The Bedazzled Pitbull

What do you get when you cross a dance mom with a hockey mom?

For sure something crazy, right?!

Between Sarah Palin's line about pitbulls and lipstick and the "Dance Moms" reality show, neither of my titles carry a very good rep.

And I can't say I am doing much to help the case!

I'm the one in the lobby of the dance studio - still in my high heels from work - brushing one kid's hair while changing another into sports gear, all with a cell phone pressed between ear and shoulder and a Snickers bar (my dinner) in my mouth, before flying out the door 10 minutes late for another event, frantically digging in my purse to find my keys which are probably sitting back on the bench on other side of the studio where I first set them down with my five bags 20 minutes before. And, shoot, I forgot to pay and now there's a line at the desk...

A jumbled run-on? Yes, I know. With a competitive dancer and two hockey players as my kids, that is my reality.

But do you know the really crazy part? I love it! Believe it or not, I - the one who wears only a brush of mascara and owns not a single piece of sparkly attire - have grown quite fond of applying stage makeup, fake hair and rhinestones. And I - the one who hates the cold - now have a wardrobe of fleece blankets and cute hats for the arena. I'm even learning to tie the skates! (Yes, this is a big deal for me!)

Not to say it doesn't take a toll. I certainly do cross the line to seriously crazy sometimes. We have very little down time. And I wish my primary mode of communication with my husband wasn't mobile technology. But it's all so worth it.

I am fed by my kids' energy and feel blessed that they have healthy little bodies that enable them to participate. And I am proud. Incredibly proud. I even wear the oversized buttons with their pictures to prove it.

Just cut me a little slack if you see me at the ice rink in a bedazzled "Dance Mom" shirt. I probably just didn't have time to change.