7 quick takes friday (vol. 10)

I skipped a week of Quick Takes because, though the takes are supposed to be quick, posting them has proven to be more time-consuming for me than the normal posting. However, I enjoy both trying to come up with a summation of my week and reading the postings of other quick-takers, so, I’ll keep going with them, perhaps every other week or so to vary things. Below, find this week’s version. For others’ takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

—1—

VISIT TO THE RED RIVER ZOO: I had a fabulous time Wednesday taking part in last-week activities with the kids’ classes. In the afternoon, I followed the yellow school bus and third-graders to the Red River Zoo. Our local zoo is fairly small and still growing, but it was an absolutely perfect day for a stroll through the grounds, and I captured some nice moments of the animals. Here’s a sneak peek:

This is a golden pheasant. My daughter Elizabeth was as taken with it as I was. Her thoughts: “It’s like a painting that got up and started walking.” I agree. Brilliantly amazing.

And this duck was discovered by one of the kids quite by accident. It was on the inside of a log that was part of the grounds’ natural decorations. The finder of the duck is an especially astute girl. Something about the log caught her attention; sure enough, there was a duck inside! It was very hard to see so I’m glad I caught it at just the right angle to share it with you here.

For a glimpse of the rest, go here.

—2—

MOM’S DAY LEFTOVER: Today, while looking through a pile of “things to be sorted” in my bedroom, my daughter pulled out a card my kindergartener had presented me on Mother’s Day. She was giggling as she read it, and I wanted to share his words with you.

The card, which was designed by his teacher, is headed: My Special Mom. The first parts of the lines (Italics) are provided; the kids fill in the blanks in the second half (bold). [I’ll add commentary in brackets.] Wish you could see the writing for real, but for simplicity’s sake and for better readability, I’m going to just type it out:

My mom is the most wonderful mom in the whole world. She’s as pretty as her smiyl. [Ahh, thanks!]

She weighs 89 pounds and she is 49 feet tall. [Wow!]

Her favorite food is salad. [He used a backwards “s” — love it.]

In the old days when my mom was little she used to read. [True — that is one of the things I did.]

I think she looks funny when she tickles me. [Really?]

I know my mom is really angry when she yells. [Who? Me? Ooops!]

I wish my mom would Go to Target with me every day.

I wouldn’t trade me mom for 1,000,000,000 dollars. [Ah, shucks…really? Thanks Adam!]

And the best part, at the end of the card in huge letters: Mom I Love You [Makes it all worth it, really.]

—3—

WE’RE GOING CAMPING! I finally talked my husband into trying to rough it for real this summer. He’s not one to stray far from air-conditioned sleeping quarters, but after some gentle coaxing, he’s agreed. I am looking forward to the adventure ahead. Not sure when it will take place, but I’ve got my work cut out for me planning the bulk of this outing for the seven of us. More to come!

ROXANA IS BACK HOME: About a month ago, I solicited prayers for Roxana Saberi, a local gal who was imprisoned in Iran, where she’d been working, on charges of being a spy. I’m glad Roxana has been freed. She will have much to share with us in the coming month and years. Go here for more.

–4–

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER: This means homework, piano lessons and soccer games give way to kids on bikes tearing around the neighborhood, drippy popsicles, s’more time out back in the evenings, hanging on the trampoline with the neighbors, later bedtime/later rising, the smell of mosquito spray and sunscreen, more walks with friends in the great outdoors, afternoons at the pool and, yes, a little more tension at home too as we try to move through our world together for many more hours than during the school year. I’m sure I’ll be calling on Calgon more than a few times, but there will be good times, too, I’m sure!

–-5–

“BABY” TURNS 9: Because she has such a long name, Elizabeth was referred to as “Baby” for her first couple years of life. The older two kids used to fight daily over who was going to sit next to “Baby” in the van. One day, “Baby” wanted to chime in. She was not quite 2, and, all bundled in her winter gear, yelled loudly at the door of the garage: “I want to sit by Baby!!!” (She didn’t know she was Baby; only that she’d been hearing this tired argument her entire life.) On Tuesday, “Baby” turned 9, and this weekend’s her double party with her classmate who shares her birthday week. It’s going to be her first pool party!

–6–

READ OF THE WEEK: After numerous trips to the library to check out Kelly Corrigan’s The Middle Place, only to find out it was still out on a three-week loan, I finally bought it with a Barnes & Noble gift certificate my oldest daughter earned and then agreed to give me in a swap for a new shirt. I love memoir, and so far, I’m finding it interesting and well told; a story about familial love beyond anything else.

–7–

RUMMAGE SALE: I have never taken part in a rummage/yard/garage sale — ever. I’ve just never felt brave enough, not to mention, organized enough or crazy enough. Seems it’s a lot more work than what it might be worth. That said, this year I decided that if I’m ever to motivate my kids to get rid of their junk (and motivate myself to get rid of mine), giving them the carrot of “you will make money from selling whatever you don’t use anymore” could help them/us clear out the extras. And there are plenty of extras around here. More comes in than goes out. So, we’re going to give it a try. I’ve summoned the collaboration efforts of a couple neighbors. I will report the results soon. Suffice it to say, for now, that as I drag items out of the garage and put them in a “sell” pile, they are finding new life and love in the hands and hearts of my kids. Hmmm…we’ll see how much clearing we really do. It’s going to be harder than it seemed, I’m afraid, but I am determined to remove the weeds that have collected in our familial garden. I’ll post the results when they come in.

Have an amazing summer. Stop back again. In the meantime, if you’re a new reader, and even if you’re not, please leave a comment so I know who has stopped by. Introduce yourself, if you’re feeling extra generous. I love to meet readers.