think she's feeling all that well. Her behavior is pretty rough right now, and my patience is pretty short. But it is already Thursday, and although we have a busy weekend, I'm looking forward to being able to play some games and hopefully the kids will get some down time!

Running the rat race

Just as I knew would happen, the rat race has begun. I love my kids being active, but to be perfectly honest, baseball/softball/tball season is not my favorite of the year. Someone in this family has a practice every day this week except Saturday. Yep, even Friday and Sunday. It makes family life challenging as we are running different directions. I know some families that make baseball practices a family outing. With the amount of time it takes our kids, especially JR, to finish his homework, that isn't really an option. I don't know how other families manage so well. Are my children really the only ones out there that require so much time for their homework? Are my children the only ones that need to be in bed between 8 & 8:30 or they are absolute monsters the next day? Sometimes it feels that way.

Back to the routine

After two weeks without it, I'm looking forward to being back in my routine again today. Eight weeks from today will be the last day of school for the kids. I'm looking forward to what I'm sure will be a wonderful summer, but at the same time, I don't want eight weeks to fly by too quickly. I've always had so much one-on-one time with my youngest, and that is going to be gone after the next eight weeks. It will be a huge adjustment next fall when he goes to school and comes home at the same time as the other two.

Anyway, to recap our spring break...several days were spent just trying to clean up the house and try on everyone's clothes for the warmer weather. I'm very grateful for family and friends. We've received so many hand-me-downs over the years, and lots of good friends and family like to buy clothes, so there is no big need the children have, and that's true almost every season! I know that JR and JC will be wanting to choose their own clothes before too long, but until then I'm grateful for the savings. We had a big outing on Friday when we went to COSI. We got to see a Titanic exhibit and take in a 3D movie on dolphins and whales in addition to all of the normal fun science things to do there. We also had lots of ball practices, and lots of beautiful weather! I'm so grateful for the opportunities to make great memories with the kids!

Spring break part II

This week the kids are on spring break. We are all enjoying a little break from school work, but we've been staying very busy anyway! We returned from the in-laws on Monday, in time for HT to attend his tball practice. Should be a fun season for him! Yesterday I attempted to continue unpacking, all while also going through tubs of clothes to decide what will fit whom this year. We also had a friend and her daughter over for lunch and they were here for several hours. Last evening was my coaching debut, and I'm pleased to report that things went very well! We have great girls, and equally as important, they have great parents (for I've learned it is the parents who make any volunteer project challenging). Didn't get home until after 8 last night and still needed to feed the troops dinner. Fortunately, Nonie had packed leftovers from the weekend to send with us, and by 9 the troops rolled into bed. Today we are attempting to catch up on laundry and continue the march through clothes, and just enjoying the gorgeous weather before the storms and the cold front move in. Life is good!

Not enough sleep

I am definitely suffering from not enough sleep. I don't really feel like I've slept well in weeks. That's really nothing new for me, but normally on Saturday I can catch up. We are currently at my in-laws. I never sleep particularly well here. First, it isn't my own bed, and secondly, as a mother, I worry about what the kids are up to when they AREN'T sleeping. None of the kids fell asleep before we arrived last night, and it was after 10 before they went to bed. Since there had been some late nights all around this week, I thought that SURELY they would sleep in. Of course they would (can you sense the begging and desperation?). Nope. Up earlier than normal! Needless to say, we are dealing with some very unpleasant children around here today. As I explained to my mother-in-law, today is a day when I'm not ashamed to admit I'm looking forward to bedtime...both the kids' and mine!

Star Student

Our little guy is the Star Student this week in kindergarten. It's been fun watching him feel so special throughout the course of the week. We sent in pictures on Monday, and this afternoon his dad and I get to go in and read his favorite book to the class. It worked out perfectly, with my wonderful husband being on break this week and getting to go along for this. He got to be there for JR four years ago, and I was there with JC two years ago, so it's worked out pretty evenly in that regard. I just can't believe how much he's grown up this year...I think all of them grow up every day and come home from school each day a little older!