The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Mother

This week between Christmas and New Year's is always a bit odd for me.  It's like I'm not really sure what to do with myself.  I certainly enjoy the downtime, the not having much on the "to-do" or "to-go" list.  We've been sleeping late, breakfast at noon, binge watching on Netflix, indenting the couch cushions, and generally just hanging out together.  It's really the best Christmas present I get...this week after.  But it leaves me feeling a bit unsure of things.  A bit like what's my purpose, besides feeding these people all the time!  Geez...you never realize how frequently kids need to eat, until you are home with them for two weeks! Tonight, we are going to ring in the new year in the same casual fashion as the rest of this week...at home sushi, card games, Netflix and sparkling apple cider!  Wild bunch here, right?!  2014 was a simple year...nothing too dramatic.  Lots to be grateful for...good health, smart and talented kids, a ho

According to my delightful, compassionate 15 year old son (yes, there's a bit of sarcasm there), I'm not allowed to complain at all about my life.  You see according to him, it's all my fault.  I was the one who got married and decided to have 4 kids.  Well actually he said, 4 talented and smart kids.  He says if I had just followed my own musical career and been a professional pianist, I wouldn't be in my current situation.  Therefore, I'm not allowed to complain about my current lifestyle of being a chauffeur, chef and financial institution to my children.  It does seem that some months all I do is dish out money for this or that, run them all over town for rehearsals and concerts, and somewhere in between is feeding them, schooling them and sleep.  This morning, our first official morning of Christmas break and Bailey has rehearsal downtown at the Tobin Center for YOSA at 8:45.  He also had to have labs draw before (at 7:30) since he was fasting (he's on Accu