bring on the harvest and other tidbits

we're up to our armpits in tomatoes, zuchinni and cucumbers as of late. we've finally been successful at getting to taste something that we've grown. we weren't so lucky in colorado. we've also devoured all the corn, raspberries, apricots, and lettuce and looking forward with mucho anticipation for the grapes and peaches--they look awesome!!!!!! if only we could keep the birds from thinking they look awesome, too. we also have 3 huge watermelons that we are going to sample this weekend. i'm crossing my fingers that they'll taste ok as they've taken over the whole of the garden. it has been fun for the kids to see the long term benefits of hard work and patience with gardening this year. they've all been really good to help with every step of the process, from planting, to weeding, to watering, to harvesting, and especially eating! eli just walks out there, picks whatever and chomps away. corn especially!!

speaking of eli--i thought i'd just add this pic as it is my future blackmail material--he has had quite an august. in the past month he as moved out of his crib, forgone the bink, and is in undies 24/7!!! talk about a month of transition. he's done really well with all that comes with growing up as of late (except he longs for the bink now and then) and i can't believe that after 9 1/2 years i have no diapers to buy or change. this frees up $ in the budget for mallory to take tumbling which has been her obsession for the past few months. she starts this week and is bursting with excitement! it will be so fun for her.

she's also started preschool again. something she's missed out on since we left colorado 8 months ago. she goes with all the other kids in the ward to mrs. jean (ms. jeans as mallory calls her) and she loves that it is something all by herself. she is so social and independent (from me, at least) that she really thrives when i'm not around. reminds me of my other daughter;). speaking of...megan just found out today that she made the riverton children's choir. we went down to the high school to audition on monday. she sang "away in a manger"--her first ever solo-- for the directors. she'd been a nervous wreck the whole day but did great. i'm hoping it will be a fun and rewarding experience (and that she'll learn a thing or two about singing because she's not going to get it from me).

with school started it also means the onslaught of soccer. we moved the kids to new teams this year and already love their new coaches and that their games are 2 minutes away!!! they are ready to get back into some regular exercise after not having much to do after school for the past few weeks and i'm ready for them to drop into bed at night instead of running me ragged and then still not being tired.