1 Mother 2 Another

It’s not even halfway through
November and my calendar for the REST OF THE YEAR is crammed. How
did this happen?


Oh, right. I had kids.

Let’s place most of the blame
squarely where it belongs – the Nutcracker. I tried to keep
Maddie out of it but she’s got this stupid trick called
“reading” and she saw on the audition notice that she
could do it if she was six years old. And it’s only an hour a
week – still not anywhere near the realm of playing a sport
– but I’m dreading the actual show week already.


Then we’ve got girl scouts going on this year, and the small
town parade that goes with it. Maddie and Cora both have school
Thanksgiving feasts that I have to either eat (yum, cafeteria food)
or cook for (since when did the Pilgrims have mac n cheese at their
feast?) this week. Tree-lighting ceremonies, caroling traditions,
neighborhood parties, school parties and book exchanges – oy
vey.


I’m a big Scrooge about starting Christmas early –
don’t EVEN wave a spruce branch at me before Thanksgiving
– but I have to admit I’ve begun compiling my Christmas
party to-do list, sorting through my holiday shopping ideas, and
sifting through my baking book. When the holidays do hit I want to
be able to enjoy them, not run myself ragged in between Nutcracker
rehearsals.


And compared to many people I run into, my family is decidedly low
on the commitment scale. How do families with several kids manage
to juggle all the karate and soccer and football and gymnastics and
still squeeze in some quality family time?


I don’t know either.