If you could go back and change a decision you made in the past, would you? This is a discussion I had with some of my coworkers a few days ago. One woman said she'd love to be eighteen and have her whole life ahead of her. She said she'd do thing a lot differently. Another woman just wished she finished her education. There's only one relatively big decision in my past that I question from time to time. I was offered a softball scholarship to a pretty big college out west and I turned it down. At the time, I didn't want to go that far away from home. Looking back on it, I ask myself why. Why didn't I at least take the chance? Why not try it out and see if I like it? But I didn't do any of those things...I simply said no. And while I could sit around and ask myself "what if" and wish I opened the door for opportunity when it knocked, I really don't. I only bring it up from time to time as something I could have done. However, if I had taken that path, my life would be totally different now and I know that. I met my husband during my freshman year in college...obviously that wouldn't have happened if I was 3000 miles away. We got marred when I was twenty-one...again that would never have happened. So if I never met my husband and we never got married, I wouldn't have the two great kids that I have. Maybe if I didn't have children, I would have more regrets about the path not taken, but as it stands I'm pretty happy with my life. I have great parents, a wonderful husband, and two kids I adore. Sure I'd love to win the lottery, but other than that, things are good.

The kids are only back to school a few weeks and my daughter already has a group project to do.  To all educators out there, I ask...do you do this to torture parents?

I understand the whole "they need to learn to work together" theory, but can't they do that during class time?

With these group efforts, if your child actually gets paired with someone who is interested in working on the project, you still have to mesh schedules so they can get together to get the job done.

This particular science project was assigned on Thursday and is due Tuesday.  The girls spoke on Thursday and planned what they were going to do, but as far as getting together, all members of the group aren't free to work on this project until Monday after school.  Let's hope everything goes smooth.

Group projects...just one of my little pet peeves.

After an action packed summer, the kids went back to school today.  Now I'm not one of those parents who jumps for joy when this time of year comes around.  In fact, I dread it.   I like the carefree days of summer...no homework, no after school club meetings, no uniforms to wash, no schedule to keep.  In the summer I wake up, jump in the shower, get myself ready, and head off to work.  Now I have to get the kids up and worry about what they're going to eat for breakfast before getting myself out the door.

It's definitely a transition.

Plus, my son is in eighth grade now.  This is it.  Next year, I will have a child in high school.  I mentioned how the thirteenth birthday hit me hard...imagine how the first day of high school will be.

It's funny.  When he was starting middle school, I was a nervous wreck.  And now, in what seems like the blink of any eye, he's almost done.   And of course, since my daughter is only a year younger, she'll follow right behind.

So I suppose I should enjoy my hectic mornings and crazy schedule...because in another blink of an eye, they'll be gone.

I have two kids and right now they're each involved in one activity each...so why am I on the run seven days a week?  I can't imagine how parents of larger families do it.

I'm happy that my kids are active and absolutely love watching them do whatever it is they're doing...right now it's baseball and softball...but a night off every once in a while would be great.

I'm just lucky that we don't have too many conflicts and either myself of my husband (if not both) are at every game they play.  I'd hate to think of my son or daughter out there playing without one of us cheering them on.

I was a pretty active kid, but I don't remember the pace being so frantic back then.  Maybe it's because now I'm the mom, the one carting everyone around, planning meals, and coordinating the schedule.  Of course, my mom didn't have a full-time job besides doing all this...maybe that's the difference.  She was home all day keeping our daily lives running smoothly, while I'm trying to do that in stolen moments of time.  Whatever the reason is, I just hope nothing falls through the cracks in our crazy schedule.  I hope the kids are getting the attention and structure they need...and I hope I keep my sanity through the process. ;0)

My son turns 13 today.  Why does this milestone throw my emotions into as much of a tailspin as the first day of kindergarten did?

He’s already taller than me, takes a size 12 shoe, and unless he slows it down, this may be the last year I can safely play catcher to his pitcher without full gear.  So it has not escaped my mommy-frazzled brain that he’s growing up.  But 13?  It’s so official.  So almost grown-up.

As any parent knows, watching them grow is bittersweet.  On one hand, it makes you proud to witness all their accomplishments, but on the other, it’s sad as they move into their own life and need you less and less.   But time stops for no one...especially not children, who seem to grow up when you blink.