Hall of Fame! and parenting musings

When I only blog once every few weeks, there is so much to write about, and I know I can’t avoid leaving things out - but Steve’s Hall of Fame ceremony was unforgettable and I want to get it down first. Last weekend (for the third weekend in a row for the boys), we made for Bowmanville on Friday afternoon and were all ready and rested up for the big night on Saturday. The ceremony was at the Garnett B. Rickard Rec Centre and included those big search lights outside (the kids loved that), a red carpet, and a huge display for each inductee. Everyone dressed up, and there were two tables full of people to celebrate and support Steve. After some milling about, the inductees were escorted into the room with bagpipes (!); then there were some short welcomes, a long-ish dinner, and then… the speeches! Steve was the first to follow the keynote speaker, and he did an AMAZING job! He talked about his influential coaches growing up (Hugh and Michelle) and his parents (and family) and how they supported him throughout his career - and he cracked more than a few jokes that had everyone giggling. Steve stayed on schedule but not everyone before him did, but despite the lateness and all of the grown-up things going on around them, the kids were SO so so well behaved. We brought some books and colouring stuff - which Alana and Jordan used, and Aunt sat at our table, which everyone loved! I took the kids home after Steve’s speech and came back to catch the very end of the evening - photos and some mingling, and then Steve and I took advantage of the babysitters and went to Boston Pizza for a drink. Steve brought home a cool (huge) sketch of himself and a framed recognition of his induction; his induction plaque will be up on the wall in the Garnett B. Rickard Rec Centre in the next few weeks. Some photos…

The only other thing I’ll write about this time is the parenting challenges I’m currently facing. It’s been a while since I’ve written about anything other than the details of recent days and weeks; I used to write about holidays and special events (this makes me think of some of my Russia posts), and usually social media (blogs included - maybe?) portrays the positive - not the negative or hard parts of life. So, here’s what’s tough about parenting for me right now: 

1. The lack of sleep. Even though the kids are a bit older (almost 8, 6 and 2 1/2), at least one of them will wake me up at least once every night - and if it were just one kid and just one wake-up, I'd consider it a great night. Last night I was out of bed SIX times, and the night before three or four. I wonder when I'll get to go to bed at night and wake up in the morning... ever?
2. Unless the kids are watching TV or playing a game on the iPad, there is always someone making a demand or needing help solving a problem - literally always. Sometimes the problem or demand is small, but usually it is medium or large or extra-large, and it is so constant and so challenging, especially with the lack of sleep, the demands of the house, and school. I know that this means we're involved as parents, that we are valuing interactions with them and helping them develop abilities to solve their own problems instead of just using technology as a babysitter... but it's exhausting, and so hard to stay patient and calm.

I know that the days are long and the years are short - time flies. But these days the days are extra long (and the nights extra short); maybe I should use a few more of those hours for myself, and to acknowledge how grateful I am to have my kids in my life even if it’s more than full time. Thanks for reading!