7 Unrelated and Somewhat Interesting Quick Takes Friday

1.

John:  Mom, you're the second nicest mom in the whole world.

Me: Thank you.  Who is the nicest mom?

John: Mary, Jesus' Mother.  She was the nicest, right?

Me: Yes, Mary was definitely nicer than me.  

2.

My kids BUILT a swing.  They are awesome...they totally designed it and built it all on their own.  We are so NOT handy building-things people....which makes it double impressive in my book. And, it actually works works...and is safe enough I feel comfortable letting them swing on it.

When they swing, they put a towel over the sticks to make it more comfortable. 

3.

Do you know where the hell is Matt?  

  Matt Harding is a 30-something year old guy that travels around the world and takes videos of himself dancing (rather badly I might add) with different people in all different places.   They are heartwarming and funny and just cool all at the same time.   You should check it out!

4.  

This baby is incredibly smart.  Yes, I am unashamedly biased. 

yogurt mustache

Seriously...in last week's post on dealing with 1-year olds, in the comments  Laura asked about toddlers and throwing food.  So, I decided to actually try my own advice with my own toddler.  And surprisingly it works. Yes, I actually give advice without trying it.  Sad, I know.  Just goes to show you how big a discrepancy there can be between my parenting philosophy and my actual parenting practice. 

Anyway,  Elsa had been throwing food off her high chair tray when she didn't want it, so one day I told her that we don't throw food, showed her how to take food off her tray and put it on the table or give it back to me and "helped" her clean up food off the floor and put it on the table.  I only did this ONE time.  Well, ever since then, if you give her something she doesn't want on her tray, she takes it off and puts it on the table, instead of throwing it on the floor.  I was happily surprised that at the tender age of only 12 months, that she was able to learn that so quickly.

5.

Heidi is doing a class at coop called Pen Pal Ministry where they write letters to kids in Africa. 

Actual text from Heidi's letter. 

My mom is the best cook in the whole world.  Seriously, we always give her an A+.

Very nice huh....but what's even more funny is that she is obviously using the royal we, because I'm pretty sure no one else in this family is always giving my cooking an A+ .   Usually they complain about it.  At least I have one loyal fan.  I think I'll keep her. 

6.

Ben and I are really into  watching the Netflix TV show...Alias...circa 2001 (we watch everything a minimum of 10 years after it is produced.)  

If you like mysteries/spy movies/action/drama you might like this show.   It's about a CIA agent working undercover.  We've really enjoying watching it together...the only problem is that it's addictive because every episode ends on a cliffhanger.  It's weird...it's like every episode is really two halves of an episode and the other half of each episode is in either the next or the previous episode.  Okay..so that probably doesn't make any sense, unless you've watched it, and then it would make perfect sense.

7.

Thanks to everyone who offered prayers from my post on Sunday.  Please know that they are very, very much appreciated!  And thanks to everyone who gave me advice on freelance writing...again, it is very, very much appreciated!

Now, go see Jen for more Quick Takes. 

WIWS: When It's like a Million Degrees Outside

Welcome to WIWS when it's like a million degrees outside and my outfit was way too hot, but I didn't pick a cooler outfit for some odd unknown reason (like maybe because we were running super late).   Times like this, I really miss Florida, where at least we had central a/c.  In fact, I actually googled (more like swagbucked) what did people do before air conditioning? the other day.  The answer is apparently...not much...other than lie around in the shade and fan themselves. 

So, here is what I wore to be super late (like during the second reading late) for Mass.  Why were we super late, you might ask?  Well, I will just refer you to numbers 15, 16 and 19 of  this post.   And, add in a new excuse to boot, we forgot we had taken the car seats out of the van to go out miniature golfing with my siblings the night before and had to re-install them.   And, in case you were interested, I tied for last place with my older brother.  But, I had to miniature golf with Elsa on my back so I had an excuse for such a poor score.  My older brother on the other hand, well..he's just bad at miniature golf.

And, maybe, just maybe...taking these pictures might, just possibly have contributed ever so slightly to our lateness.  Maybe. 

This is apparently neutral day.  Shirt was thrifted.  Skirt is Old Navy.  Shoes are  from Payless.   And, the pearl necklace was a gift from my eldest daughter who acquired it at a yard sale. (Awwww).   Glasses are Zenni.  Perspiration is courtesy of 85 degree temperatures and a lack of central a/c. 

Then Ben walked into the room, so he hopped into the picture and you can all see what he wore Sunday..and then Greta and John hopped into the picture..so you can all see what they wore Sunday. 

Heidi was the photographer, so you don't get to see what she wore Sunday.

And, in the interest of full disclosure, Elsa did not wear this dress to Mass, because somehow between walking out the door and getting buckled into her carseat, she got muddy and dirty...and oddly enough, she can't even walk yet..so she gets carried everywhere.  So,. figure that one out.

Now, for report cards.  Elsa gets a C for Mass behavior...she is only 9 (almost 10) months old, but quickly turning into a toddler (probably just a few short weeks away from walking) and has decided that sitting on our laps and playing quietly with toys during Mass is so last week.  Spending the entire time trying to get down, crawl around, pull up on the pews and tear the Missal apart is much more fun. 

Now, go forth and check out FLAP for more WIWS fun!