Juggling Plates

It's that time of the school year when schedules are abundantly full, and you are being pulled in all directions trying to get everything done.  With three teenagers this time of the year often feels to me like I am running back and forth juggling spinning plates on sticks, and if I don't keep up all the plates will come crashing down.  Spinning plates is a good description my life, because I frequently  feel like I have too much on my plate at one time.  

This past week, a stretch of bad weather derailed some of our planned events.  On Monday just as my kids were getting home from school, my phone alarm started going off.  I looked at the message to see that there was a tornado warning for our area.  We were a bit confused, because other than some rain, it did not look that bad out.  Just then the weatherman broke into the Ellen show to say that tornadic activity had been picked up by doppler radar. Kara panicked, and started grabbing all of her animals to take to the basement. I saw that we still had some time as the storm was at least  20 miles away, so I helped her.  I knew she would be extremely anxious if I made her leave them upstairs.  I also stressed to her that her safety came first, and there may come a time when we could not take them with us.   The warning was supposed to last until 4:15.  Kyle was counting down the minutes, because he was really hungry, and had not had his after school snack. He does not like to eat lunch at school, so he had not eaten since early in the morning.   Just as the warning was due to expire, my phone started going off again. It had been extended until 5:00 p.m. Kyle was not amused.  While we were in the basement we got a phone call from Kara's  dance teacher.  She was calling to let us know that all dance classes were going to be canceled for the night. I told her that was fine since we were in the basement, and were not planning to make it anyway.  We finally got the all clear around 5.  We found out later that two small tornadoes had touched down in the county, but there was no real damage.  We also found out that all of the kids still in school at the time of the warning, (mostly elementary) were sheltered in place and many did not get home until almost 6 p.m.  The very next day just as the kids were due to get out of school, another storm rolled in. I could see it from my deck, when it was right over the school. This time it was only a severe thunderstorm warning, and the kids were only sheltered in place an extra 10-15 minutes. The storm was fast moving, and did not cancel any of our evening plans.  

On Wednesday, I spent the evening trying to get the kids to catch  up on their homework.  Kyle has something called "Homework Avoidance Syndrome."  He tries everything he can to avoid doing it, even as far as running away.. While he has not taken off lately, he has been doing everything he can not do it, so the work is piling up. He is even doing extra chores without being asked instead of doing his work.  I really can't just let him face the natural consequences on this, because in his case homework really will affect his future. Recently we got back his Freshman level ACT scores, and we were blown away. He got an almost perfect overall score.  He actually had a perfect score in math and in science.  If he gets those scores on the official ACT, they are full scholarship worthy scores. He will not get those scholarships, however, if he barely passes because he does not want to do his homework.  If he would just do his homework and turn it in, he would easily have the grades needed to be considered for a scholarship.  I am sure you can understand my frustration.  I know his dislike of homework is Aspergers related as he has never liked homework, but it really did not matter as much as it does now in high school.  My girls have a lesser degree of this of this syndrome.  They have more "Homework Procrastination Syndrome."  Kristina is behind pace in all of her online classes, but being that this is her 6th semester and she has yet to be on pace, I know she will get it all done. Just a few more weeks, and will be homework free for a few months, and I can't wait.  

On Thursday, Kara had both a choir concert and the opening night of the all school Art show at the same time.  Her choir concert was a required part of her grade, so we had to miss the opening night of the art show.  Since it was going to be open for a few days, it worked out okay. Her entry is pictured above. We had the chance to go see it this weekend.  I love how she drew all of our cats past and present.  She also reminds us to "Keep Calm and Meow."  I am going to hang this on the wall when she can finally bring it home. 

On Friday, I took a day just for me.  My church was holding a women's conference, and this was the first time I was able to go.  I met up with my friends, and we had a great day of fellowship and learning. It was a a must needed break for me.   

Now it is back to Monday again, and it's time for more juggling..  On the Agenda this week; dance classes (it's getting close to recital and ballet production). trying to get ready for a neighborhood garage sale, preparing the garden for planting, and lots and lots of homework.

How about you..  Do you feel like you are juggling plates this time of  year too?