Calendar Overload

This month is the busiest time of the year.
Right now my middle child is already rehearsing for the Laramie Project at her school.  Rehearsals are several times a week and when they get closer to the date, it will be daily.  She is also a leader at the local AWANA club.  Her Saturday acting class is on hold until she finishes her weekly internship at a local parks and rec.
My youngest is learning 3 different choreography for an upcoming show with our local YMCA.  She also has girl scouts and acting classes on Saturday and a couple of projects she will be filming this month.

I think I just tired myself from writing that down.

Some people wonder why I do it.  I certainly didn't grow up with any of these opportunities when I was growing up.
My oldest was interested for less than a month on taekwondo and wasn't interesting in anything else but hanging with his friends and playing video games. So I let him because that is what he wanted to do.

I do this because my kids want to do this.  I have said no (if you can believe it) on other activities.

Most importantly, it is a girl thing.  I have nothing against boys.  I had one and he is and always will be the love of my life.
Girls have been taught, since an early age, that boys are dominant in everything.  Sports, business, and entertainment.
When my daughters decided they wanted to enter the entertainment business as actresses I was a bit hesitant, at first.  Then it became a big deal for me when I started getting breakdowns.  I choose roles they audition for very carefully.  They are just getting there foot in the door but I am still very careful what they do.  I would rather my daughters do small roles instead of big roles that are violent or come across as some hoochie.  Believe me when I tell you that I have across roles when they are looking for hot 8-12 year olds or roles where the 13 and over is in a scene where sex is implied.  Implied or not there minds are too young and can't really understand it.
I want my daughters to be positive role models and play them on film.

I also want them to be the best at what they do now and what they will do later on in their lives.

Let your children follow their dreams.
Even if it will take up your space on your calendar.
You will still have a life.  I promise you.
And if that's not enough, remember, they won't live with you forever.
If you're lucky.

I ?%&$ up!

30 day eating in challenge is too difficult for us to do. Yesterday from all the running around we had to stop and eat somewhere outside of home. At first, we bent the challenge a little with only drinks like Coffee, tea, and Smoothies. The kids have grown tired of cold sandwiches. I have also with a smile. But I think I did prove a point to my husband that we needed to cut it out.
So we're still eating vegan. Me mostly. Everyone else at home.
I don't see it as giving up. More like more conscious of what we put in our mouths.
I often wonder what other people do, who are as busy as we are, not eat outside of the home. Or maybe they just don't realize how often they do it. 

Our local library was able to budget the new kids book club.  I was so excited when I received word of this.  My kids loved the club (Snacktime Readers renamed Book Central).  To be able to sit around a table with snacks and drink with a librarian and discuss the book of the month was something we all missed.  Every month discovering a new book to read is always a thrill.  Our local library will be hosting it's annual One Book One Glendale...For Younger Readers featuring one of our local authors Janet Tashjian.  On previous years we have met local authors Kazu Kibuishi and Amy Goldman Koss.  
For my local readers your readers 4th - 8th grades should totally join us  on November 1 7pm  for snacks and conversation about the book, My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian.  If you come by the Glendale Central Library, go upstairs to the children's area and ask the librarian for a copy so that you can join the group.  

dinner at home

Is always nice. Kids talking about a new story they are writing. New adventures they would like to go on. I love my kids.

Today I might dinner pretty quick. My leg is killing me! Mashed potatoes (with pureed cauliflower), super sweet corn, and chicken free chicken. I used a short cut with the potatoes. I like the ones that use just add water, soy milk, sweetened butter. Much easier and faster when you are busy. The chicken free chicken is from Follow Your Heart. You should be able to find it at your health food store (whole foods). I cut it up into strips and fried it in olive oil. OMG