Keeping All the Balls in the Air

I've been looking at my calendar a lot lately. Mostly to check and make sure that I am not forgetting the next thing. One of my favorite things about May is that many things begin to come to an end...school and church activities, chorus, etc... but this year and for the past few years it seems to be a month of gearing up for even more GREAT things. While I love all the activity and it is so much fun for my kids, it is exhausting and I am finding myself running from one soccer practice to another t-ball game to yet another soccer game etc... I guess I am the picture of the typical soccer mom- minivan going non-stop, laundry in full swing to make sure the jerseys are clean, forgetting half the gear and making a lot of u-turns, throwing kids snacks and water bottles to keep them hydrated and nourished (wish I could say it was always homemade and healthy). All I can say is that I'm looking forward to a few days of nothing...maybe in July. In the meantime, I'll enjoy watching my kids play, cheer from the sidelines as I check my calendar to see what's next and remember that these days are fleeting and I'm thankful to have this crew to transport and nourish and love. I'll keep doing my absolute best to not miss the ball while I dream of July! Batter up!

Realization/Rude Awakening

When did IT happen? I don't even remember the exact day or time. But at some point recently(at least in the last ten years)something horrible happened to me. I became something I never wanted to be. As a little kid and even later, my favorite story EVER was Peter Pan. I loved the imaginary tales of fairies and lost boys and I longed to join them in Neverland. "Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning." I loved the movie Hook and knew I would never become one of "those" parents. Last night I watched Finding Neverland for the first time and other than renewing my admiration for Johnny Depp and crying my eyes out, I came to the horrific realization that I, in fact, have become what I have always wanted to avoid being. I am hoping it is not too late to turn back...I don't mind being an adult, but a Grown Up? Dreadful! I know the classic signs...telling the kids "just a minute" when I really mean "when i get around to it", doing the laundry or cleaning up for the zillionth time just to put off reading that same book AGAIN. And, one of the top ten words I use everyday is "inappropriate". Worse than anything, I have forgotten how to play. I know you are saying to yourself, "that will never happen to me." But, when was the last time you dropped everything to join in a game of tag or enjoyed doing more than the difficult task of just dressing the Barbies? When did you pretend that you were eating fake food and actually taste the thing you were eating? It has been far to long for me. I've given it a consorted effort today to play, and sadly it is not something that comes naturally to me anymore. I actually ended up cleaning the girls' bedroom instead of joining in the dollhouse fun with my three year old. I am planning to keep trying but I am living in fear that there is no turning back. Please let it not be so!