Autumn here has fallen on our laps, seemingly out of nowhere. It is one of my favorite seasons, but it seemed to sneak up on us this year. Probably because of the extended baseball season, followed up by trying to squeeze all our summer wish list activities into one month. That probably sounds like too much, right? So, how does a family enjoy this wonderful season but not overdo it? This fall we decided to do sports in a low key way. No hectic schedules, no sport or team that was going to eat away at our few precious hours. This isn't how we usually operate, but it has been the norm for the last 2 years. We are a sports-loving family but we also seem to be busier in the fall with just life. So this fall, the youngest wanted to play soccer and the oldest wanted to focus on tennis. Tennis you say? I'm ALL about my tennis! How could I ever say no to that request? Soccer was only a two day a week commitment, for an hour at a time, during the week with no weekend games. Perfect! Tennis was a bit more varied but it averaged a day a week on mainly days we chose. There were also opportunities for weekend events, and we did participate in one family round robin. This "event" was my son's first competitive foray in tennis and I think he did pretty well. This less stress, less commitment usually only lasts a season, but for us it might carry over into the early winter, when baseball practices pick back up. The older one will be in his last year of Little League and the younger one in his second year of Minor B. Hopefully it will be a memorable season. Josh is already concerned that he will be missing out on tennis during the spring, but I feel like he's getting ahead of himself. I am happy, though, that he is so fond of the sport I love. I never wanted to push him to play, but was thrilled to share what I know, as well as introduce him to others who can also help him develop as a player. If you live in the Williamsport area, check out the Central PA Tennis Club. The pros there are awesome and the staff is very friendly. They have plenty of things for players of all ages and levels to try their hand at, like the family doubles we participated in last weekend. But I digress...the schedule between these sports was pretty laid back for the most part. Spring is so the opposite! We have a hard time finding time to breathe in the spring with sports. I usually have to pencil it in.
Since we went on vacation in Florida late in September, I was tricked into thinking that summer wasn't over. But after we came back, fall was staring us right in the face. So many things to do before the weather changes. School is now in full swing and it seems like weekends are full of activities. One activity I'm looking forward to is camping next weekend. It will be our only trip since July, since the truck "lost its mind" in August and derailed our trip to Cook Forest. Fall camping is the best though, so I am excited to go and enjoy the last hurrah of the camping season. Around here, camping usually ends by November, when pipes might freeze up on your rig if the weather decides to throw you some sass. Campfires are much more pleasant without the heat of summer though and walks through the woods are even better when the leaves are changing. Alas, the summer has sighed and let go of the sun, turning our lights out even earlier. Laughter can still be heard and tales can be told even better in the dark, under the glorious glow of moonlight. We will relish this last foray into the woods in our RV. Life will go on afterwards and more holidays will be spent with friends and family in the near future. I am going to enjoy fall to the very last drop of dew, to the last walk on a cool autumn day, to everything outdoors and indoors that one can only truly enjoy this time of year. Friends, winter may be coming but I am going to defend fall for all it's worth. Luckily, we have time to stop and smell the mushrooms.
