THE GRINSTEAD FAMILY

I'M BEAT

As I write this, I can't help but feel sorry for myself & admit that I'm beat...completely worn out! This is due to constantly being on the go and lack of sleep. I need a day off...I'm not sure how or when that will happen with how busy we keep our lives...I guess I can rest when the kids are moved out...maybe!!

One of the reasons why I'm so beat is my inability to say NO! When someone needs help with something, I can't say no...whether it is taking on an extra kid for the afternoon, a need for a volunteer for a project or something at work...I'm a sucker. Here's a great example from this week. I got a phone call asking me to co-chair the Teddy Bear Tea for Festival of Trees in November. I love the Teddy Bear Tea. Allie & I enjoy the entertainment, food, singing, Santa & of course the teddy bears...I love that event. Knowing full well that I have way too much on my plate in the fall, I still said YES!!
What?? Am I insane?? No, I just can't say no!!
I am already stressing about how I will be able to co-chair the Hansen carnival, be PTA secretary, continue on the Hansen fundraising committee, help with the PTA book fair, be the Popcorn Kernel for Scouts, lead Scout troops, get both kids to soccer games/practices, get Allie to dance, get Jake to football, get both kids to religion, get ready for Allie's dance recital, volunteer in my kid's classrooms, keep working at Hansen...This of course, doesn't include any meetings, playdates, parties, family commitments & so on. So let's add the Teddy Bear Tea...to my plate...DUH!!! Did I mention all of these events are from September to November???? No wonder I'm beat!

On a different note...things are quiet here this morning. Both kids had friends spend the night last night. Jake chose Paul & Allie chose Olivia. We took the crew to the OP for pizza and then came home to watch Alvin & the Chipmunks. All of the kids were asleep by 11:00 and they slept in until 7:00 this morning. Not bad. Scott was going mildly crazy...too much silliness and constant talking for him. He doesn't enjoy being around kids like I do, he is learning though!

Friday in the wee hours of the night, we got hit hard with thunderstorms. It rained 4.74 inches in less than 24 hours. Over 3 of those inches came overnight. So, I had scared kids in my room & then of course I couldn't sleep due to the thunder & HEAVY rain. Scott spent from 3-4 a.m. watching the pit of our sump pump...just to be sure that it didn't overflow. He said that the water kept rising & rising. He even bailed some bucketfuls out, just to be safe! In the end, we were lucky & didn't get any water in our basement, unlike many other people in the area. We did have a lake in our yard & a small river as well. Scott is looking into have some work done to the yard to take care of the standing water...it is just too close to the foundation for our comfort.

The kids were able to enjoy a couple of nice days early in the week. We even got in 2 of Allie's soccer games & a practice for Jake. So far, his game for today is still on. It will be the first one of the season since the other 2 were cancelled.

I took a half day personal day on Thursday to go with Allie's class to see Winnie the Pooh at the Children's Theatre. It was cute. I enjoyed getting to spend time with her class.

Talent Show auditions are pretty much over. Just a handful to see in the next week or so. Now we start the scheduling process. We have 52 acts for the K-3 day and 25 acts for the 4-6 day.

Next week brings Allie's last 2 soccer games, Jake's 2 soccer practices and one make up game and a regularly scheduled game too, Jake's last night of religion, Allie's dance class, volunteering in Allie's classroom, Talent Show practice for both kids, Godfather's night, fundraising meetings & kick off's and Beach Day at school.

The kids activities are set for summer. Jake is playing baseball, which will involve more games than in the past. Allie is playing softball. Both kids are taking swimming lessons this summer. Jake opted out of golf...says he'll play with his dad. Allie wanted to take golf lessons & I said she needed to get out with Dad first & see if she likes it! We will of course get waterpark passes again this summer.

I'll post some pictures after Jake's game today...if it doesn't get cancelled for the 3rd week in a row.