May Madness

May is a month I think needs to be wiped off my yearly calendar...ok, THIS May specifically. Why? You might ask...well, for starters I have over crammed my already cramped calendar. Even now as I look at my desk calendar I notice there are very few 'blank' days that haven't been scheduled for something.

I must admit, this is my first year with this problem and I had always thought I would be better prepared for this day, but it sneaked up on me and here I am. Usually I am a rather organized person who likes to have things planned well in advanced, I try to be punctual and effecient, but this month has gotten the best of me. The little drama queen started school this year and May is chock full of school stuff. We have field trips, field days, awards ceremonies, school programs and family picnics. We have soccer games and end of season parties. I have multiple family birthdays this month including D.Q's b-day party. End of the month brings scheduling summer schedules for the kids (D.Q. and Jr(step-son)) as well as major family vacations/time off work and in addition to this year, the hub and I are graduating college. Typically we take our 'getaway' vacation in october but since we are graduating we are doing it early. Also, kind of a last minute throw in....we decided to host a 'Memorial Day celebration' at our house with our friends.

So the party actually started out as a small get together with some friends, but with the timing and amount of people the hub likes to 'invite' why not go all out and throw a big bash! As of yesterday, I volunteered to pull together a end of season party for D.Q's soccer team because the coach is going to be too busy to put it together and I think the kids deserve more than just a "thanks for playing - here' s your trophy." Unfortunately for me, the last game is Saturday, of which, this weekend is booked up at the pool and next weekend is end of school/memorial day and I don't want to interrupt parents plans. So...where does this leave me...thursday. Yep, that's right, if I can pull it off I'm going to throw a mini-pool party for the kids after practice tomorrow night. I'm kind of disappointed because I had planned to run hills with MIM, but I'm sure there will be other Thursdays.

As for Memorial Day party...what to cook? Need to get the new patio furniture, book the bounce house, check the outdoor lights, decorations?? Do I need decorations?? (Of, course!)

I've talked to a few people and they all say the same thing...May is a busy month for them. I don't ever remember it being like this, what happened?? I think in my case it was kids, but who knows! hahahaha

So, here's my question for you (ok, 2 questions.)

1) Do you have a month (this one or another one) where life seems to pick up pace and you rush to get it all in?

AND

2) Do you have any food/drink/dessert suggestions for my Memorial Day Celebration? I was thinking B-B-Q, but don't know what sides/desserts to fix with it. I'm looking for something new and a little different but not difficult, but some of the internet recipies you just don't know about until you try them - I might have to do a trial run on food options this weekend...hehe (see picture above!)