3 more days of preschool.
9 more days of high school.
10 more days of 8th grade.
13 more days of elementary/middle school.
We're all just a tad over the top excited for summer break to get here.
And there is one more exciting countdown to mention...
1 more week until this here Ten Things of Thankful blog hop hits 100 weeks!!
I cannot even believe it has been that long since Lizzi approached me about hosting with her. We never would have guessed it would last this long. (I mean, we hoped, but you never can tell with this sort of thing.)
You must come back next week. And if you are a blogger, you must get your list ready. To celebrate, there will be contests! With prizes! Loads of fun and special badges and stuff only Lizzi knows. (She's keeping some things a secret even from us co-hosts.)
Until then, I have some things that made me smile this past week.
1. Blooming irises
Right on time. Every year each child in the school brings in a flower to decorate the church for May Crowning. I have never one time remembered to purchase flowers the night before, so every year the kids are outside in the flower bed snipping off some irises.
 |
| Low morning light + Bryan anxious to leave = blurry photo |
It may have felt like spring took a long time to get here, but according to the irises, it was right on time.
2. More school tradition: After Mass, the 8th graders are dismissed for the day. The entire class and their parents go out to lunch together. It was such a nice way to spend a day, even if Star and all the other kids chose to sit at tables away from their parents. (We knew it would happen, seeing as how the same thing happened when Phoenix and Buttercup were 8th graders.)
3. My entire life, I have never been a napper. Even after I had kids, I wasn't all that good at napping. Recently, though, I have mastered it. I don't know if it's age or what, but when I don't get a good night's sleep, I can take a 10 minute power nap right in the midst of the chaos that is our house. Took a couple this week. It amazes me how quickly I can fall asleep and how much those 10 minutes refresh me.
4. We have had the most perfect weather this week. It was even warm enough to get the sprinkler out this afternoon.
 |
| The chickens are j-e-a-l-o-u-s. |
5. Our maple tree is making helicopters for the first time ever.
6. Technology is amazing. I was able to surprise a special someone with a phone call (using WhatsApp) from across the big pond for her birthday. Sure, the phone call was a lot like long distance calls from days of old, where the connection is bad and the delay is real, but it was a live, international, free call that she wasn't expecting.
7. It's so nice to live in the country, where no one cares what our yard looks like.
8. Each year the 7th grade teachers host an Etiquette Lunch for the kids in 7th grade. The kids get all dolled up and have a lesson in table manners and place settings. The boys and girls are paired up, so they can practice manners such as pulling out a chair for a lady, standing when she leaves the table, and walking the girl on his arm as they make their way to the dance floor. A couple from church then teaches a little dance lesson. Giant had a great time.
9. Turken is loving baseball. He's doing well (18/18 for the season so far!) and learning a lot. We are especially thankful that he was not injured before the game on Tuesday. As they were warming up, the coach was hitting fly balls for the boys to catch. Turken lost it in the sun, and the ball thunked right on the top of his head. We heard it in the stands. He kept going, bending over to pick up the ball, tears running down his little face. I made him come out for a thorough look-over, but he was anxious to get back. I'm happy to say, he is just fine. In fact, the next day, when Bryan asked him how his head felt, he replied, "I would forget that it even happened if people stopped asking me about it."
 |
| You would never know he was having fun. He never, ever smiles during a game. Serious stuff, baseball is. |
 |
| Foul ball! |
10. Out of the blue, a song came to my head yesterday. I haven't heard it in a long, long time. As in years. In trying to find the version I have in my head, I found the background to it. Wow. This isn't the version I was looking for, but the story. wow. I still really like the song. It's comforting, but do not play this song if you are already emotionally unstable and trying to avoid ugly crying.
So, that's it for me for this week. What happiness would you like to share?
AND DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR LIST TOGETHER TO LINK UP NEXT WEEK!
Have a lovely day!
Your hosts
A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, The Meaning of Me, Thankful Me, Uncharted, The Wakefield Doctrine
Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group
FRIIIIIST!
ReplyDeleteyes, ma'am!
Delete1. I love irises but hate gardening, so since the house didn't come with irises, alas, I have none.
ReplyDelete3. I never was a napper, either, but the last couple of years, I have become one. I never would have believed a 10 minute power nap would be so rejuvenating!
4. Jealous chickens - hahahaha!
5. We had two big maple trees in our backyard when I was little. My brother and I used to fill a dishpan with helicopters and fling them up in the air. It was magical!
7. My yard looks a lot like that. People around us care. Too bad.
9. I was thinking he was playing t-ball and 18/18 was kind of a joke. He's really hitting a pitch each time - awesome!
10. That song is in the Methodist hymnal, and I've always loved it. I particularly love the version you posted.
1. Funny story...When we bought the house, these gigantic leaves grew but no flowers ever bloomed. There were gobs of them. I, not having a single clue about gardens and plants, dug them all up and threw the bulbs out into the treeline of our property. The next year, beautiful irises were blooming in the tree line around the house. AND it seems I didn't get all of the bulbs. They popped up in the flower bed,too. I guess they just needed to be thinned out. I'll be separating them this year, as they are getting clumpy.
Delete3. It is surprising.
4. :)
5. That sounds like loads of fun! I'll encourage the kids to give it a try.
7. Too bad indeed.
9. Nope, not t-ball. Coach pitch. All that time playing in our yard is paying off.
10. Great song. I had no idea about the guy who wrote it.
Your season is so far ahead of mine! Dandelions are just starting to show here and yours are already puffs. I do love irises, but I don't have the right type of yard for them.
ReplyDeleteI am the queen of naps - as much as I adore a good nap I would rather have my mother's energy than my father's napping skills.
Fortunately, the irises were already here. I am no flower expert, and I never would have thought to plant them.
DeleteEnergy would be more helpful than an ability to nap, but at least we have one of them. :)
You always have the best lists.
ReplyDeleteAnd the photos this time are exceptional--the sprinkler boys, the iris, the dandelions, the ballplayer. Ah, you've captured all the glory of early summer right there.
Thank you!
DeleteEarly summer is my most favorite time of the year.
That video is very inspirational, and yes, there were tears. I especially like the photo of Turken taking in the game, the strategy. His face is full of focus. Like a pro. It's funny how the blooming of certain perennials can be matched up with occasions in the year. The iris are a testament to May Day. Here it is the rhododendron that makes its appearance around Mother's Day. Oh, and I'm glad I participated in the Tuesday 10 this week. It was fun.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea the story behind the song was so emotional!
DeleteHe is quite the determined little player. :)
I like the predictableness of perennials. That, and I don't have to do any work to make the yard pretty. ;)
It is a fun link up. They come up with some good list ideas.
It is exciting to think of summer breaks.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
It certainly is!
DeleteThank you!
What a touching song , and story.
ReplyDeletemy oh my, that boy takes baseball very serious ;); he's got game! Glad he wasn't hurt, hate when kids get hit in the head.
Irises are beautiful - very nice indeed that you can walk to your flower bed and are flowers-ready that is great. Etiquette lunch, count downs and happiness shared - it's all good and great!
Isn't it?
DeleteIt is a very serious business apparently. :)
It is all good, for sure.
I remember the summer breaks. It's great and when school starts we're ready for some quiet if only for a few hours.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to talk about our yard. We just don't spend much time in the yard. Our neighbor on the other hand has the perfect yard. Perfect.
You've much to be thankful for and I always enjoy your weekly post.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
I love summer break. I'll probably like school better next year than this year, since I won't have a half day school and Phoenix will have his license. I will be in the car WAY less than this year.
DeleteWe had neighbors with the perfect yard. In fact, when we were getting ready to move, a neighbor made the comment, "Well, they are finally taking care of the yard. They must be getting ready to sell it." :)
I'm glad you like them. I most certainly do.
have a good weekend and Happy Mother's day
ReplyDeleteThank you! Have a wonderful Mother's Day yourself!
DeleteI would venture the chickens were more thankful to be dry than jealous. love the dandelion shot!
ReplyDeleteHa! No doubt. :)
DeleteThanks!
I'm with Zoe--although your photos are always good, the dandelion one really caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kristi, loved the dandelion photo! I also love the story of that song. That song was played at my Grandma's funeral, and now seeing that deeper meaning it fits even better. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, lots of votes for the dandelion. Funny how something so despised by so many can be so pretty.
DeleteI am glad to know the story behind the song, so I figured others would be interested, too.
I can't believe the school year is coming to a close so soon!
ReplyDeleteI love your May Crowning tradition - what a nice way to spend an afternoon at that crossover period from grade school to high school. As for flowers for the Blessed Mother...this week was first and fifth grade's turn to take in flowers to put on the table before her statue at school. Zilla wanted to. She reminded me, God love her. But I was so sick I couldn't even remember to tell the Hub to run and get some. Never did I wish for a garden as much as I did this week. But I think since we didn't make it (and believe me SO many others did and not every kid, either, so it's all fine), we'll get some to take to church tomorrow and leave in front of the Pieta statue - the Mother of Sorrows - because two reasons. Kidzilla loves that statue for some reason and I know far too many mothers who sorrow for various reasons. So yeah. And maybe we'll make a trip to my Grandparents' grave tomorrow, too.
The sprinkler photos are great - love that face in the first one. Rapture. Or cold water. Could be either. :D But gorgeous.
Social etiquette training...I just love that. It's a lost art...or skill...and I think that's sad. I was so disgusted at the high school where I taught when prom time came and the kids had no idea how to act in that regard. Even weddings I've attended - young adults have no idea! I remember learning those things from grandparents, parents, relatives, even friends of the family. A gentleman leaves his jacket on for dinner, but unbuttons it when he sits down. A lady should not place her pocketbook on the dinner table. Leave your napkin on your chair if you must leave, not the table. Say please and thank you. Sigh. I promise you mine will know!
That is a beautiful version of that song - one of my favorites. The group Selah does a spectacular version as well. I did not know that story, either.
And now that I've left you the longest comment ever...I'm off. Have a great week!
I know! I'm happy for the break, but time is going way, WAY too fast! My oldest will be moving into his JUNIOR year of high school!
DeleteThat sounds like a good compromise. There are always people who forget at our school, too. There are always kids who bring in extra to share with those who don't have any. I love our school families. :)
He said the sprinkler made a shower, and he was standing in it.
It is an art that many do not know, for sure. Plenty of things can be blamed for it, but I think much of it has to do with the more laid back society we live in. When people wear their pajamas to the store, they probably aren't really concerned about pocketbook placement. :/
I will check Selah's out! Thanks.
Nothing wrong with a long comment. I leave them all over the blogosphere. :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the commenting in triplicate!
ReplyDeleteUm, I'm thinking we're way past triplicate now. :)
DeleteSorry for the commenting in triplicate!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, our Violet would be in heaven in your yard :-) She's getting so excited over every dandelion she sees on the way to kindergarten. IF we have time, we stop, blow off the little parachutes and make a wish :-) Have a wonderful Mother's Day and great new week, Christine!
ReplyDeleteOur yard is a kids' dream! When I was trying to take the photo, Cuckoo was behind me, kicking them and sending seeds flying.
DeleteThank you! Have a gorgeous Mother's Day yourself!
But apparently duplicate posts are OK. What is wrong with my computer?!
ReplyDelete:) It has been doing that a lot lately. Perhaps your computer thinks you are making spectacular points and just wants to make sure they are noticed.
DeleteThank you! I'm surprised by the number of people who picked that as their favorite.
ReplyDeleteIt was marvelous! To talk to you AND the birthday girl. :)
Hahaha!! I hope we live up to the standards in your mind.
Yeah, wait until you want/need to have a good, hard cry. Then listen. It's a good one.
NICE!
Your children are so adorable as always. The irises have bloomed here too. They seemed in abundance this year -- along with the dandelions. We had a forest in our yard too.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks.
DeleteLast year I noticed there were an abundance of dandelions all over town. This year it seems even worse. I'm not sure we even have any grass anymore.
hey! I never realized that dandelions open and close like, I suspect, pretty much any other flower-based plant! I only noticed the other day because I went out hunting dandelions in the (new) front lawn. the side and backyards are, like, total fields of yellow flowers, but I have hope for the new grass, so I walk around it with a steak knife in hand (for some reason, Phyllis got all upset when I said, 'why the drawer with the forks and knives, of course')
ReplyDeleteThe Etiquette Lunch sounds like an awfully good idea… maybe old-fashioned, but I'll maintain that people still appreciate the better manners
You are such a guy. Clearing out the weeds with a steak knife from the kitchen?!?! You are lucky Phyllis is such a forgiving lady... ;)
DeleteI'm all for old-fashioned manners!
Ohhhh irises. I love them almost as much as lilies. Much to be thankful for!
ReplyDeleteThey are fabulous flowers. And sturdy, which is good, 'cause we are not good about taking care of the flower beds.
DeleteYes, it's great that the break is coming...we're about to get one here too, once the exams are over! Revv up for the summer!
ReplyDeleteYes, the high school kids will be taking exams the last 4 days of school. Then...SUMMER!
DeleteChristine, I lovelovelove that 7th grade Etiquette Lunch! What great teachers your school has to come up with that!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it marvelous?! I think it's a great idea, too.
Delete