Friday: Shannon takes Andrew to hockey tournament in CT.. stay overnight

Saturday: Michael goes up and switches out with Shannon so she can come back and take Olivia to soccer.

Sunday: Shannon takes Andrew back up for last game of tournament. Michael takes Olivia down to the city for family dinner with grandparents.

A typical weekend, and probably similar to what a lot of families have to negotiate when they have active kids. That's just the weekend: weekdays are filled with getting out the door for school, back in time for tutors and dentist appointments, then back out for practices...then back in for homework!

I used to feel like I had to change this.... and slow everyone down, maybe have the kids drop a sport...but no more. Number one, my wife Shannon and I are so thankful that our family has been, so far, blessed with healthy children who are able to participate in sports and other activities. We're thankful that we're able to pay for the things they do, and while it's extensive, we try never to be extravagant... no moon rock hockey helmet for Andrew!

But there's something else else. The kids are only around for so long. Andrew is already a freshman in high school and I keep counting... "still have 3 summers with him before he goes to college".. Olivia is only 11 but she's right behind him, almost halfway through middle school.

Yes, it gets totally crazy... but a couple of years from now, when Shannon and I have the time to go out to dinner and we're not rushing to get out the door for a 8 am soccer game I'm going to miss it all.