Planning

Something is afoot....

Summer nears

Yet again, the end of the school year makes time fly for parents, while it creeps for the kids.  May has blown past, and June is well underway with barely time to draw breath. The kids complain about the boring days in class, where they are biding time and reviewing for finals. Our spring schedule wasn't quite as full this year without any graduation or music performances, but we've had a number of social events to fill up any empty spots in the calendar. 

Thus it is that I have nothing very interesting or compelling to say, other than we continue to exist and flourish in many ways and to struggle to stay afloat in others.  One minute we are reveling in the accomplishments of our children after an awards ceremony, and the next we are wondering how these children can be so lacking in common sense. If only they would just do as we say!

The three oldest, two home from college and one almost done with his junior year especially since AP tests are over, all have jobs for the summer. One is working for an architecture firm - excellent!- one is working for a pizza place because he waited too long to look for an internship, and the third works at the candy store, which he loves. The middle three kids will each do one camp this summer. We'll spend a couple weeks visiting family, and the rest of the summer I will listen to them complain of boredom, even though we are within walking distance of the beach, the library, the free movie theater on base, the cheap bowling alley on base, the park, the gym, the book store, the candy shop, and various friends' houses. And we have a lovely swimming pool in our very own backyard that gets used about an hour a week. How I miss a yard!

The youngest has taught herself the letters L, F, H, and E from looking at a letter book we have and watching Leapfrog educational videos that a friend gave us.  I don't feel so guilty about letting her watch TV when she is actually learning. She also told her sister that she was ruining her life when she didn't let her ride her scooter. When asked where she learned that saying, she blamed Leapfrog, so I guess I should preview. But I really thing she may have learned it from a sibling.  

Her other funny saying recently happened on a walk home from church.  It is about three quarters of a mile, and she likes to walk and not to ride in the stroller. However, last Sunday was warm and church had been full. She made it about halfway before melting down. My hands were full with bulletins and bags and I wanted her to get in the stroller, but instead she flopped in the grass near the sidewalk, and declared, "I am in sad shape!" I often feel that way myself when overwhelmed by stacks of papers that need to be recycled, the leftovers in the refrigerator, or the stack of papers in my desk that need to either be paid and filed, or recycled. Instead of the stack of "I'll deal with it later" stuff continues to grow daily. 

I have been occasionally reading short stories in Ha Jin's book  The Bridegroom.  I'm really enjoying it.  He writes in English although it is not his native language so it reads somewhat like a translation. His observations of human nature in a Communist country can be biting; most of the characters tend to be somewhat ridiculous, but at the same time Ha Jin makes the reader sympathize or feel compassion for these luckless people. 

One thing I need to deal with eventually is photos. I did finally finish a photo book a few days ago, which I began in 2013. Also, since we aren't moving this summer, I don't have a good reason to go through some boxes in the basement, but I need to clear out some things we haven't looked at in two years. I should even open the boxes. 

In order to defer responsibilities like that - or like making desserts for the luau- themed party we are having tomorrow - I am flipping through photos on my phone.  Here are a few of the younger girls: 

Father - daughter dance. Hair with roses is by brother. 

Our favorite little free library.  I know of 6 in a 5 mile square area. 

Our fruit salad tree has ripe fruit! Plums are flourishing and are small and sweet. I think they are the original stock. The grafted peach branch is almost dead, and the nectarine only has three fruits. Let's hope it ripens before it dies!

After the last all school mass. Someone thinks she is ready for kindergarten although she still has some milestones to hit.

Surprise! A good hiding place once, but not safe, I know.