soccer mom (ETC)

I think I've already mentioned that four of the five children are on soccer teams right now. Baby decided to sit the season out. Thankfully, Shug and Punkin are on the same team. That simplifies the schedule immensely. And this is rec soccer... no traveling. That's huge. It's all teams from within our city league. Lower key, but still fun and great for the kids.

Soccer mom. Posing like a cheeseball in my folding chair on the sidelines. Photo courtesy of Punkin, age 7. That's my ride right behind my head.

Swagger.

It doubles as a tent on rainy game days. (This was fun... at first.)

Sam is all about the games. Rain or shine, man. I watch, too. I do. I just watch a little less... intently. And less... in the rain. Half the time I'm wrangling the other kids. I have a general idea of the score. I try to watch my own kiddos bouncing around on the field. But, I don't really have a good handle on the actual rules or strategy of soccer. Not really a sports person.

But I love my kids.

Sam loves his kids, too, of course. Bonus for him that he is totally into soccer for soccer's sake.

I get distracted and start playing with my iPhone. Wake up, Baby!

From time to time, I look around and figure out what's going on. You know, yell out a "good job" or "woo hoo!". Like I'm all engaged.

I love that they love it.

And I love them.

(Awwwwwwww.)

True to Soccer Mom Form, I keep a big blanket in the back of the van, water bottles, and peanut butter cheese crackers. Especially for my boy. The first few soccer days, I didn't have enough food stashed away. Soccer Mom Novice Alert. Dude had total meltdowns on the way home more than once. Complete spazzo city. This child needs food when he needs food.

He's a different boy with a little sumpin sumpin in his tummy.

Last night, Dude had a game (undefeated so far!) and Shug and SweetP had practice. Tonight, Punkin has a game. Friday night = no games! So, Sam and I are going out for sushi. My sister's baby is almost 8 weeks old now, and she's ready to start date night swapping again. Hallelujah to that one. Saturday... four games. Starting bright and early at the fields by 8:30am.

It's all been worth the hustle and bustle so far. But, maybe you can help me out. I have had two scheduling issues since the season began that we're still working through. Our practices/games usually start at 5:45pm or 6. This will be our schedule until the beginning of June. I would really, really like to still eat dinner as a family at least most nights, but Sam just can't get home before these times. So far, I've been giving the kids really big snacks before we leave the house and then trying to have a quick idea for dinner to eat all together when we get home... it's pushing 7:30 some nights. The most successful dinners so far have been a baked potato bar, chicken salad with cut up fresh fruit and veggies, and Mexican chicken that cooked while we were gone and then I shredded it and we had chicken soft tacos. BUT - I'm usually hurting for ideas. Calling all soccer moms... and volleyball moms, and basketball moms, and track moms, etc. How do you do family dinners in the midst of your children's sports seasons?

And, the second dilemma is, how on earth do you get to the grocery store when every evening is full??? This has been an unexpected glitch for us. By the time we get home, eat, and get the kids in bed, it's around 9. It's dark by then, and I'm not really into going to the grocery alone at night. As I type this, Sam is going for me. He's at the grocery store at 10:45pm. Saturday is booked up tight. Not sure there's a better way, but if y'all have ideas, let me hear 'em!

That's all. Thanks for stopping by! Linking up with Emily :)