The Crazies!

While typically my blog posts focus on book reviews, I'm interrupting our usual programming to offer a brief glimpse into other aspects of life. We have hit that time of the year known as "The Crazies!" This time of the year is brought about by the schedules of a variety of activities all coming to a frenzy at once. This event doesn't happen often but when it does we are in full tilt running mode. My blog break this evening comes during my only evening at home in two weeks. So why this sudden hit of the crazies? Here are the pieces as they have occurred and are continuing to occur.

Chicago day trip: Friday, April 8 was our anniversary. We decided to take a whirlwind trip to Chicago with our children to see the Van Gogh exhibit. We really wanted to see this special exhibit and discovered this was the only day that would fit into our schedules before the exhibit closes on May 10. So, while celebrating our anniversary with children in tow wasn't ideal, they enjoyed getting a day off school. It was great fun and we enjoy going to Chicago but also enjoy coming home.

Public Presentations Contest: On Saturday, April 9 both children participated in the public presentations contest at our local 4-H office. When we sign up for projects in the fall, they are excited about doing them. However, in reality, the presentations were being pulled together while enroute to Chicago on Friday but went fairly well.

Talent Show: On Sunday, April 10 both children participated in a talent show sponsored by our 3 county 4-H unit. One recapped her vocal solo from her contest in March and the other recapped his public presentation, a comedy routine, from the day before.

Music Festival: Thursday, April 14 was the county music festival where one child participated in the county chorus. The concert was a lovely presentation by junior high students from around our county. A lovely side benefit was being home before 8 p.m.

Hippology/Horse Bowl: Saturday and Sunday, April 15-16 was the state 4-H hippology and horse bowl competition. For the past two years I have "coached" or more accurately organized our county team for this competition. It includes a one day regional competition in March followed by a two day competition in April. All three days involve getting up at the crack of dawn to travel and then long days of competition. We were pleased with our results, particularly that our junior team placed 4th in the state, and we had a good time.

Robotics: This year I am working with our new county 4-H robotics spin club. We have been preparing for our first state competition which is scheduled for Saturday, April 23. Every spare evening for the last two weeks when the building has been available has been spent working on our LEGO Mindstorm robots and getting the fine tuning completed for that event. It will be great fun for all but involves another long day of travel and competition.

Choir Tour: Our children also participate in church choir. The 5th and 6th grade choir take a short overnight choir tour to another church before presenting their home choir concert. This helps them get used to traveling on tour in a low key way. Choir tour however is scheduled for April 23 and 24 which is also robotics competition! So, my son and I are joining the choir members at the hotel Saturday evening before Sunday's morning choir performance in another town followed by a home concert at 4 p.m.

Recital: Sunday, April 24 is also my daughter's voice recital back in our hometown at 2 p.m. But I'm in another town almost two hours away for choir performance that morning. Thankfully, since I'll be in my own vehicle due to robotics on Saturday, I've arranged to leave as soon as the choir is finished that morning so that I can make it to the 2 p.m. voice recital which will finish just in time for the 4 p.m. choir performance.

I predict at 6 p.m. Sunday, I will collapse in bed!