It's Friday. I made it. Whew!

I'm pretty sure that this was the busiest week ever!!  I've been stretched as thin as possible, pulled in every direction and tested in many ways.  But we're now at the end of the week.  It's Friday.  I made it.  Whew!
Kyle's Fall activities kicked off on Tuesday & we've been running full speed ahead ever since!  On Tuesday night he had baseball practice for 2 hours.  Getting 3 kids ready to hit the field is more challenging than one might think.  An hour before we had to leave I fed everyone dinner & got them all cleaned up.  I made sure Kyle's bat bag contained everything he needed; glove, cleats, hat, bat & water bottle.  Then I packed a bag for the girls; water bottles, snacks, books & toys.  I loaded the double stroller into the van, made sure everyone used the bathroom & we were off to the field with 5 minutes to spare.  Kyle has been involved in baseball long enough to know the "drill"; as soon as we got to the field he hopped out w/ his bag over his shoulder & ran off to find his coach.  I spent the next 10 minutes getting the girls situated in the stroller with their various (numerous) things.  We made our way over to the bleachers & the exact second that I put the stroller brake on the sky opened up & it started to rain.  Oh, fun times.  A glance to the left of me showed a blue sky.  A glance to the right of me showed fast moving dark clouds.  So, like many of the other parents standing there, we decided to wait it out.  I figured by the time we made our way back to the van the rain would have stopped anyways & fortunately it was a warm rain.  Of course the girls had no intention on just sitting quietly in the stroller as they got rained on.  I let them out & after a few minutes the rain subsided.  It proceeded to come back on & off through-out the 2 hour practice but you know...once you're wet, you're wet..so what does it matter anyways?
Bella set to work on setting up her Little Pony toys all over the bleachers, which immediately attracted a bunch of little girls.  Now if you know Bella, then you know that she never shares.  Teaching her to share (and share nicely!) has been a work in progress for months now.  So when I saw the girls fast approaching I held my breath, waiting to see what Bella's reaction would be.  Much to my surprise & delight she willingly & happily shared her toys with the other kids.  I was so proud of her!  For the rest of the practice she contently played with the girls & her pony's & genuinly had a fun time.  Savannah, on the other hand, was a real handful!  She was running full speed ahead here, there & everywhere.  The field is quite big - surrounded by lots of grassy area -- but of course Savannah got it into her head that she wanted to run out to the (very dangerous) dirt parking lot.  And let me tell you...once Savannah gets something into her head, there's no changing her mind!!  I spent 90% of my time trying to keep her away from the parking lot.  Talk about exhausting!!!!  I couldn't wait for practice to be over.  As soon as we walked through the door I got everyone ready for bed & within 15 minutes flat they were all asleep!
With Kyle's karate brown belt achievement came the honor of moving up into the "advanced classes".  He had his first session in the new class on Wednesday evening.  Similar to how our routine went on Tuesday night, I started to get the kids ready an hour before we had to leave, only this time - instead of getting Kyle's bat bag ready - I made sure he had his uniform & belt all set to go, then packed a bag of things for the girls. 
Kyle had a great time in the new class!  It's much more structured & is a smaller class in general, which means the kids get more one-on-one training.
Bella made friends with a little girl who was coloring at one of the tables.  The little girl shared her markers & paper..and Bella kept herself busy coloring & drawing during the entire time we were there.  Savannah was, once again, a real handful.  I've decided that her goal in life right now is to try to go wherever it is that she's not supposed to go.  In this case, that place is out on the mats where the kids are training.  So, once again, I spent the entire time trying to keep her from running out onto the mats.  Exhausting!!!!!!
Last night we headed back to the baseball field for another 2 hour practice.   Bella spotted a frog & kept my good friend Erin busy following it around all over the field during much of the practice.  Savannah...well, same story, different night.
I honestly don't think I've ever known a baby to be so busy before.  She never stops.  Ever.  Her chubby little legs carry her for MILES & she never even breaks a sweat.  The girl is on the move.  Constantly.
Towards the end of baseball practice both girls started to melt down.  They had eaten all of the snacks I packed for them, drank their water bottles & were, quite simply, tired.  Once again, as soon as we walked through the door, I got all 3 kids ready for bed in record time & the house was quiet within 15 minutes. 
Tonight we have karate class.  Oh, joy.
Juggling 3 kids can be challenging in general, nevermind having to get them to a certain destination at a specific time!
Next week we'll toss Cub Scouts into the mix.  This year I'm a den mother/leader.  Because clearly I've gone & lost my mind.
And people say that being a parent isn't "work"!  Hah!  I'm at everyone's beck & call from 6:30a-8:15p.   From Kyle's constant questions: Mom, can I play a video game?  Mom, what's next for school work?  Mom, what does "secret agent" mean?  Mom, what does "obtain" mean?  Mom, is their really life on other planets?  To Bella's constant demands: Mommy, more snacks please!  Mommy, poops coming!  Mommy, get Savannah Banana away!!  Mommy, can I eat playdough?  Mommy, is it time to paint?  Mommy, play babies with me!  To Savannah..who is almost 13 months old & running.  Enough said.
Busy, busy times but, as I always say, I'd never change it for the world.  My kids bring me such happiness & fill my heart & soul with such an extreme feeling of pride & proudness that only a parent can experience.  Kyle has been getting all 100's on his quizzes & tests, already exceeding my expectations for him for this school year that has only just begun.  This morning he said to me "Mom, I really don't mind doing my school work.  I love reading about history & I play games in my head to make my math work more fun.  I turn the numbers into tankers & trucks & cars!".  I love the fact that he's able to play WHILE he learns!!!!
I love watching Bella get lost in "make pretend world" with her little toy pets, ponies & babies.  She is so sweet as she tucks them all into bed & wakes them up with kisses, rocks them & pretends to feed them etc.  She has such strong maternal insticts for a 3 yr old!  And how sweet is my little Savannah Banana, as she dances around the living room, bopping her head & swinging her arms to the beat of the music? 
They're all so full of life & love & happiness!  I can't really remember what my life was like before I had kids but it must have been pretty darn boring!!