Monday, August 24, 2009

Bits and Pieces of Our Days

Last month, Ramona had her seventh birthday.  We were luxuriating in a fully equipped cabin camping at the time, however, so the birthday party didn't happen until this weekend:

* Six deliriously happy little girls
* Unspeakable amounts of chocolate and sugar and artificial dyes
* Balloons and presents and streamers
* My much-needed nap after everyone went home (yes, I needed a nap even with Amazing Betsy jumping in and acting like the best Kindergarten teacher you could imagine. It seems like just a breath ago that Betsy turned seven ... now there is nothing seven about her. Sigh.) 

And now, Ramona is officially, truly, madly, deeply seven.

Here she is, working on party invitations: 



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School planning continues. My head is spinning -- I have two teenagers and a second grader. When did that happen? Somewhere between camping and unspeakable amounts of chocolate.

And speaking of truly, madly, deeply that's how much I love Teaching Textbooks.  And no, I am not fickle.  I am simply spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of math books available ... the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat (cue the calculator smashing into the wall.)

No Teaching Textbooks for Ramona, though. I'm more informal in second grade, though she's requested a workbook with a princess on it. I can handle that.

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Work, work, work ... write, write, write ....

I have an article about novenas in the September/October issue of OSV's The Catholic Answer.  My article is not available online (though other great stuff is, so be sure to visit the link) unless you're a subscriber. So subscribe already!

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Stuff we're reading and about which I'll write more soon:

Chocolate Unwrapped: The Surprising Health Benefits of America's Favorite Passion (thanks, Lissa)

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals(thanks, Maria)

The City of Emberseries.

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I have a new virtual coffee cup up there. Do you like it?

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My time is up.

8 comments:

Lissa said...

Karen, how funny, I just posted a Michael Pollan article for Jane to take a look at, plus an interesting response by a farmer. I loved Pollan's BOTANY OF DESIRE book and have been wanting to read Omnivore's Dilemma. Can't wait to hear what you think.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Ramona :)

Roxane B. Salonen said...

Karen,

Enjoyed seeing Ramona hard at work on her invites. :) Reminds me of my daughters when they set their minds to do something.

Yay for chocolate! :)

And all best getting ready for school. Will look forward to reading you through the school year.

Roxane

Lenetta said...

I'm interested in hearing more from you (and Lissa) on Omnivore's Dilemma. I have only read a rebuttal article, actually, and forwarded it to my farmer-hubs to get his opinion. I can tell you that from this side of the cow (and the corn), things look a bit differently. But there is so much involved on both sides. Mercy. Anyway, can't wait to hear what you have to say on it.

sarah said...

happy belated birthday to Ramona.

momto5minnies said...

We love TEACHING TEXTBOOKS too!

Erin said...

We've just discovered the City of Ember books too and they are making their way around the family 'reading circle.'

Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle said...

Yes, I noticed the coffee cup. :) Happy Birthday to Ramona. I couldn't read your article over at OSV. Can't remember if I'm a subscriber or not! :)