1 After a sobering visit at the dentist yesterday, I’m researching oral health and how to Cure Tooth Decay.  Most fascinating. 2 The benefits of sleep and exercise has been another area of health we have been targeting lately. Some family members have made personal changes in their routine and it all makes a difference. 3 Princess has been struggling with fractions, which has then led to the realisation that, first we need to revise multiplication.  I am also checking out various living math sites: Living Math, The Reading Nook, Best Children’s Books, and love2learn.There are some wonderful living books to choose from, I prefer the sites though that group by age target as well as sub-topic. 4 Check out…

1 Motherhood is possibly one of the biggest challenges in life that many of us will undertake, yet, it is also one of the most rewarding.  The fulfilment that one can find within the struggles is something I’ve longed to put into words, this post expresses it well, “But for many of us, the majority of our life is composed of a series of small sacrifices and sufferings, and we simply cannot change these. So let us accept them; embrace them, even. For surrendering to our daily duties will mold our souls into the saints God wishes us to be….” 2 Months ago when I shared an Anna Maria update, I only shared a brief…

1 This week for the first time I listened to a Justin Bieber song.  Honestly, I  do not see the attraction, I just couldn’t stand his voice. 2 One task I’ve undertaken over the holidays has been tidying our library.  I’ve dusted the shelves, removed all doubles and culled a few books as well.  The library’s looking warm and inviting again. 3 Having Anna Maria home for the holidays has been lovely.  We’ve enjoyed a mix of activities and sleep, lots of sleep;)  Movie nights, ice-cream dates, Singstar sessions, LAN party, birthday parties, mother/daughter afternoon tea, family baptism, ten pin bowling.  Three whole weeks of having our girl home:) 4…

I’ve been rather spasmodic with writing 7 Quick Takes, haven’t had a lot to say, however both PC and Anna Maria have been lamenting that I haven’t written, so getting back into the groove for my two loyal fans. 1 Anna Maria will be home from Uni tomorrow!:):) We have been counting down days for a few weeks now.  We really, really can’t wait to see our girl:)  It has been nearly three months since she was last home. 2 My brother Chris has been blessed with his second son.   We are yet to visit, but my, the baby looks gorgeous. We really can’t wait to see our new…

1 We are now the proud owners of a new digital piano.  It’s tones are awesome,  we are very excited and have been playing on and off all afternoon. 2 Bass has a wonderful sense of rhythm, he sways and rocks to any music and can clap in beat.  Definitely a musical interest. 3 This week our younger ones have spent hours outdoors playing on the swings, slide and trampoline and building cubbies in the underbrush.  Some days the winter sun has been inviting, other days it has been rather cold and windy but they have been undeterred.  They disappear outdoors following breakfast and only re-merge for meals.  This sort of playing makes my…

1 This week concludes our May Photography Challenge.  To have a photography assignment daily, and in a variety of areas has been most instructional.  I believe all participants have had a lot of fun and improved their photography skills.  Now I’m wondering what next? I’m considering joining Elisa Loves in her weekly Nature Walk and then Chareen mentioned the DPS Weekly Photo Challenge, I know I’m keen to continue learning and improving my photography skills. 2   PC took a few days off work this week to complete laying the deck, we were keen to be done! Whilst we didn’t quite make that goal, we are close. Once the deck is completed a whole slew…

1 Bass has mastered a new skill, a rather scary skill.  He continually climbs onto the table despite the fact that he can not even walk! He pulls the chair out, clambers up and onto the table.  In an effort to dissuade this behaviour we tried removing the chairs from under the table and lining them along the wall.  This was of little use however as he just pushes the chair across the room to the table and climbs up still. It is all rather exhausting trying to stop him. 2 A friend was bold enough to share that she dislikes comment verification, I’m going to join her in saying, “me too!”  It takes up…

1 Today a couple of dear friends, my daughter, baby and I headed north to a local book sale. It has been ages since we’ve been to a booksale, arriving at opening time was a great decision as was taking cloth bags (plastic bags break when you overfill;).  With the cost set at $6 a bag and children’s books free!!! we were guaranteed to find some bargains.  We came home with five huge bags full of gorgeous picture books as well as a number of other treasures.  My best find of the day was an OOP Vision book, but the absolute BEST find of the day was discovered by friend…

1 I played tennis this week for the first time in years, at one moment I even thought I may have a chance at winning a game;)  I was however rather sore the following day. I loved playing tennis as a teenager, I’m not certain why I didn’t continue playing. Next week I’m playing again and this time I might just win one game:) 2 I’m pondering plans and direction for our 11th Grader, he is not certain whether University or a Trade is his path.  Just what are the most important skills to graduate with, which studies should receive the most emphasis?  I’d love to know what readers think to these…