7 Quick Takes (Volume 72)

1) WE SURVIVED BOOT CAMP!

Barely.

Hoss lived up to his word making our last week grueling. My whole body felt the sting every day, even our days off. Thankfully, no one puked, well, not technically, but every session ended with us sprawled out on the floor and Hoss laughing, getting some sort of sadistic pleasure out of our misery.

But he told us from the very first day we would thank him and I must admit he is right. I do have to thank him for the new muscles I've never seen in my body before.

And the ripples in my husbands gut. Grr. . . Nice work, Hoss!

To show us what a nice guy he is, Hoss is making us all lunch on Monday. He hails from the Dominican Republic, so we're getting authentic Dominican food. I hear he is a tremendous and HEALTHY cook. We don't even have to feel guilty about what we eat! I can't wait.

2) Miss Innocent One had funky feet day at school on Thursday. It's one of those times a mother just has to nod her head and bite her tongue.


Yes, I let my child leave the house this way. All day. Nominations for mother of the year can be left in the comments.

3) Miss Innocent One gets tired of being patronized by her older siblings, but when she tries to combat their notions of her, they don't really listen. Case in point, Ladies Man informed her she didn't understand a certain slang word.

Ladies Man: You probably don't understand what that means.

Miss Innocent One: Yes, I do. I'm not an idiot. You were in 5th grade once too, y'know.

Ladies Man: Yeah, and I was retarded. That's what I mean.

ARG!!!!!! I stand ground on her side, but then I get accused of favoring her. As the oldest child in my own family, it's good for me to finally understand the disadvantages the youngest faces.

But don't tell Kevin, Mr. Baby-of-the-family-who-can-do-no-wrong, I said that, okay?

4) For all our married life, my husband has teased me about my propensity to burn hot pads. I grew up with a gas stove. When you shut it off, the heat's gone, you know? We've owned an electric stove since I said, "I do." Hot pads bearing the signature circles from being left on burners, litter our marriage, giving Kevin WAY too much enjoyment from pointing out my neglect. I thought I solved the problem a few years ago when we installed one of those glass smooth stove tops. No more burned circles! I was certain his taunting days were over until he pointed this out to me.

Now I melt plastic. Sigh.

5) Miss Innocent One made me proud when she hopped into the van after school yesterday.

Miss Innocent One: I don't understand why kids my age (11) are dating.

Me: What?

Miss Innocent One: When we were walking out of school, one girl told us this boy broke up with this other girl and now she's crying her eyes out.

Me: Really?

Miss Innocent One: Yeah. Why would you even date in 5th grade?

Me: I don't know.

Miss Innocent One: They're always going on about it--who's dating who and who dumped who.

Me: They're not really dating, are they? Do they spend time together outside of school or do anything together?

Miss Innocent One: I don't know.

Me: Hmm. . .kind of weird.

Miss Innocent One: Those people get all dramatic about it. It's stupid. I don't get it.

And I'm so glad you don't, sister. So very glad.

6) Here's Drama Queen shakin' things down in drum line. She's the snare player in the middle. So intense when she plays, I'd never get in her way when she's got a pair of drumsticks in her hands.


It took me a few years to get used to the "drum line face." They're supposed to look serious and tough. She sure knows how to do it. You do an awesome job, Drama Queen. We're proud of you!

7) This Saturday is the Drum Line Championships for Drama Queen and Drummer Boy. We're all pretty nervous. Our kids are the reigning champs for 5 years and face some tough competition gunning to take them down. Last weekend they got beat by 1.9 points. It's sure to be a nail biter kind of day.

I've enjoyed watching Drummer Boy lead the group this year. I know I'm slightly biased, but I think he's doing a great job. He communicates well with both the kids AND the parents, knows his drumming stuff and pushes the kids to do their best. People have asked what Drama Queen thinks of having her older brother as an instructor. This picture answers the question.


Don't you love how they look like they truly LIKE each other?! Makes my mama's heart all tingly inside.

That's all I got today, folks. Enjoy your weekend and some other Quick Takes posts at Conversion Diary.