Catching up

Its been too long since I last stopped by. So much has changed .....

One more week of summer ... Then back to the grind - juggling the kids activities and a full-time job on top of it. I am not sure how I feel about all the changes. I know it is going to be a challenge for me as I have always been there for the kids - front row center for every game and every practice. I know that the reality of what is to come - it will be impossible for me to do it all and honestly it makes me sad. Being at every game and every performance has always meant the world to me - so missing them almost seems like a failure. For me this will be a new thing for me - taking a step back and knowing its ok if I am not there 100% of the time. Sigh .... Ok I know it's going to be rough - so try to be patient with me.

What has changed ... I have a teenage driver. That in itself is nuts. I have no patience to teach Ashley to drive I have learned. I have also learned that I need to relax while she is driving and to keep my comments to a minimum - such as "Ashley there is a mailbox on the right - try not to hit it" or "Ashley, good lord, don't kill me" etc ... No actually she did really well and hasn't hit anything or anyone.

As crazy as Ashley is I am super proud of her. Juggling two soccer teams, travel on the weekends to games and keeping up her grades - I can put up with her learning how to drive.  She got her schedule for next semester and she is in all honors classes including math - which for her is a huge accomplishment.  10th grade will be hard with all honors classes along with soccer and taking Latin 2 online - but I know she can do it. 

Tommy will be starting 6th grade in a week and it's rather crazy to think I will have 1 kid in high school, 1 in middle and 1 in elementary school. Thank god they all attend the same school. I couldn't imagine trying to get each one to a different school every morning. Tommy is real excited about it and is happy his best buddies are in the same classes. 

The other big change that was the hardest was for Cailin - changing gyms.  After weeks of careful consideration and tears, Cailin decided she was ready for a change. After last season in cheer she didn't want to be the oldest on a younger team or the youngest on an older team.  Work and getting her to cheer also factored into the decision as if I work until 6 how could I get her to cheer at 5 if Tim is working until after 7.  So far Cailin loves her team - loves being with a group of girls that are her age and go to school with her. It's a big deal. I do miss my cheer moms - there aren't any at the new gym that can come close to those group of women. They are the best. 

I am looking forward to what the new school year will bring - New adventures and new friends.  Until next time ...