Setting down a few spinning plates

Too much. That's how we've been feeling about our time spent at various activities. They are all good things, absolutely, and worthwhile, but it has been too much time in the car and too much overlap and too much rushing to get ready and really just too much.

The boy has soccer twice a week back in our pre-move location, which makes for quite the drive. He has also been taking part in an excellent basic economics class where the group runs their own pseudo-town for a few weeks. As that was winding down, the preschooler began some much-coveted skating lessons twice a week, the beginning of the path to his dream of becoming a hockey player. He loves it and I, personally, love watching his older brother be bored out of his mind during each half-hour lesson. It's good character building, I figure, for him to be there in support of his little brother, who has spent his entire life being shuttled around to all of his older brother's activities.

But now the economics class has ended and the soccer season is winding down and skating only lasts a couple more weeks, and then we all just need a break. We'll be setting down a few spinning plates, worthy as they were for a time. Much like our days and our weeks, our years go through the familiar and comforting cycle of in and out, expand and contract, outward and inward. Right now is time for that drawing in portion of the cycle, and we're all looking forward to it.

I'm already breathing easier at the idea of being home more, unabashed homebody that I am. The boys are excited about having more opportunities to explore the park and the nature center near our new home. And baby girl, I expect, will appreciate spending less time strapped in her car seat and more time wandering around outdoors. The promise of spring ahead has all of us itchy for some renewed freedom and flexibility in our days, and I'm grateful that we can make that happen.

What sort of season do you find yourself in right now?