Baby laughs

Love those baby laughs. He's hysterical. What did we do for entertainment before kids?

Tomatoes

Now I know why my mother always canned late at night.
The demands of the day didn't allow it.
The baby needs changed and nursed and changed again.
The children need tending.
There are meals to be made, dishes to be done and errands that don't run themselves.
A Husband who may or may not be home at a resonable hour to lend helping hands.
The laundry pile grows and grows and
The phone rings again and again.
The baby need attention again and the dishes washed up once more.
The jars must be found and cleaned,
Counter space prepared and things in order.
And the heat! Nothing is ever ready to be put up in the middle of winter when your house needs heating up.
I wondered today how my grandmother and her mother's did it,
For whom preserving the summer garden was an absolute necessity.
Tomatoes wait for no woman.
Today I miss my mother and grandmothers deeply.
Canning is a multi-generational sport.

Photography Class

Here's the link to Justin's final photography assignment. He had to have 20 themed photos. He chose sacrifice as his theme and I think they turned out very well. He's got a great perspective. I just love that man.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76964960@N07/

Goodbye Elementary School

Good bye Elementary school. Goodbye recess, one classroom, one teacher, and hello to growing up a little too fast.

 Adam's academic achievements this year include taking first place in Speechmasters and in Math Olympiads in his school. He participated in Elementary Math Field Day and the UCSD Math literary group. He was on the President's Honor roll and received 2 classroom citizen awards. It was a good year for him.

On to middle school. Homeroom, changing classes, time management, girls, new friends and growing up a little too fast. Unless we end up homeschooling, a distinct possibility this coming school year. Time marches on....

4 months already

4 months already... It seems time flies when you aren't pregnant. He's darling and we can't imagine a day without him.

At 4 months old he's 17.5 lbs and 26 inches long. He can roll both ways when he feels like it, which isn't very often. He's such a happy kid. Even when he starts getting fussy, he tries hard to be happy. He's not as interested in his fingers anymore, which is kind of sad. I hate being a slave to the binky. He's discovering those hands will do what he wants a little bit and loves to try and stand up on your lap. He babbles and coo's and I swear he cries "Mama". He's decided bottles are for the birds and will have none of it. So much for babysitters... He's got the bluest eyes and the happiest laugh. He's adored by his brother and sister and doted on by his parents. We are a blessed family.

Speech Masters

Adam competed this year in Speech Master's. This was his speech in the finals. He won for his school! He's a great public speaker. Way to go kiddo!

A new look

 

This morning I had finally had it. The crying, screaming and hiding the hair brush had to end. I have a total of 6 hairbrushes in this house and all of them were in hiding because my darling daughter hates to get her hair brushed. She wants it to be long and beautiful and down to the middle of her back, but can't stand the brushing. I can't stand the brushing either.

So, we talked about it and decided it was time for a cut, a new style, something different and fun. We searched the internet for some pictures of something she might like to try and she picked out the above picture. She loves the colors and the lipstick. {Ummm. you are 5. Not going to happen. Even when you are 15, NOT going to happen.} We kept looking. She didn't like most of what she saw. When I asked her what it was she wanted, she chose a short wedge style. That was a little shorter than I wanted to go, so we compromised. Not quite to the ear, higher than the chin with some layering in the back to give it some style.

It turned out really cute but I still wasn't prepared for the change, even though I wanted it. She went from little girl to big girl in just a few snips. Kindergarten, here we come!