Packing it all in...

We tend to be one busy family.  The kids both love their activities, and are often disappointed that we can't fit in more than we do.  But, yesterday was an example of why we don't try to do even one more thing.  Just for a point of reference the kids activities include:

Black Box community theater (rehearsal 2 nights a week - 4 shows a year)
Scouting -- both Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts
Soccer
Piano Lessons -- Erin
Church
After school church program -- Erin
School and school drama club

So yesterday was one of those days where everyone must have had their scheduling calendar highlighted as "let's plan this for today".

We are in the closing weekend of Annie with Black Box Players.  The whole family is involved in this and we are in 3 shows a weekend for 2 weekends.  Grandma and Grandpa W came down to visit for a late birthday celebration and to see Annie.  Friday night was a wonderful show but a late night.  Jeff fell asleep in the car on the ride home, but the excitement of hanging with Grandma and Grandpa was too much for Erin who didn't fall asleep before 11:30.

Saturday morning we awoke to rain and mist.  There was a soccer tournament scheduled for the morning and we wondered for a bit if it would be canceled, but the rain never really picked up and by 10:30 we were headed to the soccer fields.  In true tournament style our team rallied and played hard, winning our first 2 games!  That put us in the final of the tournament, scheduled to begin at 2:20.  Stage 2 of the day (piano recital) was slated to start at 3:40 about 50 minutes away.  The final began a few minutes early, and unfortunately our Gold Dragons were pretty spent and lost to a rested and well organized Red team.  Still, both Wallace Dragons played hard.  Jeff's goal saves in the first half were fantastic and Erin stepped into a defensive role (away from her usual wing position) in second half and created some havoc in the backfield.  By the end of the game both kids were completely spent and covered in mud from head to toe.

Taking a corner kick!

We quickly piled into the van and headed south to Erin's piano recital.  I'd thought ahead enough to pack her music and recital dress as well as a damp washcloth and towel so she could clean up in the car while we headed south.  We got to the recital right on time, and rushed downstairs to the bathroom to get changed and fix up her soccer hair.  (I did forget to pack other clothing for Tom, Jeff or I though so Jeff had to sit in his wet, muddy soccer clothes through the recital).  Erin played beautifully and confidently.  We were so proud of her at her first recital.

With her close friends after her recital!

Recital ended and we had just enough time to ask Siri for the location of the nearest restaurant to find a bite to eat.  Turned out to be a little Mexican joint with decent food and good service as well as good margaritas.   We wolfed down some food and rushed to call time for Annie.  As usual the 90 minutes before a show are hectic.  There are lots of people running around, little changes to be made, costumes to get into, pictures to take, etc...

Using her makeup kit to do her own stage makeup

My Apple seller.

Annie has been an awesome show, and Saturday night was no different.  The house was packed and the energy on stage was fabulous.  Afterwards we decided to head out for some pizza with some friends.  The poor kids were excited to go hang with friends, but crashed quickly.  It was after midnight when we left, and Erin was asleep




 in the car before we got 5 miles down the road.

It was a long, crazy and hectic day.  But I would trade a second of it for anything else.