We’re still a few weeks from Labor Day, but here in Tennessee, school is already back in session, and I realized this morning we probably won’t have any more lazy Saturdays for a while.
Thing 1 (the 10-year-old) is starting softball, and Thing 2 (the 4-year-old) is about to start soccer.
Softball practices at least once during the week and on Friday nights and plays on Saturday afternoons, usually.
Her team, though, competes with teams from all over the county. Most of her games will be close to home, but some of the games will be out in the country somewhere.
Couple times last season, it took about an hour to get to the park. Luckily, it was next to a Sonic, so the girls didn’t complain too much about the drive.
Thing 2 practices during the week and plays on Saturday mornings at the YMCA soccer fields over by Target.
What’s interesting is that Thing 2′s soccer coach has asked Thing 1 to be one of his assistants, and Thing 1 said yes.
I don’t know why, because she fights with her brother constantly, but Thing 1 is great with little kids, and little kids really love her. If she wants to, she’ll be a good coach herself someday.
So, we’re doing not much today. Thing 1 and Mama are running around, looking for softball cleats and, I suspect, swinging by Dunkin Donuts. Thing 2 has been playing all morning with the Joker’s hideout I, um, brought him after my trip to Richmond.
Just now, though, he said he was getting bored. I told him to enjoy the feeling. He gave me a blank look, so I’m going downstairs to play Batman with him.
I remember those days. Seemed like I’d never have a lazy Saturday ever again. And then, whoosh, they were over. It took awhile to get out of the habit of just driving by the ball field to feel like I was at home. The restraining order put an end to that. Just kidding on that last part. Enjoy!
Hey, Hippie! We definitely enjoy, but, man, we’re about to get busy!
Know what Hippie said? Yeah, what she said.
I’ve always admired the time parents of kids on those traveling teams commit to
Hey, omawarisan! It’s been interesting, going to some of these little communities, especially the time the referees called foul after foul on Thing 1′s basketball team but called barely any on the local team. It was pretty blatant, but, on the other hand, the drive out there was really nice, so there’s that.
We have Sonic near our soccer fields which is SO nice!
My oldest, Miss C, is 8 and just started her 9th season of soccer with HYSA. She loves it. My youngest tried one season and was pretty “meh” about it but she’s interested in gymastics.
The sad thing is even if the girls are with our parents for an overnight stay I STILL cannot sleep in on Saturdays! Bummer!
Hey, Jamie! Glad you stopped by! Yeah, my internal alarm is the same way. I’m up at 6 or 6:30, no matter what. If I’m up late on Friday, I might be able to sleep until 7 or 7:30, and that feels so decadent.
Like someone said above, it’s over before you know it so enjoy! Nice post, Todd~
Thanks, Izzie!
Enjoy these days while you can, they grow up so fast in retrospect!
Will do!
I recently tried to pull a group of friends together for a dinner party. One of the couples said, in essence, “we’re busy with kids’ sports and social schedules and won’t be available until they both go off to college.” (Their kids are maybe 14 and 11.) I don’t have children and really thought I was being given a major have-a-nice-life blow off. Perhaps it wasn’t an exaggeration?? (My self-esteem could use that boost so, please, lie to me.)
Ha! I can’t speak for this couple, understand, but their excuse definitely passes the smell test!
They’ve got to haul the kids to practice (probably at different times and in different parts of town) and games (ditto), plus they’ve got to mow, do the laundry, help the kids with their homework, go grocery shopping, cook, clean up the kitchen and keep the house straightened up.
I guarantee you they’d love to get together with friends on a Saturday night and cook and drink beer and watch a movie or play music (although that last one may be more of a Nashville thing).
I know they’ve got a hectic schedule. This is definitely a music group, but not playing instruments as you probably mean. Rather, when this group gets together, we end up dancing, mostly to 80s music, but Love Shack brings about a certain frenzy.
Tin roof, rusted! (At least I think that’s what she says.)
I’m with you, Todd — fun to watch the sports and activities, but sometimes (and, for me, MOST times) a lazy Saturday is exactly what everyone needs. Here’s to a great season!
Thanks, AG. You know, if every Saturday was lazy, you’d get bored. When they’re rare, you really appreciate them. That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway!