A Peek at our Lives: 7 QT about Strep (again!), ducks, piano, garden

Joining Jen for 7 Quick Takes!

Poor Hannah has been stricken with strep throat for the second time in recent history. The last time was about a month ago, so this seems really unfair, especially since she was supposed to go on a choir overnight tour with her choir and that was supposed to be…today and tomorrow. And she can’t go because strep throat + choir = no go. Besides not wanting to spread germs to everyone else, singing through multiple rehearsals in 24 hours is not so great for those with throat ailments.

I’m really hoping that nobody else gets it this time. Last time I got it and two other of the kids did, too. The kids were barely affected, but I was DOWN FOR THE COUNT. Poor Michael.

The ducks couldn’t be happier that Hannah isn’t going out of town so they don’t have to be terrorized by the crazy lady who is almost certainly out to kill them. (That’s me. I’m not really out to kill them, but try explaining that to ducks. I’m telling you: they DO NOT listen. Ever.)

It’s totally humbling that yesterday, when we had some friends over to see the ducks, Sim and the 3 1/2 year old were running races past where the ducks were lying peacefully in the shade, and the ducks…continued lying peacefully in the shade. If I walked into their line of vision – many feet away, and with no intention of doing ANYTHING to them, they all got up and started peep-peep-squawnking. How is a 3 1/2 year old running safer than I am? I promise that I have NEVER harmed a duck.

So the strep throat might actually be a plot on the part of the ducks to make sure that it’s Hannah who takes them in and out of their nighttime habitat.

Last Sunday afternoon the girls had a piano recital. They did a great job. It’s amazing how much they’ve learned in not-quite-two years. It’s awesome to see them learn and grow. Hannah was a bit nervous, and said to me beforehand: “Now I know what people mean when they say they have butterflies in their stomachs.” They both did beautifully, despite butterflies!

The piano instructor (also the pianist and organist at our church) said that once the recital was over, the girls could start learning to play songs from Frozen. We got a book of the sheet music on Wednesday (piano lesson day) and the kids now know ALL THE WORDS for ALL THE SONGS. This includes Sim and Tess. Sim can read them himself, and Tess hangs out and listens to the kids singing them over and over. Ridiculously cute is when Tess makes up ballet dances as she sings the songs.

Lovely weather = science in the driveway. The kids are working on their heart model here.

Also, lovely weather = garden going nuts! Whoohoo!

Bush English peas flowering away.

Salad daily. Sometimes twice daily. I’m going to have to start giving away lettuce so it doesn’t bolt before we can eat it. Or make lettuce smoothies? I imagine if I put in enough fruit, it would be pretty good.