The Merry Month Of May

I think I've mentioned previously how crazy May is in Suburbia. It's the month where all fronts in the balance challenge that is my life collide. Work brings state athletic tournaments, the senior awards assembly, our culminating assembly for our year-long theme, graduation, and building next year's master class schedule. The kids are involved in numerous year-end activities of their own: music programs, gymnastics banquet, Soccer Boy's birthday, and, this year, confirmation for Swim Chick. We are also in full-swing for camp preparations; they leave June 1. Adventure Guy also has a birthday this month, and he's involved in year-end soccer events now that he's joined the association board.

This weekend is shaping up to be a hectic but good one. My parents and grandmother are coming to visit for Swim Chick's confirmation. In the meantime, I also have a Junior League leadership retreat that I have to attend Friday evening and Saturday morning. Fortunately, my guests are understanding of our crazy schedule. They'll get in fairly late on Friday night and then hang out with the kids on Saturday morning while I'm gone.

I have been prepping for the visit, though. I got all my outside pots and hanging baskets planted over the weekend, and today I finished some planting in my front flower bed. I put hot pink petunias in, and I think they'll look really nice this summer. I've also got my menu for the brunch following confirmation on Sunday all planned since I'll need to grocery shop tomorrow.

We'll be having:
Baked Ham
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Green salad with mandarin oranges and candied almonds
Blueberry Almond Bread
Bacon and Egg Crunchy Brunch Casserole
Brownies
Theta Shoppe Vanilla Bars

The nice thing about the menu is that most is doable ahead of time. I'll have everything ready so that all I need to do is bake the two casseroles on Sunday. Now I just need to check my silver to see if it needs any work and plan my serving dishes!