Summer kids' ball is upon us, and the season is in full swing. We have three ball players this year, plus our oldest is in the thick of rehearsals for an upcoming musical. What this translates to is this: getting four children to four different events at four different locations, all at the same time, or similar times with only two licensed drivers. Since everyone is lucky enough to have at least two, sometimes three, games per week, We get to do "ball game chaos" sometimes as much as three out of five days. "Ball game chaos" looks something like this:
9am-Me telling children about evening plans and asking everyone to gather items needed, such as hats, jerseys, gloves, balls, bats, shoes, etc. so that we are all ready for said activities tonight.
9am-4:45pm (every 10-15 minutes)--Kids asking: What time is my game this evening? Is it is going to rain? (we've had some rain delays and cancellations as of late--due to the flooding in the heartland) Is it our turn to bring snacks? What is the snack going to be? What time is Dad coming home? Who is driving what kid to which game? Does the oldest child have to come watch the others? How is she getting to play rehearsal?
4:45pm--Me frantically digging in cabinets for something quick to feed everyone for supper before we have to leave. I guess it will be quesadillas for the third night in a row (glorified grilled cheese sandwiches). General complaining about the lack of originality with dinner options.
5:00pm--Me instructing kids to get ready for much anticipated and long-talked about games--I am sick of the word "baseball" at this point.
5:20pm--Call from Hubby who has gotten tied up at work and hasn't left the office, yet. It will be 1 hour before he is home. One child has game out of town and needs to be pulling out of the driveway in 45 minutes.
6:00pm--Me and oldest child trying to clean kitchen from dinner--and lunch--and breakfast, and not having much luck. While walking through another area of the house, I notice kids playing PS2. One has jersey, hat, and pants on--no socks, no shoes. The other has pants, hat, shoes, and socks, but no jersey. I calmly inquire (this is a loose term that basically means there was no physical violence) why we are not dressed, yet, to which my sons sweetly reply that they can't find the missing items in question. They have been missing since 9 this morning. This is, of course, the first I have heard of this.
6:05pm--Mad dash of taking everything out of drawers, throwing piles of laundry places while the children accuse "Someone" (who is the 5th child around here that I never see) of moving, taking, hiding, and/or destroying their "stuff."
6:15pm--Everyone is dressed and ready to go. House looks like the Tasmanian Devil has been through. I frantically close blinds and turn off all lights and hope no one comes to the door and peers through the glass while we are gone.
6:20pm--Three children are loaded into family car--son with out of town game is instructed to sit on porch, with cell phone in hand and wait for Daddy to come home. I jump in car--as I am ready to back out of driveway, Hubby pulls in behind me. I get out of car and quickly re-introduce myself to him.
"Hi! My name is Casey. I think we knew each other before baseball season started. We have talked on the phone several times, but it is great to finally see you in person! We should get together sometime and have a cup of coffee."
"Sure!" he replies. "How does the end of July sound? Oh, and Honey?? What's for dinner?"
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