Sporty Kids…

Currently, our daily schedule is ruled by soccer!  My husband, Kyle, has a game each week, Connar has two practices and a game each week, Aiden has one practice and a game each week and I am his team’s coach .  For 8 weeks, spring and fall, we’re all about soccer!

While it’s so much fun, the season also takes quite a bit of organization.  Kyle’s games are on Sundays and he can keep track of his own gear…so I leave him to his own devices.  (Though I did sew patches on his new gear bag!)  The boys both have string backpacks stored in the laundry room.  During the season they keep their shin guards, shoes and soccer balls in the bags…ready to go.  Connar also keeps his inhaler and goalie jersey in his backpack.  I also keep the goals, cones, whistle and other gear I need for coaching in my trunk for the whole season.  This way we’re not searching through the house / garage before practice. 

With Connar playing for a club team this year, I have also worked out carpools to practice with other moms.  Happily, this spring I drive on Mondays and coach Aiden’s team on Wednesdays, when another mom drives. 

It’s all worth it on game days…the kids are so proud of themselves and have so much fun on the field.   And on Sunday’s – we love cheering on Kyle’s team too!

How do you organize your family for sports?

Back to Work...

The first day back-to-work after a vacation is always tough. I leave before the boys are up in the morning, and while I blow kisses over their sleeping heads, it's not the same as the week of snuggling on the couch with Sponge Bob as they wake up. I love hanging out with my boys!

The good thing about work today was the busy pace...as I set my calendar for the week (and month) and got projects organized. There were lots of emails waiting and details that needed tending. In fact the day went more smoothly than many first days back. (Other than the lunch time conversation in which four moms-who-work fantasized about being stay-at-home-moms!)

Calendars: The first of the month - and a return to school from vacation - always triggers a reminder to sort my calendars. I keep three...I know it sounds excessive, but it works for me. In my kitchen is the monthly family calendar...sports events, doctors appointments, school activities...these are all posted on the family calendar. At school I have my work calendar. I like to keep a pencil / paper calendar because I have a variety of appointments and "To-Do's" each day. I also track projects I am working on during the day. This actually turns into more of a diary, as I am required to log my hours as an Instructional Coach. Finally, we have calendar #3...my phone. This is my bridge calendar and I enter actitivities / appointments that bridge my Family calendar and my School calendar. I make sure my calendars are in sync every Sunday evening.

How do you keep yourself, your job and your family organized?

I love Holidays…

I love a chance for family to get together…laugh, chat and eat of course.  When I was growing up, it was my Gram’s house where we all gathered.  Now, more and more it’s becoming my house.  I love to host a family party!  

Before the party got started my own boys had to track down their cleverly hidden eggs!  Each egg came with a clue to find the next egg.  It’s great fun that Aiden is a reader now…he read and figured out all his clues.  The cats also helped us decorate Easter eggs this morning. Frankly, I am surprised they didn’t decorate themselves.

 

The kids prefer to sit at a “kids table” and today without a formal adults table everyone relaxed in the kitchen and living room together.    One of the best parts of the day was a chance for me to take some pictures of my Gram with her four great-grandkids.

  What are your favorite memories of family holidays?  How did you celebrate today?

Getting Crafty…

As I have mentioned, it’s Spring Vacation, so today was craft day!  My friend, Tessa and her kids came over…the boys played and the girls crafted.  Amid video games, basketball (and a rescue pick-up to the skate park during a hail storm) Tessa and I created the cutest picture holders.

We were  inspired by a project at How Does She and had fun incorporating our own twist. 

 

Aren’t they great?  It’s hard to see the printing on the blocks, the bottom block reads, “My Favorite Things” and my stacking blocks say, “Snow Boarding”, “Skate Boarding”, “Soccer” and “Brothers”.  We twisted wire into picture holders and drilled holes in the block for support.  Tessa’s is on the left and mine is on the right.  I had a few blocks left over from the 2x4, and the one in the middle is a birthday gift.  It’s a perfect project to do with friends because it makes a huge mess, but you can walk away to take care of kids – or make lunch – and easily step right back in.  Thanks to the ladies at How Does She for a fun, crafty afternoon!

April Fool's Day

I am not a good practical joker. I laugh, I blow the joke, I can't think of anything appropriate...I prefer to enjoy pranks vicariously through my husband (who is excellent at practical jokes!) Today however, I had a good one.

Background: My husband as a firefighter works 24-hour shifts, with one on and three off. When he works during the school week, I take my kids to work with me the morning he gets off work. He picks them up at my school and takes them to their own schools. This breaks down to one morning a week that the kids have to get up early to leave with me. This is not their favorite morning of the week.

Today: It's Spring Break...kids don't have school! My husband was at work though so when I got home from the gym, I showered and got dressed as if I were leaving for work. Then I woke up the kids telling them we had to leave for my school. (Ha, Ha) My oldest is pretty savvy, he knew right off. So I said "April Fools" kissed him and he went back to sleep. My youngest is 6. He moaned and groaned, got up and dressed. When I met him downstairs he had his backpack ready and was getting shoes on. It wasn't until he realized that Connar was still in bed, and I didn't seem to care, that he knew something was up. When I said, "April Fool" he was stunned, surprised and then laughed. What a good sport! I took him to our local bakery for his favorite muffin as a treat for being a good sport.

What's your best April Fool's Joke? Post a comment and share your prank!