jam

As a city girl, the art of homemade jam is both foreign and fascinating.

I love fruit and the idea of having your very own trees sounds glorious.  (Now, I can tell you by experience that getting trees to produce fruit has proved a harder test of patience  than I expected.)  And the idea of having so much fruit you can't eat it all is amazing to me.

So yesterday, when a friend offered me a lot of apricots off her tree I jumped at the opportunity to make jam (with some very specific directions from her - a seasoned jam maker).

 

 I got everything out on the counter and ready.

Put Peter down for a nap (a seriously key step in the process).

And Hannah and I got to work.

Apricots, fresh lemon juice, pectin,  

  

add the sugar and our jam is boiling! 

 

 It passed the taste test!

Jarred, sealed and ready to enjoy!

Feeling pretty proud of myself right now.

goodbye school, hello summer

Last week Hannah finished her first year of preschool.

In terms of last days, it was pretty awesome.
Peter and I tagged along for it because the whole day was rearranged into a carnival.

The kids earned tickets for every activity they tried.

There was face painting

 

pony riding,

bowling, ring toss and so much more!

As soon as they had two tickets they could trade them in for a "prize" - a new to them trinket (that we parents had cleaned out of our houses the previous week).

Hannah and her buddy Sailee finished the year, where their friendship first began - at the art table!

 

It was pretty sweet!

Peter decided art wasn't for him and would rather crash trucks together with Barrett.

Last circle time.

Teacher Jackie and Mr. Monkey singing "It's time to say goodbye to our friends" for the last time.

A last hug for Teacher "Kath -uh- leen" (as Hannah calls her)

Goodbye School.

Hello Summer!

We kicked off summer with a trip to Impossible Acres (a local, family-owned farm) to pick some fruit!

 

Oh yes, and to sample some along the way.

The trees were laden with apricots, white peaches and cherries!

Peter spent the whole time either eating fruit (from the trees and the ground) or
running to catch up with us.

My attempt at getting a picture with my kiddos.
(I think my 50mm lens is too short, either that or my arm is.)

 

 

Happy, berry stained face by the end.



Our delicious pickings!

I love summer and the fruit it brings.

one happy momma

Today I am far away from these smiling faces.
And missing them a bit.

I am getting a break and really quality time with my beloved grandparents.



These antics are occupying Daddy for the weekend!

I took these fun pictures on Mother's Day.

Both kids stood in our splash pool, doing the hula and singing "Happy Momma's Day!"
(Okay, Peter sounded more like "Mama, Mamma", but he hula-ed right along with Hannah)

 

 

I love my job.

I love my kids.

 

This is one happy momma!