Seven Quick Takes: I can see the light!!

I figure if I jumped back on the blogging bandwagon I might as well not fall off again.  Seven quick things going on around here this week:

1. We have new kitchen chairs!! I was joking with the gals in the office at the parish where I cook(ed) that we've been married 11 years and now all our stuff is breaking or falling apart, so I was considering registering for things again now that I know what I like and will use. And all the other stuff is broken or worn out.  LOL.  Not really, but it's funny, when you register before your wedding, you (well, at least us), really have no idea what you want, what you like, what you need, what you'll never use, how much you really don't need.  I would argue that the same thing goes for baby registries as well.  But I'm getting sidetracked.  The kitchen chairs were falling apart so we replaced them.  There were two that were still in good condition so we held on to those for the ends, and kept another that was a little rougher to put the booster seat on here in a year or two since that is pretty rough on the padding and the finish.  I like how the new ones look and we got a super good deal on them!

2.  After just finishing A Witness to Joy (the story of Chiara Corbella Petrillo) I am reading Archibishop Chaput's Strangers in a Strange Land. Complete change of gears from Petrillo's story but I am enjoying it as well.  Man, he is a smart guy.  His ability to tie in history and quotes and ideas from so many different people and time periods is commendable.  But it's also not so intellectual that it's difficult to understand.  He has some very valid thoughts and insights into Catholicism in the U S of A today.  Aaron has already read it, so it gives us something interesting to discuss as well, which is always nice.

3. I am so ready for the change of gears when school starts.  This summer has been really. rough. around the house.  Older kids (who fight a lot), a baby who has lots of needs.  Taking care of a baby's needs while the older kids fight.  A lot.  Trying to keep my cool (hello failure) with the older kids who fight.  A lot.  I am not sure what we've done wrong this year but I sure hope we can get our...stuff....together come next summer because this summer has not been fun and I feel like we are just in this repeating cycle of awful. Terrible, horrible, awful.  Enough of that.

4. Kolbe has a short cast and can move his elbow again!!  And in just a little over a week he'll be in a splint!! And then all should be well with his arm.  I can see the light!  But I am soooooo paranoid about broken bones now though.  Ergh.

5. The siding crew finished siding the house on Friday, so Aaron just has a few little chores to finish up... yard-work yesterday, since he couldn't mow or run the sprinklers while all their stuff was in the yard, and putting the deck back together today (he wanted to paint around the parts where he has to reattach the deck before he reattached them, the previous owners had just painted around the deck). Then he'll take a breather (and a class for work) and get the kids back in school and start painting.  Whew, we've got some of this behind us but I'll be so glad when the painting and guttering are done!

6. Speaking of having things behind us...after an incredibly ridiculous amount of drama (I'll spare you the details) I have an addressed envelope to the state that is allllllmost ready to mail in for my teacher-license renewal.  Hallelujah! 

7. After this week the seminarian will go back to school and I'll be back to just cooking for one at the rectory, just in time to work essentially full-time during inservice week at school. But there will be a beautiful light at the end of that tunnel when school starts (I'll only be working 6-8 hours a week) and we all fall into our Fall schedules. It's gonna be good. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

Check out others' quick takes here. Until next time!!  Thanks for reading. :)

Seven Quick Takes: November

1. Goodness, here we are at the end of November and the doorstep of Advent.  This Fall has been a whirlwind.  A good one albeit, but a whirlwind nevertheless.  I don't expect Spring to be any different, except maybe more whirlwind-ish.  I just love November.  It's magical.  Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays and the Advent season immensely, but there is something magical about the anticipation that November brings.  The one-of-a-kind sky (have you ever really looked at the November sky? There's just something so November-y about it.), the slanty light, the changing weather, the beautiful trees, the anticipatory waiting for holidays to come.  This book sums it up pretty perfectly for me.  Some day I'll purchase our own copy, but honestly I think I may love it more than the kids do, LOL.
2. Thanksgiving break was nice.  It was different this year, as I had inservice on Monday and Tuesday, but the kids had an awesome time at the sitter's and the rest of the week was a relaxing, enjoyable time with family and just hanging out around the house.  On Saturday, I believe I wore my pajamas until 4pm.  Then I changed into something equally pajama-ish to cut the boys' hair. And then I showered.  And put my pajamas back on.  Now that's the life!  Speaking of clothes (sort of), I ordered some more "maternity" clothes this past week from Old Navy while they were having 50% off.  I put maternity in quotes because none of them were actually specifically maternity items. I finally broke down and ordered some leggings (oh my word, no one told me how warm and comfortable leggings are, holy moly) and some dresses that I wouldn't wear non-pregnant because they'd look like too-short potato sacks on me, but they actually work great on me+baby belly with the leggings, so I think with what I ordered I may have just stretched my professional wardrobe up to baby-time (for the most part).  Hopefully.
3. I've set up a bunch of Christmas specials on the DVR.  All the usuals (Charlie Brown, The Grinch, Rudolph, etc. etc.) Even though some of them have already recorded, I told the kids they need to spread them out and wait until closer to Christmas to watch them.  We did watch Frosty and Frosty Returns yesterday.  Oh my word, Frosty Returns is horrible.  It is the epitome of low-budget, plot-less 1990's sequels.  I deleted it as soon as it was over (and wish I would have deleted it five minutes in).  For something new this year I am recording The Polar Express, which they've never seen.  Actually, I don't think I've ever seen it either.  I can't decide on Elf.  That is one of those movies that I laugh so hard at every year, and could seriously watch it over and over and not tire of it, just not quite sure if I'm ready for the kids to watch it yet (at almost 9, almost 7 and 4.5).  I am curious to hear others' thoughts on this, because IMHO, that one deserves the title "classic" (or at least modern-day classic) in my books, but I'm just having trouble gauging age-appropriateness (and I probably err on the side of caution more often in that department).  Gemma gets to go see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with her class at a local live theatre, so I have requested the book from the library to read (still debating whether to read to just her or all the kids).  I remember my mom reading this book to us every year (it seems like, maybe it wasn't that often) and just loving it.
4. I am getting wordy.  Here are some pictures from our first day of Thanksgiving break.  It was cold (really the first COLD cold day of the season) so we had hot-chocolate after school, and Kolbe  made us a turkey soup recipe (which interestingly enough had beef, not turkey in it. but it was delish never-the-less).
    
5.  I have hit (and passed) the halfway point of this pregnancy.  See aforementioned whirlwind.
   
6. Much to my dismay, the kids have inherited a ridiculously large collection of bottle caps.  So ridiculously large that they have been ordered to keep them in the garage.  I will say, they do keep them ridiculously entertained....
    
7. And here we are at Advent!  I always love the Advent season.  This year we will be using the book Welcome Baby Jesus at the breakfast table.  I've used this book two or three times before, and it was actually sent home from school to all families this year so it was definitely meant to be.  We will be using the same Jesse Tree as last year (which I loved, using a combo of the regular RSV and our Children's Bible) and while I haven't gone through our books and assigned one for each day like other years, we will definitely be doing a loose version of picture book a day again this year.  With the growing our home library has slowly done each year, and the addition of six more Christmas hardcovers from St. Nicholas here in a week-and-a-half, I only ended up requesting about a dozen-and-a-half Christmas books from the library this year!  So fun!!  Our wreath candles I ordered last year still have another year in them (at least).  No countdown/Advent activity chain this year.  Hopefully the kids don't mutiny...  What does Advent look like at your house?  Richest blessings of the season to all, and as we were reminded in today's Gospel, stay awake!  He is coming!!  For more SQT click here.  PAX!
   

Seven really random, really quick takes

Twice in a month!  Bam!!

1. I have really been enjoying hot tea lately.  I am a coffee person (black, thanks) through and through, but I try to limit my caffeine a bit during pregnancy. Actually, it doesn't even sound good during the first trimester or so.  I've been back to drinking it the past several weeks, but I still enjoy me a cup of hot tea, especially on a crisp Autumn, slanty-lighted morning.  Mmmmmm.  I like spice teas, this is one of my favorites.  
2. I am in need of professional wear.  Again.  Sigh.  I laugh about updating my wardrobe this summer for work only to have none of the pants fit anymore.  With baggier tops being more the style I really haven't worn many maternity tops, and I used one of those band things with my pants for awhile but then I tried on a pair of actual maternity pants and realized how comfortable they are.  Problem is, I've never worked during a pregnancy so I have nothing professional.  I ordered a pair of pants from Old Navy in black that I like a bunch.  A whole bunch.  So I ordered them in gray and they were too short.  So I exchanged them for khaki.  And they were too short.  Sigh.  #longlegprobs.  And I don't do skirts so don't ask.  Believe me I've tried, I just can't.
3. I have my lesson plans almost done through Thanksgiving break!! Just a few holes to fill in here and there!  And then it's only 3ish weeks until Christmas break, and those plans will be easy because really?  Christmas time in an elementary music classroom?  What could be more fun and open for great lesson possibilities!!  After that my year will be well over half over since I'll only be working until early April-ish.  It's just flying by!! And I'm having so much fun in the classroom!  This has been a great setup for this year.
4. We were at Kohl's last week (I had to return some maternity pants that didn't work out) and the boys had some money burning a hole in their pockets apparently, so Kolbe picked out and bought Curious George and Clem Corduroy (see here).  They are pretty cute.  Kolbe has "flashlight Friday" each week at school where they get to bring a flashlight and stuffed animal and read quietly for awhile, so George made the trip with him this week.
5. Steak (and hot dogs) for dinner tonight after hubby found a super-good deal on some ribeyes at the grocery store a few weeks ago!!  Pork chili (it's our new fave, I use my white chicken chili recipe but we use chunked up pork butt instead of chicken, soooo good!) last night.  Up this week: shredded chicken tacos, shepherd's pie, leftovers and whatever.
6. St. Nicholas will be bringing some new (to us, I got some great deals on used hardcovers) Christmas books this year!!  The Night of Las Posadas, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, Millie in the Snow, The Christmas Day Kitten, Apple Tree Christmas and Can You See What I See: The Night Before Christmas were all worthy of a status greater than library checkout!!  Our home library is getting bigger than the stack I check out from the library now!  So exciting!!
7. APPLES!  We have enjoyed a variety of apples, apple crisps, apple books, apple experiments (thanks first grade) all kinds of apple things this Fall! Next up I told Kolbe we'd make applesauce after reading Applesauce Season.  Does anyone have a food-mill they'd loan me?
   

Seven Quick Takes...it's been awhile...

Well, it happened.  I went back to work and blogging went by the wayside.  I am not terribly bothered by this, but I would still like to have some semblance of record that we actually are alive and do things once in awhile, so alas it's time for an update.  Seven Quick Takes seemed the least intimidating... 

1. NEWS.  Big news!  The BABY kind of big news!!  WE HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY!!!!  (If you're friends with me in real life or on Facebook, which is probably most of you, you already know this.)  But yep, you read that right.  I went back to work and now we have a baby on the way.  Bwahahahaha.  But it's all so, SO SO good! God's hand was so obvious in the way my teaching job came about in the first place, I know this newest little one is just another part of His great plan.  Not mine.  Because slowly and surely, He is teaching me to quit planning ahead.
2. FALL PICTURES (see sidebar).  After a not-so-great experience last year with the pictures taken at school, we decided to just stick with Portrait Innovations exclusively for the kids' yearly professional pics (minus the sono shot.  obviously.)  I've always been pretty pleased with them and this year is no exception.  Gemma - 3rd Grade; Kolbe - 1st Grade; Clement - PreKinder; Baby - Coming This Spring!!!  We were going to do family pictures this Fall but now with being pregnant and the fact that they'd be out of date in six months, I'm up in the air.  I really don't want to do them in Spring because newborns change so quickly, but our most current one is 1.5 years old.  I don't know. Pictures stress me out...
   
3. PRESCHOOL. Three kids and this year is my first experience with preschool.  I had always sworn I would NEVER send a child to preschool.  I am learning that along with making long-term plans, I also need to eliminate the word "never" from my vocabulary.  Before the job even came about, I had the thought that Clem may benefit from a little more than he would be getting (being the only kid) at home this school year, but still wasn't thrilled about adding the expense of preschool to our budget.  When the job came about, and it overlapped nearly perfectly with the half-day, five-day-a-week preschool schedule at my school, it seemed like the obvious choice.  Clem's visit to the preschool room last spring was awful.  I bumped his head on a table when we were sitting down right after we got there, and he cried the whole time.  But I enrolled him anyways.  And all summer he seemed pretty stoked to be going to school like the big kids, but I was still a little nervous.  He went his first day and has never looked back.  Well, I take that back, he had one really rough day about 3 weeks in, but had no hesitation before that and has had none since.  And he doesn't just like it.  He LOVES it.  Talks about it ALL the time (which is new to me after a Gemma who maybe said two words about kindergarten the whole year, and Kolbe who says more but still not to the level that Clem shares). They do so much cool stuff...painting, cooking, play dough, shaving cream and salt letters...all the stuff that stresses me out at home because of the mess!  They sing and dance and go to recess and I think they've done like two worksheets the whole first 8 weeks.  We couldn't ask for a better setup. 
4. CONFERENCES. We had school conferences last week. The third graders had these little "Guess Who" things hung up in the hallway outside their room.  Didn't take long to nail Gemma's.  She was the only third grader whose favorite food was sushi.
5.  Good heavens, SEVEN?!  I seriously can't think of seven things to talk about right now.
6. PREGNANCY.  I'm 14 weeks this weekend.  This pregnancy has definitely been different.  The ickies didn't hit until like 8-9 weeks, and even then they weren't debilitating like I remember them being, (although I think working has helped keep my mind off of feeling yuck) they were still definitely there. The lack of/difference in "ick" was a little concerning at first (because I like to analyze every aspect of my life), but seeing that healthy babe on the sono screen was incredibly reassuring.  We're so excited!!!  Just the past week I've been feeling a little better, and less inclined to take a nap every waking moment, so that's been a plus.  And I haven't had too many food aversions (besides CheezIts, veggie dip, meatloaf and chicken tenders) but oh my have I had insanely intense cravings.  For the most random things (maybe because I like to watch foodie shows after the kids are in bed sometimes).  I still haven't gotten my Indian taco.  Sniff sniff.
7.  SATURDAY.  Saturday has taken on a glorious, amazing and magnificent meaning that it has never in my life possessed.  Between working and being pregnant, my Saturday mornings are like gold.  Sleep in. (Normally I find the idea of sleeping in repulsive, but this AM I didn't roll out of bed until 7:15.  SEVEN FIFTEEN!!!  That's like practically noon, people!)  Live in my jammies until, ahem, well, anyways...  Morning prayer.  Cup of hot tea (or coffee, which I have just again redeveloped a taste for after about a two month hiatus.  OHHHH coffee!!!!!)  Simple breakfast for the kids, or maybe a batch of waffles or something.  At our leisure.  Chores at my leisure.  Oh my word, I could write a whole book of Odes to Saturday Morning now. 

Well, I suppose that's all.  Check out more Quick Takes from the Catholic Blogging World over at This Ain't the Lyceum.  Happy October, everyone!  The way my record has been, I'll probably see you again in November.  :-)

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!

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!!!

Seven Quick Takes: summer vacation!

1.  School wrapped up for the year after a short half-day on Thursday!!  The boys had dentist appointments that afternoon so Gemma and I went on a celebratory date.  We started with Eucharistic Adoration (I am soooo excited for her second grade year and the Sacraments that it brings), then off to eat ice cream at Braum's and she picked out a book about St. Teresa of Avila at our local Catholic bookstore.  We had such a nice time!!  Isn't she beautiful?  The first picture just captures her so well I think.

2.  That evening my hubby and I had a date (!!!!!!!!).  We went to Vespers at our Diocesan Cathedral and then spent the evening with the (around 70!!!!!!) seminarians of our diocese, various priests and about 300 people.  I am normally not much of a crowd person, in fact as we were walking in I was like, "Aaron!!!  We're going to have to talk!!! To people!!!!!!!"  But it was a positively wonderful evening catching up with people, some of whom we hadn't seen for years, and it made my heart swell with pride for the wonderful things that are happening in our diocese.  The number of seminarians (men studying for the priesthood) that we have here is astounding.  The Bishop even commented in his opening remarks that there isn't a Bishop in the world who wouldn't want to trade places with him. This morning there will be five young men ordained to the priesthood and last evening one to the diaconate.  God is good.  Sadly there is no pictorial evidence of our date.  OH well.

3.  We kicked the first morning of summer vacation off by turning our heater on, and it's running again this morning.  A little chilly for my tastes this time of year (I thought I was done with hoodies and sweats), but I won't complain.  It has been a gorgeous Spring in these parts!  And rain abounds, and looks like it will continue to abound for most of the holiday weekend.

  

4.  We signed up for the Summer Reading Program at the library yesterday...the kids had been looking forward to this for weeks now!!  They revamped the program a bit this year and I'm really happy with the changes.  The kids have to do four reading inspired activities (there is a list to choose from) and then read 20 twenty-minute reading sessions.  This is sooooooo much easier than having to write 120 titles x3 on papers that have room for 50 books.  Even with Gemma writing her own titles last year it was still so tedious.  This is going to be good.

5.  I printed out our "Summer Schedule" a couple weeks ago and hung it on the fridge so the kids (namely Gemma) could start looking at it and know what to expect each day.  It's not incredibly rigid...I am trying to keep waking/eating/sleeping times pretty consistent and see that prayers/breakfast/chores are the first thing to happen upon waking. Everything else is just divided into tasks that need to be accomplished between breakfast and lunch, and tasks/activities between lunch and dinner with lots of free time for play.  We have a few planned activities, mainly Bible School and swim lessons...just enough to keep us out of trouble but not crazy busy.  I have added a few more chores for the kids.  Gemma is getting to be a huge help around the house and out and about!  I was worried about taking three to the grocery store yesterday, but I think it was easier than shopping with just the boys...she helped load and unload stuff, kept an eye on Clement...  She is growing into such a fine young lady.  I am amazed at how she has changed over the past year.

6.  Yesterday evening our neighbors invited us over for homemade pizza.  We have the best neighbors.  Who knew when we bought this house eight years ago, that aside from the house and neighborhood/park/walking paths etc. suiting us so well, we would also end up with the nicest neighbors in the world. 

7.  I know I mentioned this on Facebook, but it bears mentioning again.  I just finished a beautiful book on prayer entitled Prayer Primer and it was a gem.  I have read several of Fr. Dubay's books recently, they are all fantastic.  One of my favorite parts in this book was the section on Family Prayer, specifically the way it explained teaching/encouraging meditation for young children.  I gleaned plenty of good information from it for myself as well, particularly on the subjects of meditative and contemplative prayer. Well worth the read, and it is a quick read, I think I finished it in six days.

Seven Quick Takes in which I talk about Christmas, night weaning, and mini-blinds

1. Night-weaning.  The baby turned two last week and as I mentioned in aforementioned post, I decided it was time to night-wean.  We went cold turkey (it was time...for him and for me).  It has been superawesomefabulous.  I have reminded him about it every night at bedtime (as he still nurses then), and nights have gone ahhhhhhhmazingly well.  The first two mornings he got pretty upset around 5:30a so I just laid with him and comforted him and talked to him and he worked through it.  Since then he just wants me to sit at the foot of his floor-bed if he wakes up and it takes him like thirty seconds to go back to sleep.  One night he went to bed at 7:30 and didn't wake up until 5:30a, at which point he started screaming that he wanted his shoes.  On his feet.  At a quarter-'til the butt-crack of dawn.  Oooooookay.  Aaron intervened for a bit and, well, we'll just say all's well that ends well (read: I am not always the nicest person in the  middle of the night when little people who should be sleeping are loudly making irrational requests).  When he got up for the day Gemma was like, "why is the baby wearing his shoes?"  Don't ask.  My kids are weird.
2. I found a super-quick way to dust mini-blinds that works so well and saves, like, an immense amount of time.  It works especially well on the wooden ones.  I would describe it but believe me I would bore you to tears.  Mini-blinds.  I am blogging about mini-blinds.  My life is sad.
3. We went and looked at some model homes last week on a "date" and as nice as they were, we both came away from the afternoon grateful for the home we have now.  Sure we'd like somewhere bigger someday, but right now there is happiness in our cozy, simple home.
4. The kids are in a Christmas frenzy.  We have been reading The Long Winter and of course this has Gemma planning and plotting all different kinds of wild ideas.  And then today the kids checked a Barney Christmas special out from the library so that really set things off.  They are busily making Christmas decorations at the table as I type.  And the baby is acting like a dog.  He just licked my leg.  Always entertaining around here.
5. I know lots of people like to knock the big purple dinosaur, but I'm just going to come out and say it.  I like Barney.  His messages are sweet without being over-the-top or proselytizing; and for real.  Those kids can DANCE!
6. Often if Aaron is not around for bedtime Gemma will put Kolbe to bed for me while I lay with the baby.  The other night I came in and she was telling him the epic story of Jesus.  It was epic.  And long.  But surprisingly accurate, and seriously, she was talking about GOD.  I couldn't bear to stop her.  But it went on for like 10+ minutes AFTER I came in the room to tell them goodnight.  She prefaced everything (I overheard her while laying with the baby) by explaining the difference between fiction and non-fiction to Kolbe.  I love that girl.  Best part, hands-down, when she talked about the time leading up to Jesus' arrest and said, "and then the bad guys came and talked to King Herrod about arresting Jesus, and he was like 'hold on guys, talk to me after the Passover'."  I had to stifle a laugh. 
7. I can sadly think of nothing more about which to talk (since mini-blinds and getting licked on the leg were so exciting), but I suppose I can always find a book to talk about.  We checked out Miss Moore Thought Otherwise from the library and it was a wonderful picture book about the history of children's rooms in libraries.  I am reading The Fault in Our Stars and seriously underwhelmed.  Why all the hype about that particular teen-fiction?  I have found nothing spectacular about it.

Check in with Jen over at Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes.

Seven Quick Takes: summer reads, ponies and plastic surgery

Seven Quick Takes is being hosted this week over at Team Whitaker.

1. Good books abound lately, we've all been doing lots of reading, myself included.  I read in such spurts it is ridiculous.  It's like 5 books at once or nothin' with me.  But I am enjoying this reading spurt I'm in and making the most of it.  Heck, maybe this time it will last.  When I was a teenager, and even a young unmarried adult I constantly had my nose in a book.  Not always the most practical thing anymore, but I do enjoy it when I can.  Currently on my end-table are The Book Thief (just started, the writing style is odd but I'm intrigued enough to keep reading); Siblings Without Rivalry (much as I loved How to Talk, this one just isn't quite resonating as much, so we'll see if I finish it); and The Hidden Power of Kindness (I really am liking this.  Reading a few paragraphs a day, just enough to munch on and mull over as I go about my day).  Some faves with the kids lately: The Hoppameleon, Thunder Cake and a few others by Patricia Polacco, and we're working on Caleb's Story (of Sarah Plain and Tall) and By the Shores of Silver Lake.
2. The kids, and even I, have been enjoying time by the (kiddie) pool on the deck.  It's just nice to be outside, even on the hot days.  Is it just me, or do other people's kids fight/spat less when they are outdoors?  I don't know what it is, but there is so much less drama when we 'take it outdoors'.
3. We are finally settling into a summer groove, the first part of June was packed with Art Camp, VBS and a family reunion, and now we pretty much have nothing, haha.  I love the more relaxed pace of our mornings and evenings, but honestly kind of miss the routine/structure that school brings during the day.  See aforementioned spatting.  ;-)  It's all good though.  Some days (like this morning) are great!  Playgroup, time at the library, everyone is relatively pleasant to each other for the most part.  And then some days (yesterday) I am ready to purchase the next ticket to anywhere but here.  OH life.
4. I saw this article about The Sign of the Cross on Facebook and it was so interesting and informative.  If you've ever wondered why some people make The Sign of the Cross "backwards", check this out.
5. Wow.  Only five?  Man, there is just not much going on.  How about pictures of the big kids riding the miniature pony at my sister's?  Gemma's legs were almost too long, haha.
    
6.  Every time I drive past the local Catholic hospital and see their marquis advertising cosmetic plastic surgery I am like, really?  Is that truly in line with your mission so much so that you promote it in big flashing letters for all to see?  For real??  So my hubby said I should look up their Mission Statement (see above link).  I am dubious.  Am I the only one who thinks about these things?
7. Clem has been showing some semi-serious interest in the potty.  Not enough to potty-learn, but enough so that I switched him from the pre-fold/snappi combo to Flip and a folded Econobum since it's a little easier and faster on and off.  He had been telling me he had to poop like 2-3 times an hour and I couldn't figure out what the deal was until I realized he was telling me when he was pottying.  So we're just kind of being chill about it.  Kolbe did the same thing when he was about this age but then didn't really potty-learn until around 3, so I have no high expectations.  Helping a child learn to use the potty is both exciting (no more diapers!!!) and exhausting (you have to go again???).

OK, that was seven.  I made it!  Not without talking about the weather and the toilet, but hey! what can I say?!  Happy June everyone, stay cool!