It Keeps You Running

I love that old Doobie Brothers song.  And that title lyric keeps going through my head lately.   It seems like I live in the van now!  In fact, although I am horribly embarrassed an ashamed to admit it, my greatest fear in life was to become a mini-van driving, juice box providing, playdate scheduling soccer mom. 

And as I pulled into Ty's shop on Monday morning for the obligatory oil change, I saw a soccer ball (or two!) roll across the floor.  That's when the reality sank in.  And I almost bawled my eyes out at having become the suburban stereotype!  It's official.  I drive a minivan, I buy the juice boxes in cases, and haul 3 of my 4 kids to soccer practice every week.  Saturday mornings no longer are for leisurely lying in bed until you feel like moving to the kitchen to make that first glorious pot of coffee and enjoy the paper.  Nope - you get up at the crack of dawn to make sure everyone has a good breakfast before their games.   You then sit and shiver in the early morning fog and dew while two 4-year olds  watch their shadows for half the game.  Then move on to the 6-year old's game that you don't get to watch because you are too busy chasing the 2 and 4 year olds all over heck and trying to keep them off the field!  Honestly?  I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Annika and Aelin went back to Little Panther's Preschool this year.  With one year already under their belts, they didn't have too much trouble adjusting.  After just one week they seem to be back in their old routine!   They haven't really said too much about it, but that's typical for them.  I have to drag the details out of them about what they did that day!  But so far, no tantrums and no real issues.  My sweeties are growing up!  Annika TAUGHT HERSELF how to ride her bike without training wheels and is a very accomplished whistler.  Aelin has become a regular dare-devil on the scooter and is constantly asking for a puppy or a kitten.   (Like we need a pet right now?)    

Next year will be very different around here.  Attie is already in school all day, but the twins will be in kindergarten every morning, and Andrew will be gone two mornings a week.  That   

means I'll have two mornings alone?  What on earth will I do?  Hmmmmm....  I can clean anytime.  Heck, I am "The Helpful Housewife" afterall, so adjusting my routine shouldn't be hard!  I think I'll take that time for me!  Maybe get in a really good biking session, or workout?  Instead of  waiting until naptime like I do now.  And then I can only go in the basement and hop on the treadmilll or lift weights.  No biking then...  In fact, at this moment, the kids are napping and I'm on the treadmill trying to write this post as I walk!  I've got the laptop propped up on the console, and it definitely isn't the easiest thing in the world to do.... 

 

Sorry for any typos there might be in here!!!!  A girl's gotta make her time work for her, at least so that something gets done in between trips in the mini van!

Comments

[Flossy]

Girl, I know exactly where you are coming from!
And despite the fact that my kids are teenagers now, it hasn't stopped yet!! I am still driving them to sports and training 4 -5 days a week for 8 months of the year!
When you get that time to yourself, do not - I repeat, DO NOT, spend it cleaning!! Definitely take some time out for you...

Your kids are still looking so sweet and gorgeous by the way :)