Seven speedy ones because it’s late, and I need to get to bed.

1. I started a series on how to write up your own lesson plans. The goal was to get part one and two up this week, but Teddy decided to start insisting “I’M AWAKE!” around four a.m. the last few days so blogging, like many other things cough personal hygiene cough, have been tossed aside in the weary stupor. I don’t even know what the deal with this kid is anymore. So anyway, part two coming early next week. In the mean time, check out some of my favorite homeschool posts from the past! #flashbackfriday

The Best Methods, You’ve Never Heard Of, to Occupy Toddlers During School (These also work if you’re just trying to make dinner or go to the bathroom alone.)
Planning to Prevent Burnout Now
Outside the Classroom: How to Find Your Homeschool Community
Your Child WILL Read
Learn From My Preschool Mistakes: A Letter to Myself
Homeschool Mom Crush

2. Even before Teddy’s night time antics, my sleep quality had taken a nose dive. I’ve been waking up constantly, tossing and turning, ruminating on whether or not tonight would be the night a bat would get stuck in my hair. With school quickly approaching I decided I needed to take better care of myself and set aside the diet of nachos, secret candy and ice cream hidden under a mountain of sugar cubes…or something similar.

I actually decided to complete another Whole30, sort of. It’s a Whole14! My husband jumped on board too, which is a huge help. It’s only been a few days, and I’m going easier on myself than the first time around which means I’m probably only consuming about 90% approved foods, but it’s way better than how I was eating. For several months following my first Whole30, I managed to make better food choices, but our crazy summer schedule means the only vegetable I’ve been consuming regularly is gummi worms. Yes, I’ve come to let myself believe that gummi worms represent a healthy food source. All the while telling my kids to please eat more fruit and “Stay out of the kitchen while I make dinner!” …and hide in the refrigerator devouring hidden chocolate.

3. Super cool and trendy ME went to a popular music concert last Sunday. Tony and I scored some free tickets from friends to what was considered the music event in South Jersey; Maroon 5 on the Atlantic City beach. I’m not the biggest Maroon 5 fan, but I was totally moving like Jagger the whole time until I’d dug my dancing self into a pit in the sand and required a beach patrol rescue. I only snagged a couple pictures because I was so busy enjoying the show / moving mountains of sand with my toes. But there were some people around me recording the show on their phones the whole time. Why would you come to a live concert just to stare at your phone screen??? I’m going to assume these are the same sorts of people that actually enjoyed the Nick Jonas opening act.

Who spent the evening at a Maroon 5 concert on the Atlantic City beach? THIS GAL!!!! And yes I totally screamed like a tween at a One Direction show. #noshame #doac #latergram #maroon5

A post shared by Kelly Mantoan (@kellymantoan) on Aug 16, 2015 at 7:06pm PDT

4. Speaking of pop music, can someone please explain to me this song about not being able to feel your face? That is not an expression of love or physical attraction. It’s very likely you’re suffering from a stroke and should seek medical attention.

6. I finished reading Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

In a nutshell, it describes how making gut decisions can actually be a good thing and how gathering tons of information can sometimes hinder our ability to make the right decision or, surprisingly enough, cause us to make the wrong one. He also talks about what causes us to make bad decisions under pressure. Fascinating stuff, but pretty sure I’m going to second guess all my decisions from here on out.

7. I did my second ever radio interview last Friday with Leticia Ochoa Adams of The Ramblings of a Crazy Face on Real Life Radio. I love that those of us who were trying to grab 40 blessed minutes of sleep during the live broadcast can listen to the interview as a podcast!  Thus far, my limited podcast and radio engagements have not been as terrifying as I imagined. I haven’t uttered an obscenity or accidentally revealed embarrassing or private information….that I recall. If you have a podcast or radio show and want to listen to me yammer on about sleep deprivation, popular music, homeschooling, SMA or this nasty scar on my knee that I got from just bumping into my couch the wrong way, drop me an email! I’m on a roll! #kellyforpresident2016

Be sure to link up your takes below and please include a link back to this post so your readers can find the rest of the Quick Takes! I look forward to reading your posts!