Seven Quick Takes: almost back to school edition

1. I got a lot of shopping done last weekend to update (errrr, read: pretty much start from scratch) my professional wardrobe for the upcoming school year.  We happened to walk into The Limited, who I had been told was a good place for what I'm needing clothing-wise, on their *one day only* 60% off the entire store (regular and sale price) sale.  Seriously, the pants I got ranged from $10-$27 a pair (they were regular $80 pants.  Gulp).  Nice dress pants.  I was so excited!  They are currently out for (free) alterations to the hem, so hopefully they fit like a charm when I get them back (fingers crossed).  I have long legs, but after talking to my husband (the fashion expert) and a couple of the gals at the store, I realize I've actually been wearing my dress pants a little too long.  So we'll see how it all hashes out.  I found a brown and black pair of shoes at Dillards that I think are going to fit (it's been a long time since I had to wear dressier-type shoes all day, so I am hoping for comfort, they seem promising...) and some odds and ends at Maurices that I am still trying to decide what I'm going to keep and what's going back, but I'm all of a sudden feeling much better about my wardrobe than I was a couple weeks ago.

2. I also got almost all my meal planning done for August AND September (!!!). I wasn't planning to do September, but it just sort of happened as I would add things and find a time to repeat them and think of other things, etc. Meal planning is normally something I only do a week in advance, before making my weekly grocery list, but with so many irons in the fire as the school year starts, it just felt like something I needed to do.  If for nothing else, for my sanity's sake.  So now I just have to make grocery lists each week.  And grocery shop (which my dear husband has offered to help with). And cook.  But it's all good.  After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to go ahead and keep my (very) part-time cooking job, so it's nice to have my ducks in a row for all that and make sure no one starves, here or at the rectory.  As an added bonus, I won't have to explain why I decided PB&J and hot dogs seemed like a reasonable weekly menu.  Here or at the rectory, LOL.  I even found a new crock pot chicken recipe that looks promising.  If anyone has more crock pot recipes to share, I'm all ears (eyes?).  I have a feeling the crock pot will be my BFF this fall and winter as I settle into my working schedule.

3. Speaking of ducks in a row, earlier this week I finished my second of two college courses this summer to get my teacher's license renewed by next summer.  The first one was a one day workshop on-site for one credit hour, the other class was a month-long, four-module online course that consisted (mainly) of two reading and two writing assignments a week.  It was a lot of work, but ended up not being as bad as I originally thought it would, and I am so SO SO glad to have it behind me and have those hours!!

4. And speaking of planning, I have my first month of lesson plans mostly done as well.  My co-teacher has showed me the magnificent wonder that is Planbook, and I've been on a roll.  Things have changed SOOOOO much since I taught ten years ago.  Wowzer.  I figure if I can stay on top of the lesson planning and meal planning, hopefully everything else will fall into place (at home and school) without too much stress.  Childcare is largely figured out (it has all fallen into place with so little effort) and I am getting reallllly excited to get back in the classroom.  While there's definitely some apprehension, I'm feeling very ready to settle into our new normal this Fall.

5. The kids have all their supplies and I am again grateful for our neighbor and her used uniforms shirts (for Kolbe) she was willing to again let me go through.  His shirts from last year probably would have still fit, but we have another boy coming down the pipe, and he's smaller and will be starting kindergarten younger so I think he'll definitely wear them two years.  It seemed to make sense to save the wear on them this year.  Shopping in someone's living room is the best...for atmosphere and prices!! Gemma's jumpers are all altered and I am hoping (hoping hoping hoping) that if I take the hem out next year (read: someone else re-does the hem for me. I don't do hems.) I can stretch them through next year as well. And then she'll be in skirts!!  Her shirts from last year still fit.

6. Clement is really excited about starting preschool but his concept of time just isn't quite there, plus the big kids start three days before him, so we made a countdown chain to hang in his bedroom.  He feels like such a big kid and is getting so excited!

7. Yesterday I worked in my classroom and (with the help of my co-teacher) got my computer and projector set up.  It was a classic case of the blind leading the blind.  So many cords!  We were hilarious.  But we got my phone talking to the projector, and the computer is up and running (with a few finishing touches from the tech coordinator last night, hopefully he didn't groan too loudly when he saw our work) so now I just need to go in and familiarize myself with everything.  Last time I taught, technology in my classroom consisted of a VCR, so this is a whole new world.  But I'm a fast learner....  After initially deciding to head down to my room after Mass this morning, I looked at the state of my hyper children and decided spending an hour+ around pricey, new (to me) technology with Thing 1 and Thing 2 and Thing 3 wasn't in anyone's best interest.  One of these days....

That's all, folks!  I'm off to the work-force a week from yesterday, feel free to send any extra prayers my way!  If you made it this far, I'll leave you with this adorable picture of my precious baby who will literally sleep anywhere, including the dinner table at grandma's house.  Find more quick takes this week at This Ain't the Lyceum.

PAX!

Journal: the long part of Summer

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny.  Hot.  We have reached the historical "hottest part of summer" the next three weeks in these parts.  I looked out on the deck a bit ago and my poor vinca looked so sad.  Water.  Oops.  No rain in the 10 day, although we had an inch the other night.

Around the house: We got the kids' school supply lists last week and promptly hit the store for school shopping.  Sometimes I am probably too task-oriented, but it was nice to get it done.  The big kids both had a small handful of stuff from previous years they were able to use again this year, and I was pleasantly surprised at how small Clem's supply list was.  Maybe because we pay tuition for preschool they provide more supplies?  Who knows, but I was glad it consisted of about four things.

I purchased a small white-board to put menu planning on the refrigerator as I am so tired of answering the question "what's for dinner tonight/tomorrow, etc.?" fourteen times a day.  Or an hour.  Little things like this make me nerd-out wayyyyy too much.

 

The kiddos:  Clement celebrated his fourth birthday last week!  And he stayed four after his birthday this year!!! It was a fun, quiet day.  He requested strawberry shortcake again like last year, but mysteriously only ate the strawberries and cream off the top both times it was served.  We had cake for breakfast (it's tradition), hot dogs for lunch, and he had I think five? seven? helpings of meatloaf for dinner.  It is his favorite.  Kolbe had a ball game that evening.  Clem got some Hot Wheels cars and tracks including the loop the loop that they had been trying to create for months with their flat tracks (grin).  Finally, after eight and a half years of parenting, we have found a toy that our kids enjoy, don't tire of, and will play with, together, for literally hours (they have had a small amount of track since January birthdays that has gotten played with all the time, hence buying more for Clem's birthday). I feel so accomplished.  I truly never thought I'd see the day.

A funny story about Clem's birthday.  His godfather came up to him when we were over at my parents' and, speaking to him like a big man, pulled his wallet and a wad of $1s out and said, "so Clement, how many years old are you this year?" as he thumbed through the money.  Clement cocked his head, looked at him dead-serious and said, "oh, mayyyybe one hundred."  That kid!  We decided to start giving him allowance at 4, even though the older kids didn't get any until they were 5.  Those younger kids....  He defintely, as evidenced by the convo with his godfather, has a decent grasp on the concept of money.

And one more story, because I have no other place to keep record of this stuff: my parents (at my suggestion) got Clem some new jammies for his birthday.  Almost everything he has is hand-me-downs, so I thought he would enjoy some that were his very own.  They even got spidey ones!!  He was very polite and thanked them, but when we got home and he was in the shower I asked him which ones he wanted to wear to bed that night and he answered very seriously, "mom, can you just take them back please.  I really like the ones I have.  Just, take them back."  He was excited when I told him he could exchange them for a few more Hot Wheels tracks, so we had a fun shopping trip and he ended up being very happy with his present.

The kids (especially the older two...and me...) have gotten into puzzles lately.  We finished this 500 piece one in 3-4 days.  It was so much fun!!  Kolbe got some new clothes (I am hoping the athletic material will help keep at-bay his horrible neck stretching habit).  Can you tell which shirt is his favorite (these pics were taken on two different days)?

  In the kitchen: See aforementioned white-board. And don't ask me again.  ;-)

Learning:  I've been working on my online course and some lesson planning for the coming year.  I am getting so excited to get back in the classroom.  I've spent some time working at school and getting my room ready as well.  We've been diligent about our 20 minutes a day for the library reading program and I think everyone will hit their 60 days by the end of the program.

Reading: Academia.  Not much else.  Blah.  Academic reading is the worst.  Someone reminded me today that, "they get paid for writing, not content."  Truer words were never spoken.  Blah.  I'm almost 3/4s the way there though.  Once I muscle through next weekend's assignment I should be done.

Watching: Mainly baseball. Honestly not much else. Looking forward to some cozy nights watching Gold Rush with Aaron this fall.  The kids have enjoyed this summer's season of American Ninja Warrior.

Bringing me joy: My faith. Kind words. Connecting with old and new friends. Prayer.

Thinking about: Life and time, specifically our time here on earth. A seminarian from our diocese died in a tragic accident this past week and it has really made me reflect on how little control we have over our lives.  We give ourselves all these illusions of control (from keeping a clean house to meal-planning to a million other things), and especially with our littles still safely under our wings (for the most part) I know I get caught up thinking I have so much control over my life.  Not so much.  I am thankful that He who made the moon and stars cares deeply about me and those I love, and I pray that they may find consolation as they unite their sufferings with His.  God is good...all the time. Even in the midst of grief and suffering.  His will be done. In me and through me.

Pictures to share:  

Birthday hats were a much-anticipated part of this year's celebration. 
Even the stuffed animals got their own.

The sweet birthday boy.  Grandma surprised him with a cake at family dinner night.

Me and my honey.  We will celebrate 10 years of marriage this week.

Seven Quick Takes: the once a month blogger

Well, apparently I only blog once a month now...  And I don't foresee that getting any more frequent once school/work starts.  But, since I know at least one person reads this.........

1. Let's see....where to start?  June was a "busy" month.  And by "busy," I mean enough to keep us out of trouble, but not so much that we were running around like crazy headless chickens. Kolbe has had one baseball practice/game per week, we had a week of Art Camp, a week of VBS, two weeks of swim lessons and Gemma will have weekly tumbling in July.  Things are just now slowing down (read: summer is getting a little long in the tooth) which has had me questioning my sanity, ability to parent effectively (or at all), and whose kids are these anyways?!! The past week was horrible awful really rough, but things will get better.  I'm sure.  Or maybe oblivious.  Or more likely just in denial.  Man, parenting is hard.  The end.

   

   I like how it looks like the frog is going to eat Kolbe's head in this picture.
   I'm such an awesome photographer..

2. Teaching.  I am getting so excited to get back in the classroom!  When I first signed my contract I vacillated between excitement and terror.  It was a horrible roller coaster, and my poor husband had to endure every swing of emotions along with me.  One minute I was excitedly thinking and talking about all the great things the year would bring, the next I was having to breathe my way through a full-on panic attack over "what on earth did I get myself into when I signed that paper?!!!??!"  I am (thankfully) over that phase, have leveled out, and am very optimistic about what the year will hold for all of us.  We'll enjoy this next month, but I am ready to settle into our new normal (and get my kids back into the wonderful, beautiful structure that school brings to our days) once August comes.
3. Speaking of panic attacks...I have to have four college hours by the time I renew my actual license next summer (I was hired on a transitional license).  Being the over-achiever I am, I decided to take care of all these hours this summer, with one one-day workshop (1 credit hour) and a month-long online course (3 credit hours) through our local Catholic university.  The one day workshop was easy-peasy and had me feeling really good about the three-hour online course. Over-confident even (you know what they say about pride...) HA! Because then the online course started.  And in a fit of terror, tears, and every other negative emotion known to man (ask Aaron), I firmly conceded, threw in the towel, waved the white flag and said, "there's no way I can take this class. I am quitting."  Seriously.  It's kind of embarrassing looking back, especially considering the fact that within 36 hours of my, errr, episode, I had completed the material for the first quarter of the course load.  So yeah.  That.  I will be glad to have the hours out of the way here at the end of the month.
4. Kolbe really seems to be taking off with baseball.  His batting is still a little rough, but his fielding, throwing, catching, etc. have improved by leaps and bounds over the last month.  He definitely has some natural athleticism and seems to really enjoy baseball.  I love watching him more than I ever thought I would!!  He was actually asked to play on a more competitive team/league next year, so we are considering the pros and cons of that.  As our kids get older I think it will always require continual discernment, trying to navigate that balance between family time and activities that will allow our children to foster their likes and talents as well as a love for and commitment to their family as they grow into young adults.  Did I mention that parenting is hard?

   

   That's my boy!!!

5. What's cooking here?  Aaron is smoking a brisket today!  He did one over Memorial Weekend and it turned out soooooooo good, so we are all (including the guys at the rectory) looking forward to a repeat performance!  Planning to make a potato casserole and some broccoli salad to go along with it.  Other than that, chicken tetrazzini is the only other "big" item on my menu for the week.  I made stromboli last week and that's always a hit.  Lots of salads this summer.  Made a big batch of waffles this morning with one of my favorite Alton Brown recipes.  I am getting stacked up on frozen, mashed bananas so I see some banana bread in the near future.  Also, ALSO, I think I finally nailed my cheesecake, by dropping the eggs from 3 to 2 in my 9" spring form.  Totally the texture I have been aiming for, so that was a fun win!!
6. Tomorrow is the Fourth of the July!  The kids are so excited!!  So far we have been rained-out both times we've tried to light fireworks, and Kolbe has been begging to light more this morning since 7am.  On a Sunday?  Um, no.  Our neighbors amazingly still seem to kind of like us so I'd like to keep it that way.  I told him 10am, and he has asked me every five minutes since then how much longer.  Did I mention there is more rain in the forecast?  But things can only get better from here, right?  Shhhhhh, don't tell me otherwise.

   

   So excited about their stash!! 
   And then it thundered and started pouring.

7.  We did manage a few sparklers.  In the rain.  Happy Fourth, everyone.  Be sure to check in with other SQT over at This Ain't the Lyceum!

Those eyes!!!