Canning

This year I had to can by myself. My Mom's excuse is that she's in Mexico. Excuses, excuses...

Anyway, I was pretty pleased with myself. I did all the peaches all day on a Saturday and finished those. I had to stretch out the pears over a week. Partly it was because I didn't have time to spend all of one day. Mostly, it was because they weren't all ripe. Great coincidence!
Now, I have to go pick apples at my parents house and then I'll make applesauce. Richard is really excited because he loves to squish the applesauce through the processor. That was my favorite part when I was growing up, too!

Happy Birthday!

Richard had a birthday! He's been so excited and has been counting down for months. 

He got an alarm clock per his request. I'm not sure if he just wants to know what time it is or if he really wanted the power to get up early. So, far he's gotten up early a couple of mornings so he could play before school.

Richard got a model battleship from my parents. Over the summer, he saw some ships that my dad made with my brother. Richard was drooling over them and even asked if he could have them. My dad took it upon himself to go and buy a model for Richard. I think that might be the first time my dad actually picked out a gift for one of my kids. Richard loved it!

I made a double-decker Oreo cheesecake. Who knew you could have a double-decker cheesecake! He requested and I did my best to deliver. It was most yummy.

Perfect picture of Peter's attitude this evening.

We gave him a set of scriptures. I was torn between getting a quad or a triple and a bible. He was super-exited when he got a quad and said it was "better" than the two books his friend got. Score! I made the right decision.

Just a few bits about Richard:
Richard is also getting more self-conscious of what his friends think. He recently came home with his school pictures. He said, "Don't I look better than last year? Last year I had a funny look on my face and was the only one who looked stupid. I wanted to look better this year." I hope he never forgets how to smile!
Richard currently loves Star Wars. He watches it all the time and is constantly carrying around light sabers. He recently got the Anakin light saber as a marble reward (they fill a jar of marble for good behavior and for doing their chores/stuff without complaining) and then gave me $5 to make up the rest of the cost. He'll ask me all kinds of questions about Star Wars. I guess he doesn't realize that I'm not really an expert at Star Wars.
Richard loves to snuggle and give me hugs and tell me he loves me. I hope that never stops. I love my sweet little boy!

Preschool!

Marie and Peter started preschool. They are so excited! Every day they ask me if it's a preschool day and then moan if it's not. They go for 2 1/2 hours on MWF. So, for those hours every week, I have only one child! I haven't had that luxury since I was pregnant with them 4 years ago. That time, it only lasted for one month. So, to celebrate this freedom, I ran errands! Thomas seemed excited to be the only child to be making noise. Or, maybe I actually could just hear him...