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!

party time

May is a month full of celebrations for our family.
2 kids born 2 years and 1 day apart means lots of birthday celebrations!

We started it out this year with a Curious George themed party.
It seemed very appropriate as Hannah loves watching Curious George and Peter is, well, a monkey at heart.

Daddy dressed up as The Man in the Yellow Hat for the occasion.

And we had Curious George masks for all the kiddos.



But I actually think more fun was had by the adults

as their inner monkey came out!

There were bubbles galore.

And plenty of willing hands to pump out more!

I made a ball pit out of a kiddie pool and 150 small plastic balls that was a hit with the younger crowd.

 

 

  Cake is, of course, an important part of any party.

 

 

 

And, the chocolate crazy cake

was savored by all.  

(especially the boys)

It was great to have dear friends from college, from church, 

 

from school 

and of course family to celebrate with!

It's amazing to me how many people surround Matt & I, Hannah & Peter as we journey on this road of parenthood and growing up.  I am blessed to have so many to call friends and family.

Thanks for all your love!

Oh, and I'm pretty sure Peter will be inseparable from his digger truck for a long time to come.

thanks Grandma & Grandpa!