Fall is well underway in our household, as evidenced by the leaves being tracked into the porch after a busy day at school, darker early mornings and the shock of busy evenings.
There are extracurricular activities booked every night in our house, whether that is swimming lessons for child A and B or yoga for child C, ball practices, cross-country meets, music lessons, or volunteering with community groups.
The funny thing is, I wouldn’t change it for the world. The kids are all exploring their options, trying to discover their passions.
Each one is involved in one or two activities they enjoy, ways to develop skills and blow off steam. They go to bed happy and tired, and wake up refreshed and eager to start every day.
There is nothing like seeing smiles on the faces of children when they get to do something they love.
So I become a taxi service every night, carefully organizing and coordinating schedules (and sometimes calling in reinforcements in the form of Grandma and Grandpa or Aunty) to get everyone where they need to be, to allow them to experience everything they choose.
One of their favourite things to do is look through the recreation guide when it comes out, to see what kinds of classes they can take. From swimming to Zumba classes and sketching lessons, the kids enjoy branching out and trying new things.
I am proud of encouraging that attitude, fostering that ability to take a risk and discover and new skill or thrill.
There are some rules we live by in our house: be respectful, always love, don’t fight (or try really hard not to), follow your dreams, try your best in everything you do, be supportive and never quit.
And so we spend a lot of our free time watching amazing feats, cheering teams and driving.
A lot of my shoes are so embedded with red shale from sitting behind backstops they have been dedicated as “ball shoes.” There are “pool sandals,” worn to swimming lessons. The van is always packed with folding chairs and blankets in case of inclement weather at outdoor games, and bottles of water and small snacks for those nights we are on the go.
We make sacrifices, and every single moment spent on the road, in the gym or at the field is worth it when I get to see my beaming children after a ball game, an art class or a swimming lesson.
When my daughter strikes out a pitcher, it makes all those hours of squatting to catch her practice throws, and the sore muscles that result, worth it.
The pictures that have been made and framed for me on Mother’s Day after my oldest was inspired by her art classes are a daily reminder of her skill and gratitude.
The look of pride on my son’s face every time he swims a length of the pool or hits a double brings an honest, wide smile to my face.
We may have busy schedules, but those kids are learning and developing true passions, learning that it’s always okay to follow their dreams.
If I can teach my children anything about life, it will be this: nothing is impossible.
