Everyday Revelry...

Lately, as I've been preparing for our baby to be born, I've found myself experiencing moments of great peace and joy....even while in the middle of seemingly everyday situations. It's been a blessed thing because there are things I used to fear about adding another child to the mix that I'm no longer afraid of.

Our beautiful weather has definitely encouraged this feeling of well being too. The late summer nights, with open windows and chirping crickets, the girls happily skipping home from school on warm afternoons and the way the setting sunlight hits our kitchen and dining room late in the day has buoyed my spirits so much.

Don't get me wrong, I'm staring to feel the physical exhaustion of late pregnancy but instead of wishing I had the gestational period of a bunny, I've decided to be grateful I don't have the two year gestational period of an elephant. I've decided it all comes down to perspective.

So, as I wait the duration of human gestation, I'm making myself merry with my own little everyday revelries...

Behold! LUSCIOUS apples from my friend's tree. I'm attempting to create apple butter tomorrow. (We'll see how it goes.)

Better late than never! Our tomatoes are finally starting to ripen. I'm pretty sure I've been ruined for store-bought tomatoes from here on out. He-Man makes a mean Caprese!

Watermelon has proven to be a bit of a challenge to grow. Looks can be deceiving and what looks destined to be dessert can actually be pretty heinous. On the other hand, however, some of the most humiliated looking watermelons are actually the most delicious!

He-Man's second job throws these AMAZING parties. Last weekend, we drove to Park City, Utah and played at Olympic Park. Sunshine was fearless while doing the zipline and mock parachuting. It was so fun to see her exuberance. There was a moment when she and He-Man were suspended above us and Sunshine stretched out her arms as if she were flying like a bird. I could hear her laughing even from the ground!

Bunny was a little nervous and opted out of the first mock parachuting. But was ready to do it the second time around. I was so proud of her for being courageous even though she was scared. We've tried really hard to help her listen to her own internal compass and let that decide her own limits so when she didn't want to do it, we didn't pressure her. In the end though, it was great to see her decide for herself to face her fear and give it a try. She loved it! What was even better was seeing the confidence that comes from doing something like that.

Check out the one-armed strong man! I'm happy to report he nailed this one (and walked around afterwards puffing out his chest a little more than usual).

Here is a video of Button Nose at Sunday dinner. She didn't get a nap that day but didn't want to give up a slice of homemade bread to go to bed early. (UG! Forgive the open cupboard door in the background!)