Peaches

This comprises 2 1/2 hours of work last night after the kids went to bed. It was only one box of peaches and we have two. Our only thought was to get as many done as possible last night. The last batch was still going through the water bath after 10 pm. And we turn into pumpkins at 10 pm, so you can imagine how efficient we are by the end. We ran out of Fruit Fresh and lids (using what we had left over from last year), so it worked out ok. We will have to make a trip to the store this afternoon so we can go at it again tonight. There's no way we are wasting two boxes of free peaches!

Another Story About Elizabeth

Sunday was Stake Conference. It was the regional/broadcast one of the year, so we can attend our ward building and view it, rather than go to the Stake Center. This makes for a shorter drive, fewer people in a building for us, and the prophet attends, so it's really a win-win situation when you have kids. :o) We arrived early enough to get one of the "cushy" seats (i.e.- not the metal fold up chairs, but by no means comfy) in the middle-left part of the chapel.
While Elder Nelson was speaking, he invited 10 of his grandchildren up to the stand to sing the primary song, "Follow the Prophet." Then he asked all of the primary-aged kids to stand up and participate in singing the song. The lyrics would be broadcast on the screen, so if any of the kids were too short to see, they could stand on the benches. As we had impressed upon our children's minds the importance of listening to the prophet and apostles, Elizabeth bounced up at this request. It is important, as you all know, that all the pre-literate preschoolers stand on the benches so they could see the words.
As Elder Nelson informs the older members of the audience that they can sing along if they desire, Elizabeth, now standing on our bench, begins to belt out on the top of her lungs the chorus to Follow the Prophet:

Follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet, don't go astray.
Follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet, he knows the way.

Elizabeth then realizes that she is the only person singing by this time, and Elder Nelson is still talking. And everyone is chuckling and looking in our direction. Oblivious to what is happening in one small corner of Washington state, Elder Nelson cues the music and our impromptu choir begins singing together. Elizabeth is unsure of the words of the verses, but when the chorus comes around all three times, she sings it with all her might!

The Ring Leader

Look at this evil grin. You can almost see Mischief Maker plotting for the second picture. I had fun while I was washing Elizabeth's hair tonight.

Elizabeth was watching Beauty and the Beast and eating goldfish crackers when I left the room and when I came back, she had shared with Maddie. Crumbs, crumbs everywhere. And they showed up so well. I'm curious though, the lesson on sharing has taken hold, but how to impress on Elizabeth that some things we don't share with the babies? At least not while they are sitting on the carpet.

Mess Maker Strikes Again

The linen closet now has a child lock on it.

Preschool Day

Yesterday morning, as Elizabeth got up and came out into the living room, she told me, "Preschool today!" I told her no, it was tomorrow. Elizabeth looked at me and said very stubbornly, "It's tomorrow already!!"
This morning we were a-quiver with anticipation. Today was PRESCHOOL. It is quite the process getting us all ready and out the door for school on time, but we did it. And pictures too. Only 170-something more days to go. :o)

We all walked Elizabeth to class. Emma insisted that she come to see her little sister off to her first day of school. Elizabeth was not in any way clingy or needing me; just happy to say good bye to ol' mom. I had to quickly make sure Emma made it to her class and then load the rest of us back into the van. We got home, I fed Annie and Maddie their bottles, changed diapers and put them down for their morning nap. And then something crazy and unusual happened. There was... silence. Glorious, wonderful silence. I exercised, showered, unloaded the dishwasher, checked email and then I sat down for 5 minutes before my two hours was over and it was time to load everyone back into the van to pick up Elizabeth. I think I could really get used to having some uninterrupted time to get stuff done.