Another school year almost down

As it is now the middle of May, we have entered the final stretch of the current school year. The kids are all anxious, the parents are not ready to lose the serenity of a quiet house, and things are starting to slow down.

Around here, we have four kiddos in school: a pair of freshmen (almost sophomore's) in high school, one getting ready to exit seventh grade, and one finalizing a second year in lower elementary. Our high school aged kids are completely opposite of what I was in school - absolute joiners. It's exciting, it's amazing, it makes us proud…..

It's flipping exhausting.

But that's a good thing.

Early in the school year for them is busy with theater, musicals, plays - all that stuff. Later in the school year it's band, orchestra and choir competitions. One does band, one does choir, they both do everything else. They perform well enough to go to regional and State competitions. They receive the highest scores in these competitions - including solos. They make us very proud parents.

The middle school kiddo is no slouch, either, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do when he's able to get back into band next year. We are hoping that he'll do more, though, as we know he loves to do other things - and can do them very well.

The youngest is our - quite possibly - most "normal" little one. He's our fifth kiddo and loves to play and is very imaginative. He loves to play soccer and isn't too bad, though there is a lot to learn when it comes to team sports. There are times when I feel that, just out of sheer volume (…of kids…) that I don't feel that I've done him the justice that he deserves. I don't feel that I've given him the attention that I gave the others. I feel that I've not been as patient with him as I should be. Being a parent is a challenge.

The Summer is going to fly by, I know. Theater performances. Summer camps. All the things to attempt to keep them busy will also keep us busy.

Then the next year will do the same.