It's That Time of the Year

Some people are watching American Idol, some are glued to March Maddness, some to Biggest Loser,

but me and my girls are into musicals, of the high school variety.

Here is our high school's performance of "Give My Regards to Broadway".

I have to admit that I was cringing pretty hard during the first act, but things started to pick up after that and they really pulled it off.  It was a cute story and they really sang their hearts out.

My girls loved it, of course, and it was so nice to get out with just them.  

Can I tell you something?  I miss these girls.  I feel like I never get to hang out with them anymore.  We jump up in the morning and whisk them off to school.  Then after school its a whirl of piano practice and homework and dinner, all the while my two littlest are hanging on my legs whining their loudest whines.    How the heck am I supposed to get to them all?

I love helping Ellie with her math homework. She's on fractions and I love fractions! I am so proud to hear Emma belt out another tune on the piano.  I need to read to her and hear her read to me.  I want to ask them about their day and find out about their friends.  I want to cook with them and paint toenails with them.  I want to do crafts with them and teach them how to throw and catch a softball.  I want to play tennis with them and go on bike rides with them.  But I haven't figured out how to do many of those things with our two toddlers around.

So instead, I am promoting independence in my oldest two.  If I can't come right away to help them solve a difficult homework problem, they get a chance to wriggle it our of their own minds.  If I am not directly over the shoulder of my Emma when she makes a mistake on the piano, she will learn to hear and recognize them herself.  As they read to each other, their minds will grow and so will their friendship.  Snack time is more imaginative than ever when they are in charge of putting it together.  Their good friends behind us are really good at softball, maybe thats how Ellie will finally learn to catch. So after all, maybe its not ME who is supposed to get to everything.

At least thats what I am telling myself these days.

This post by CloverMom tells her story of having both big and little kids.
And a little pep talk by our President Uchtdorf always brightens the day.