The Haggard Herald

One thing I am very proud of this summer is our garden.  Matt put in a drip line this spring.  It's amazing.  When you water regularly things are quite likely to grow well.  :) We got raspberries and peas in the spring.  And we planted two little peach trees this spring. And so far this summer we've eaten our beets, yellow onions, green beans, cucumbers, tomatillos, tomatoes, zucchini, orange cherry tomatoes, and first yellow squash.  The green onions didn't sprout and the peppers and broccoli didn't do so hot. The cucumbers are out of control.  I love having a crop that is so abundant I don't know what to do with all of them!  Matt helped me make one batch of refrigerator dill pickles and they are good.  I think I need to try canning pickles.  We've picked at least 75 cucumbers and it isn't slowing down... There's probably another 15-20 I should go pick right now.  :) We also did a few herbs this summer.  Sage...

I love Lucy.  She is three.  And she doesn't let me forget it--both in word and deed.  I think she got my strong will and persistence (which translates into she will fight me to the end on something she wants or thinks needs to happen).  Is it possible for some characteristics to be given, or handed over, from parent to baby when they are born?  I really think Maddie took a bit of my strong will out of me when she was born and Lucy took a double portion when she came along.  Lucy, you are welcome! It's served me well and will for you, too. Lucy is fiercely loyal, very protective, also nurturing like Madeleine, and is so so playful.  She wants to solve all problems and make-better all the hurts.  When Matt is telling her a story and the main character is hurt or has a problem (the height of the story) Lucy can't help herself and interjects: "I know what I could do to help her!" or "I could save her and do..." There is no problem Lucy doesn't have...

Playing with Christmas toys. Sunday mornings.  Riding the ski bus.  Skiing together. <3 Collecting worms off the sidewalk this spring.  Playing outback on a warm spring day.  This face.  This playful, teasing, happy face.  Jess and baby Tatum before they left us! This is all her.  She's two.  Starts for the garden.  Lucy and Grandma playing stickers.  A girl, her bunny, and her baby doll.  Lucy, Bunny (a half broken garden statue that both girls adore) and kitty (handmade by Alisa!) sitting on my lap out front this spring.

Madeleine turned five years old a few months ago and is getting ready to start school.  I want to remember what she is like right now: social, friendly, nurturing, maternal, cheerful, feels things deeply--both the good and the bad, the peace-maker (especially with younger children), really good at apologizing, a great learner, and so excited for all the things happening.  She's had a busy year: fall soccer last year, ice skating with cousins, skiing lessons and practice with me this past winter, creative dance throughout, swim lessons this spring, and we just started a little month-long basketball class with Lucy too.  She loves trying new things.  I love letting her and try to do them one at a time. She loves stories.  Matt is really good at making up all sorts of stories for Madeleine and Lucy and they LOVE listening to stories.  Maddie's gotten the Magic Tree House books on audio over the past year and she will take the CD's out of the car and lis...