Seven Quick Takes

1. How is it that my 3 year old sees a pair of scissors and thinks "ooooo a haircut".  When is she going to grow out of this??? I am going to have to give her a trim to fix it. Again. 

2. Am I the only one who doesn't like the term tweenager? I feel like we are pushing our kids to grow up to fast.  When I was a "tweenager" I was just considered a kid and all of the awkward growing up issues were just a part of growing up. It didn't have a label. A couple of girls in my daughters ballet class have started wearing make-up( 10 and 11yr olds). And then a 10 year old neighbor girl came over wearing make up. She told my girls she wouldn't last a day in middle school without it. WHAT???? Is this what is happening? My daughter Julia said "Mom, they are wearing make-up and they look ridiculous because they don't even need it! They are still kids!" 

3. I signed up for the Disney half -marathon for next January. 13.1 miles. I want to run a marathon someday, but figured I would start smaller. I have heard the Disney marathon weekend is awesome and if you are going to run one, Disney is it. I signed up already because the spots fill up fast. I have a year to train. I will start to seriously train in September. 

4. Our homeschool is doing well. Thankfully. Truth be told I had a very rough October and November. I was ready to pack it in and then Advent peacefully descended on us. I learned a couple of valuable lessons as I look back. We stopped all activities. (Scouts, sports, ballet was on winter break) We had quiet non crazy days at home. Children started to pitch in around the house more than they were. I started praying, really hard. Things are better. Let me ask you. What is the difference between burn out and realizing that your homeschooling lifestyle  is coming to an end? That is the question I wrestled with. I am assuming I had a bad case of burn out, because I am still here.

5. John Paul is standing up on his own now. He stands there and looks at you and laughs! The other children are encouraging this. I keep telling them to stop. I just heard squeals that he took a step! Where did this year go? How is it that he is going to be walking soon?

6. I am presently obsessed with gardening. Two more garden beds to be made. Terry is making them and they are turning out awesome. I am trying to plot out the beds in my head trying to decide what we are going to grow. The garden beds near the house need to be weeded. These beds are going to be my kitchen garden. I am thinking lettuce, fresh greens, herbs....

7. LAUNDRY. I give up.

for more quick takes visit Jennifer at Conversion Diary

Comments

[One Blessed Mamma]

The Disney Marathon/half marathon is definitely the way to go (NOT that I've ever run one). I volunteered for YEARS as a team leader for the course monitors, and that was the consistant comment I heard from runners year after year.

[violingirl]

I really don't get the make-up thing on young girls. They already grow up too quickly; no reason to push it forward even sooner.

As far as the February burn-out, Sarah hosted a winter burnout carnival recently. You may be interested in some of the links.

http://amongstlovelythings.blogspot.com/2010/01/loveliness-fair-short-circuiting-winter.html

[Melissa]

I like this Quick Takes Friday thing! How have I missed the makeup wearing ballet girls?? I'm getting mushroom compost tomorrow - very exciting!

[Stephanie]

Yep, the Feb blues are upon us. That is why I went to the Books and Beyond conference and the blues are not as bad this year.

I am constantly praying that Sophie will never discover scissors. Lorelai did last year and her hair still is not the same. Alas, it is just hair.

Ugh, the makeup thing. Yes, it is an ugly, ugly world out there. Funny how makeup makes it ugly. Liz and I have been having this struggle for the last year and a half.

I too don't care for tweenager or teenager terms. Teenager is still a relatively new term-1930s. I find that we keep coming up with new words that keep our children from being responsible. I believe in children having a childhood, but also given responsibilities. In this day and age, they are maturing faster physically, but mentally not required to be responsible until much later in life. Sad.

A half marathon sounds fun! I just signed up for a 5K to give me a kick in the pants. I am not sure if I can do a half marathon.

So how many garden beds will you have now?

[Jenny]

I think maybe the answer to #4 lis in #2. The end of the year/first of the year seems to be tough, but He led you through, Thanks be to God.

I enjoyed my first visit to your blog.

[Kirsten]

Ann Marie, The February blues. You must have it. It is very common this time of year for homeschooling moms. Try a fun unit study and just focus on math and reading for this month. Pray for re-inspiration. I will pray you through your burnout. (((hugs))) And I know how you feel!!!

[Gae]

Dear Kirsten,
Our 3 year old also cuts hair, as well as the 5 and 7 year old. It must have been something in the air.
When our oldest now nearly 21 was pre 13. I said we would never call the children teenagers and we don't - they are youths.
A bit fanatical perhaps but teenager has such conitations for me that I advoid it completely.
I have enjoyed this post thanks for sharing, as well your older post (especially Everyday Blessings)
God Bless

[am]

I'm glad your homeschooling is going well. I am feeling burnout ( I hope that is all it is!) right about now. Severe burnout.
That is exciting that you are going to do a half-marathon. I would love to do a bike race, but I know I never will - I mean I just know myself and know I never will do it. Yeah, the make-up thing? Yuck - just yuck.