The Fog of the past 6 months

So I remembered yesterday, oh yeah, I started a blog-thing last June. Hadn't touched it since. I couldn't even remember my google login information. So much for capturing my life before I forget it. Hard to do when you forget about the blog that's supposed to capture your memories and experiences for you.

Anyway, I think ultimately the feeling I've had for the past 6 months is that I am perpetually running behind. Life is so busy, that we don't have enough time to take a step back and enjoy what we're experiencing. My son played on the Little League All Star team and although they didn't go past the District tournament, he went farther this year than in years past. That was exciting, and exhausting. Baseball didn't wrap up for until well into July.

The next thing we knew, it was August, and we were shipping the kids off to Grandma and Grandpa's for a week, but we had screwed up the timing and it didn't align with our already planned vacation, so we were rushing around and most decidedly NOT relaxing. My husband celebrated his 40th birthday with a whole lot less fanfare than I had originally wanted to provide, although he did have lobster for 4 days straight. That's not to say we didn't have a nice time, because we did, but it was low-key. Probably better given the hectic lives we lead.

We did manage to get in two nice boat trips this summer. We went off to St. Michaels for an overnight when the kids went north, and then as a family, we hopped over to Knapps Narrows for a night (part of the beginning of the birthday celebration). We did also learn that the five of us who originally slept on the boat 5 years ago now take up a lot more space, and it was a "cozy" experience. We even had a couple of sailing trips where we were running away from a thunder storm and heeling quite a bit. The smile on Brian's face was hard to miss, although the glimmer off my white knuckles as I held on hoping we wouldn't have to fish the kids out of the bay was blinding.

We jumped right into Fall, and Hayes started middle school (ack!) which presented him, and us, a whole new set of challenges. Still being one who can't sit still, he played Babe Ruth baseball and Sunday Lacrosse. It was a refreshing experience for all of us as Hayes transitioned well to the big field and his team had a winning season (9-2). Dylan played Little League and Brian managed his team. They had a fun, if not a winning, season. Brian teamed up with Joe, who is a most excellent coach and is great with the kids. Quinn gave soccer another try and really enjoyed playing on a team where almost all of the girls are in her school. The Kings Park bonding was very cute. She had a blast and learned a lot. Quinn also started her first year on the competitive gymnastics team. That's an extra two-hour workout per week, but she's adjusted fine. She loves the gym and has a great time with her level 3 teammates. They had their first meet a couple of weeks ago and it took us about an hour to get her hair just right (i.e., slicked back helmet hair that doesn't move out of place).

The kids took a break from Tae kwon do, but we're looking to get them back into it this spring, AFTER Hayes' Bar Mitzvah! Dylan has a role in the school play, Beauty and the Beast. He plays Maurice, Belle's father. He's perfect! Although, he has been growing his hair out so we can spray it gray, rather than have to wear a wig. It takes a lot of restraint to not break out the scissors and snip snip snip away.

Brian's been busier than ever which is most excellent, however, trying to juggle being the Dad at home to greet the kids and truck them to and fro to the activities mentioned above, and working from home has been frazzling to say the least. Throw in a couple of holidays, like Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas and New Years, oh and also shift from fall sports to winter basketball for all three, it makes you just want to run. We could both use a vacation!

But we're here. Progress! We've been working on clearing out the house so it's presentable when family and friends to gather and celebrate the aforementioned Bar Mitzvah, and I dare say, we should have bought stock in The Container Store BEFORE we purchased nearly their entire collection of elfa organizational systems. But, we're getting there. After 3 years, the boys room looks like a boys room, and Quinn is organized too. Now we're just down to the basement, and our room. Personally, I'd like to know how our clothes multiply like bunnies, but I suppose that's a topic for another discussion.

Looking forward to the next 6 months . . .