Friday, August 05, 2011

{ The Summer Blur... }

Okay, I have to admit that when school got out for the kids I actually thought that things would slow down (enter laughter here).

I had big plans to do outings with the kids every other week.
I thought I would be able to get together with my girls and we could bang out some amazing summer crafts.

I also had the insane thought that we might be able to finish our office and laundry room, which have been torn apart for months.
Boy was I wrong!

I've decided that Summer Break with 5 kids is like giving birth.  You know that's it's going to be hard work & painful, but you forget about the work and pain after your sweet baby is in your arms.
Or in our case, when summer ends and the new school year begins.

Enter the Summer Blur. One of the main culprits this year is soccer.
We have 4 kids playing this year (all on different teams) yeah, yeah I know.
What were we thinking?
I'm a terrible parent, I never clicked any pictures of Jentry playing.... Sham on me, I think he's forgiven me though.
And the real kicker is when Addison is old enough she wants to play too.
5 playing soccer?!?
The thought alone makes me want to curl up in the fetal position in the shower and rock back & forth mumbling to myself. Oh wait, I already do that. 

So instead what I though would get done,
here is what we've been up to:

 Running to 9 games, 4 days a week.
3 kids with soccer practice in between games. 
Eating dinner @ 9pm instead of our regular 6 pm.
The 2 older boys had a substitute paper route for a couple weeks (never again).
Building Cluckinton Palace
She still needs: paint, doors, more roofing and a run. Please don't mind the construction mess.
I've started canning (again)
Super Saturday craft samples are being finished after changing my 2nd craft five times. Yes I have 2 crafts to teach. 
My little Daycare peanut Kendall comes M-F.
My husband is never home.
My house seems to always have some horrible hangover aka;
I have 6 kids everyday so my house is dirty syndrome.

Can you tell I'm ready for school to start?
I need to get back to our regularly scheduled program.

Don't get me wrong I love being with my kids but after the umpteenth fight/argument between the oldest 3.
 I'm ready for the sweet bliss of school filled days and homework nights.
(remind me of that last sentance when I'm yelling at my kids to get their homework done)
2010-2011 school morning picture from last year.
School starts in 24 days, not that I'm counting or anything.
If you made it through this long winded post, I'll bring you a jar of freshly made raspberry jam.



26 comments:

  1. Promise you'll bring me some jam? You don't even have to bring jam...just come visit! ;)

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  2. Love this post -- I can relate to so much of what you said...although I didn't even TRY to make the raspberry jam!! I have 3 kids and my mom (who can't be left alone) has been living with us for 6 months...it's been a crazy summer!! I keep saying I just want my "normal abnormal" back. (Darn, I think I live too far away to pick up my raspberry jam...lol)

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  3. I had 5 playing last year but this year I have 4 playing soccer and 1 playing high school football. The kids love it so I can't complain. Our houses sound very similar. I just wish that Paisley was actually old enough to play because she might be easier to watch at the soccer fields. We have already started school here. I really wish we hadn't. This time of year is the busiest for me. Soccer, Football, Room Mom, Early morning seminary, homework, dinner, etc. I can't wait for Christmas break :)

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  4. Hilarious!! I have never commented before, but I have been reading your blog for awhile. I feel the EXACT same way! Thanks for making me laugh out loud instead of cry...which is how I have been feeling for most of the day. :)

    www.themoesfamilyintexas.blogspot.com

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  5. .....believe it or not, I am truly convinced that someday, someday we will miss the chaos! So... I am determined to enjoy it while it's here! So if it makes you feel any better--you're not alone!! :) JoAnna

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  6. OK, I want the jam! It will go nicely with the homemade bread that my neighbor is bringing me in September because I am the TEACHER. Please don't wish these last few days of summer away too fast. I've needed the time to bond with my new grandbabies and play with the older grands. #1 starts kindergarden this year!!! -- Enjoy the last few days of summer and know that your kids new teachers are eager to spend time with them, just not for a week or two. :)

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  7. I want my jam! :)

    We start school here in GA on Aug 1st so we just finished up our first week and I have to admit, although I dreaded the start of school and homework, I am glad to be back in a routine!

    We start soccer tomorrow morning. Our first ever practice. I don't know how you keep up with it for 4 kids. You go Wonder Mama!

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  8. I am sad that school is starting so soon! I have loved having Caleb home and not having to run back and forth. I will hate having him gone all day but I guess that is what happens right?

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  9. I can so totally relate. I have 5 kids too, and chickens here in So. Cal. I now have just 2 in soccer instead of the 3 we used to have. 1 of my 5 is special needs with autism. I actually have 3 other special needs children besides my autistic guy, but theirs is way more manageable. So, I feel your pain! You are doing the best for your children. Their involvement in sports is a way to help them develop their talents. They wont remember the house hangover syndrome, but instrad will remember your sacrifice!! Our school starts on Monday, and we are not on a year round track! It's just part and parcel of living on the Left Coast! I will be doing the happy dance as I see their backpacks heading for the bus stop. I enjoy your blog! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  10. It's such a busy time of life for you but such a rewarding one later on when you realize you raised five wonderful people who you still want to be around! My baby (youngest of four) just graduated high school and is getting married next spring. That only leaves my boy who's coming home from a mission in Dec. to live at home. The time has flown by. I still don't have time to do all I want to do but I guess that's just life bz retired people tell me it gets even busier! I guess there's no rest in the future for me. I did daycare for nine years also so I understand how crazy your house must get. Hang in there and do something nice for yourself that first day of school! Maybe a no housework, mom time-type of day!

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  11. Too bad I live so far away, cuz I'd come and get jam from you. It looks fabulous. I know how you feel though, summer's high hopes turned out to be a flop, oh well. We have 17 days till school starts and I've been counting down the days. I can't wait especially since this year I have all 4 in school (at least for a half of a day) I'm going to party likes its. . . 2011. Good luck, I know you can make it, lol. BTW it's little Schmidt. For whatever reason I can't post under my google account, stupid blogger.

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  12. That is THE BEST description I've ever heard of summer vacation. :) We have 3 more days. I'm not counting or anything though...

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  13. I know you're sick of hearing this from me but...You'll miss it when you don't have to do it anymore. Well, you'll kind of miss it. OK you won't miss it THAT much. Anyway, try to hang in there. Mimi

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  14. Rachel, you can give my jam to my parents for me, Russ and Wendy Perry, and then they can give it to me when I see them again!! Thanks,

    from Trae

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  15. Oh so get this post. we have 4 in soccer on 4 teams and Hubby coaches one so that leaves ME to wrangle the other 3 teams/games/practices. Ive taken to freezing the summer fruit and canning once school starts up again.

    Shannon

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  16. I followed to your blog through a link where mine was, too. I love this last photo...must be the teacher in me.

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  17. I can understand the summer blur. It is amazing just how quickly it goes by. This year our summer has been filled with dr.'s appointments. I am happy that I was able to finally start painting our son's room. He's been waiting since last summer.

    Good luck to you.

    Ruth

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  18. Love this post! THE BEST description I've ever heard of summer vacation.

    affordable insurance

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  19. oh Rachel the whirlwind you choose to live:) don't know how you keep up. it was hard enough for me when my two youngest were both doing sports. take it from me, it seems impossible now, but when they're all gone you will miss it some. Mine aren't all gone just yet, but there are days I do miss the flurry. sometimes it makes me alittle lonesome. for those of us who have to go back to work , don't hurry away our last precious days of summer.(we still have projects to finish too!) I wish i was home that first day of school. I'd come kidnap you and take you for ice cream. Oh well I'll be plugging away with the kids at school. love your blog though! you always make me laugh.BTW I'll be looking for my jar of jam on sunday :)

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  20. So glad to hear this post. I've been feeling so guilty for looking forward to school starting. I'm like you though, I'm just ready to be on a schedule. It's tough having the husband gone all the time also. Mine just took a new job and doesn't get home until 7:30 every night, it's killing me.

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  21. summer has gone sooo fst....I am not sure I am ready for school..but than I only have one child to rofl. We went through la grande up through enterprise and joseph and I thought of you! Beautiful area you live in! hugs, cherry

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  22. Thanks for your comment. Ok, I just looked up what the fabric was that I used. It's Lily and Will by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda. I love the little necklaces that you made, do you think you will sell any in your etsy site?

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  23. Yes, I love the necklaces too! Will you please post directions for making them?! -Charlotte

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  24. I got thru it where's my jam??
    I really need to bookmark blogs again, i next to never read them since my puter crashed and i lost all my bookmarks. I love it you can. Wish i lived closer to have someone to do it with.
    Rebecca, too lazy to log into my account so posting as anon

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  25. oh, so funny. I haven't read people's blogs in so long. I've missed yours. Your posts always make me laugh. Your canned relish and jam looks so nice!

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