What I Like about Being Ten and What I Look Forward to about Being Older

I like being ten because that age is even, and can be divided by my favorite number, 5. (and 2) being ten means still being a 5th grader, because I have a new age for every new school year. Ten is just a great age in general. Being in fifth grade means a lot to me. It means being top in the school. It means having a great teacher. It means fun projects. And I want to be a fifth grader for as long as possible, because I don't want more responsibilities, like extra hard homeworks, and multiple teachers in a day.  In my opinion, ten is a prime time where you feel old, but you're not old enough to pay bills and taxes. Plus, It's easier to earn money because people would rather hire a sophisticated 10 year old, than a cute little 5 year old. What I look forward to about being older is that I don't  have to be asking mom, can I buy this? whenever I want to purchase something. More freedom, to drive around where I want when I'm 16. Or to be in high school. It sounds like a very great experience and I want to join the drama club. 

But overall, Ten has been my favorite age of all.

- By Luca

Extracurriculars

I love the idea of extracurriculars for my children. I love the potential skills and life lessons gained from learning a new instrument or playing on a sports team. I see the benefits my family and friends' children have gained from being involved and I have wanted that for my children. But what I don't love about the idea of extracurriculars is the time away from home during dinner hours they require. Nor have I relished the idea of having to regularly argue with my children about being involved in something against their will. It has never been a battle I have been willing to wage, especially since Matthew feels pretty similar about the whole idea.

But that hasn't stopped me from feeling guilty and depressed that I have failed my children and now they will forever be duds because I was too lazy to force the issue. When Luca asked me this morning for a blog prompt to enable to have more screen time, I told her to write about extracurriculars and how her not doing them right now doesn't make her or me bad people. 

I guess now, if she ever comes back to me later in life, upset with not pushing her harder, I have something to assuage my conscience.

  I don't do extracurriculars. But I am not a deficient person. I make up for that by doing a cooking club with my mom and having social time outside. I like roller skating, which is good exercise and makes my legs stronger. Something good that comes from not doing extracurriculars is mom doesn't have to drive me around like my uncle Paul. If I were to do an extracurricular, I would want to do something crafty or something that revolves around my interests. I am a great person without these things though. OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books) was a bit stressful but I kind of liked it, honestly. Plans for the future, however, include drama clubs like cousin Seth, and perhaps some kind of skating club?  I am starting to cook meals every month. Progress has been made to give me and my brother some more responsibilities. Dishes, meals, and some other stuff. This has been made to prepare us for life in the real world. 

I hope this makes you feel better about not forcing us to do something, mom.