Yesteday...

I noticed my perfect little berry missing yesterday afternoon, so I asked everyone present if they had seen it. Immediately, Matilde asked which strawberry I was talking about. I showed her a picture of it and asked if she had eaten it. She said, "I don't know what you're talking about!" I gave her a look. You know which look I'm talking about, and she shouted, "but it was RIPED!!!"  That's when I snapped the picture.

Autumn is HERE!

Yesterday, Matilde and I were busy baking bread because it is officially bread baking season! The house is finally cool enough to use the oven for a few hours in the afternoon and the girls are eating more sandwiches now that school's back in session. Plus, we couldn't pass up a fresh loaf! This bread recipe was really simple, very inexpensive, and it looks like "real bread!" We used flour, yeast, salt, milk, sugar, and water. What more do you need?! Honestly, it was so simple my 5 year old could make it....oh wait...she did! And it's absolutely delicious! 

A week apart

I took the first photo on June first and the other late this afternoon. What a difference a little sunshine, some water, and a threat can do for a sunflower's growth! 
Short Round on the right, however, didn't budge an inch (vertically!). 

Papa's little helper

Matilde helped Papa scoop out rabbit pellets to fill the feeders.  She is such a big help when it comes to her animals! 

Meet Douglas!

This is Matilde's goat, Douglas.  He was a Christmas gift from Aunt Laurie, and Matilde loves him dearly. She desperately wants a pet goat. This Douglas and her soft plush Douglas from grandma and grandpa will have to do for now.  

Darn it!

This week Matilde noticed a hole in her Papa's sweatshirt. She asked him is he needed her to fix it. He of course said yes, and so she learned how to patch it right up!  She was very hard at work the entire time and has since patched up her own pajama bottoms. It was exciting to see her concentrate. She wouldn't allow anyone on the bed to move nor could anyone in the room talk!  She was "CONSHENSHRATING!!" 

The best part of her new found skill is the bragging!  Oh the bragging!  "Is there a hole there still? No because I sewed it!"  "Can you tell there was a hole? No because I did a good job!"  "Let me see your arm.  I can't even find where I sewed!" She's goofy and we all love her for it!  

This weekend.

I've been under the weather this weekend, so I've been a bit behind on the photos. 

We have decided to repurpose the wood from the chicken tractor. We'll find a good use for it I'm sure. 

Here's Matilde helping to cleanup the neighborhood with Papa and Chacha. She suggested we find one of these things in her size! 

Here's Evan having WAY too much fun with her Papa's leaf blower! 

Yesterday & Today

Grapes! 

Juicing more of Grandpa and Grandma Smith Grapes for juice and jelly. Tilly loves helping out, and this was an easy way to get her hands dirty in the kitchen. She had lots of fun! 

Pumpkin Patch

I don't remember the pumpkins being so clean, lined up, and off the vine when I was a kid. Maybe I have forgotten what it was like, but it seemed more authentic back then....a hayride out to the field to pick the perfect pumpkin and another ride back.

Matilde and her preschool classmates had fun and made lasting memories today, whether the pumpkins were sprayed clean or not! 

What a pear!

Matilde was given this pear by one of the secretaries at her school today. It is so gigantic! I can't wait to slice into it! It's as big as her head! 

Catch up and a BIG cuke

Here is Tilly sneaking a snack. Little baby bites ran along the plant! She finally tore off a piece and chewed on that for a bit.  What a goof! 

What beautiful carrots!  We even have a couple purple and even a few white ones growing too! 

(This is what happened when I said, "Smile!") 

I reached in through the vines to feel the weight of it, and it slipped right into my hand!  It's going to be tasty! 

One of the gals

Today

Tilly is fascinated with the feeling of a warm egg on her cheek. Every single egg she collects is pressed tightly to her delicate skin. It a sweet sight.