Is it wrong?

Is it wrong that I can't wait until basketball season is over? Is it wrong that I CAN wait until track season starts? I believe we may actually have about 2, maybe 3 weeks from the time the buzzer signals the end of the last basketball game until the first day of track tryouts. And naturally, because I birthed two athletic babies, they have to tryout. 15 is a hurdler and 13 runs the 400 and throws shot and discus. I drive. A lot.  With my husband's daily commute, the onus is on me to get everyone from point A to point B while holding down a full time job. My favorite thing (not) to hear is "Why weren't you here to watch me??" Is it wrong that I just can't do it all? Don't get me wrong. In an absolutely perfect world I'd be at every meet, every race, every game. But sadly, it's not a perfect world.

I LOVE watching my kids play, compete, perform, etc. If I had the means and the ability, I'd be there every single time. But it's just not possible. I just can't be there for every single event. Jesus, I have no idea HOW people with more than 2 kids do it! At the beginning of each season, I love seeing the excited look on their faces, the newness, the anticipation of diving head first into the sport. But by the last full week of games, it is I who cannot wait for it all to be over. I sigh the biggest sigh of relief that it's over and I can relax (temporarily) because that was the last thing on the schedule (for now).

Is that wrong? Is it wrong that I just am tickled at the idea of driving home from work and NOT having to go back out to pick one up from practice or rush home to feed the dogs before heading back out into the night to another game? I am so psyched at the idea of actually sitting down to a family dinner in the evening, one where all four of us are at the table! And no one has to rush out for anything (other than maybe ice cream from the store, I'm always excited about ice cream).

I'm sure some mom, somewhere, will read this and think: "I just want my children to be happy and I'm more than willing to bend over backwards to make them that way." That mother is obviously a crack whore with no concept of reality. Because the reality of it is, yes, we ALL want the best for our children, but at what price? We have a sit down meal where we are all at the table, probably twice a month. Three times if we're lucky. The rest of the month, we're running around, practice here, game here, sleepover there, party over yonder. Is this what I had in mind when I thought about having kids? No flipping way.

Would I trade it for all the chocolate at Hershey? Not for a second. I love my kids and I love that they are active and I'm so blessed that they are healthy and able. They stay busy and for the most part, they stay out of trouble. And while it's a pain in the butt being responsible for juggling their schedules, I wouldn't give it up for anything. Yes, I'll kvetch about how hard it is and how tired I am. But in the end, it is worth it.

I say that because I stopped at 2 kids. Had I had a gaggle, a flock or a herd, I would probably be singing a different tune.