7 Quick Takes: pumpkin seeds, apple slicers, wait...SEVEN?!!

1. Learning loops.
   
   I've been thinking a lot about our summer schedule, as there are only FIVE WEEKS left in the school year!!!  We have some nice activities to keep us out of trouble busy during June (a few camps, swim lessons, baseball for Kolbe, and Gemma will continue with piano lessons).  Things will pretty much come to a grinding halt around the Fourth of July though...  I am trying to not be terrified by this prospect.  I have always tried to do some learning activities at home with the kids during summer, and it's always either been met with pretty huge resistance or we just get busy with other things on the days/times I scheduled educational stuff and any "structured" learning simply gets left out.  I don't have much higher hopes for this year, but I do have an idea.  Learning loops.  I've broken down some activities I'd like to see the kids do regularly (math facts, independent reading, journaling, letter writing, handwriting practice, etc.) into three categories..."Reading", "Writing", and "Math".  I know.  So creative, right?  It's really a wonder no one has thought of that grouping before.....   Anyways, there is also a fourth category, "30 minutes of free computer time".  I'm typically not much for bribes and rewards (except for when I turn into the dragon version of myself) but the system will go like this... You complete the prescribed amount of work from each category (we will aim for one category per day and I am sure there will be days we don't get to anything) and then you get to do the magical fourth category.  Motivation.  It's motivation. Because it has become apparent that the lure of the glowing screen on my laptop is pretty darn strong, and if I schedule math on Monday and writing on Wednesday and computer on Tuesday and Friday, I can GUARANTEE you they will make time and remind me 400,387 times that it is a computer day, but somehow it doesn't work the same for the math and writing days.  Go figure..  I will report back.
2. Pumpkin seeds.
   
   The kids saved seeds from their jack-o-lanterns this past fall and we finally got around to planting them in some pots this morning.  They have illusions of a pumpkin patch in our yard, which is an odd thought considering the fact that Aaron has put his foot down and said no pumpkins in the yard.  Numerous times.  And I reminded them of that this morning and somehow it didn't phase their plans.  So we'll see where this project takes us.  
3. Birthday.
   
   Oh 36, am I really approaching my late 30s?  What the....????  How did that even happen?  My kids were so good to me yesterday.  Clem even insisted on wearing his six-month-old Mater birthday hat (that he found littered on the ground somewhere last Fall and went on to claim as one of his most prized possessions) to Mass in my honor.  I was...amused.   So were the people around us. At least he didn't insist that I wear it.
   
4. Windows.
   
   I cleaned them again this morning.  The outsides anyways.  Because wouldn't you know like the WEEK after I did my spring window cleaning it rained juuuuuust enough to blow dirt all.over.them.  Like, enough dirt to obscure your view when looking out.  Ridiculous, ugly, dusty nastiness. I kept hoping subsequent rains would wash them off, but no dice. At least this time I only had to do the outsides.  And my ecloths make it pretty easy-peasy, I must say.  Also, speaking of Windows, I really wish my almost six year old laptop would quit asking me if I want to install Windows10.  Seriously, I think this poor old dinosaur would blow up if I tried that.  Hopefully one of the kids doesn't accidentally install it for me.
5. OH my word...it's been forever since I've done this.  SEVEN things?!?!?!!  Trust me, I can't remember the last time I've had seven things exciting enough to actually blog about.  And judging from the above, this post isn't any exception.
6. Bible.
   
   Psalm 25 has been my absolute fave lately.  I went through a phase where I read the 23rd Psalm almost daily (because, right? I am so creative and no one has ever thought to read Psalm 23 on a regular basis before) and one day my eyes wandered over to Psalm 25 and it is so beautiful, and now I find myself returning to it daily.  I particularly like verse 15...
   

   "My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
   for he will pluck my feet out of the net."

   What a beautiful image. Stop focusing on my failures, and obsessing over what I have or may have done wrong.  Keep my eyes on the Lord. Love others. Do His will. Always.  He'll take care of all that other stuff.
7. Apple slicer.
   
   I want an apple slicer so bad.  Something like this.  Apple slices are my go-to snack for the kids, and they especially like to eat them at bedtime.  When the thought of grabbing a paring knife and carving up yet another ~#&($&^$"#+% apple is enough to make me want to jab said knife through a wall.  OK.  Maybe I need therapy instead of an apple slicer.  But if a $10 kitchen gadget can buy me that much peace, maybe I should just buy myself one for my birthday because it's cheaper than therapy.  Seriously, when I am carving up the 47th apple of the day, the only thought going through my head (aside from a keen resentment for the fact that my kids are always wanting me to feed them...seriously, what is wrong with them?) is that  I just know that I could solve all my life's problems by owning an apple slicer.  If you own one and your life still has problems, just keep it to yourself, OK?

   

   the image I see in my nightmares...

   Peace out, friends!
   (Find more Quick Takes over at This Ain't the Lyceum!)