Saucy

As if we don't have enough other stuff going on, it is THAT time of year again....APPLE TIME.

We have 3 apple trees in our back yard that, with some help of some organic bug spray, produce wonderful loads of sweet, tart, and tasty apples.  Nevermind the fact that we are moving.  I wanted to take advantage of EACH and EVERY one of those apples!!

We went out and picked a basket full from each tree.  Little Max gets a kick out of picking (and eating) the apples.  Mason always steals a couple out of our baskets too.  All this hual, and it BARELY looked like we picked ANYTHING!!

I am so lucky to have such a hands-on helping husband who doesn't think I'm crazy for putting away so much food, and who appreciates getting elbow deep into the work himself.  XOXO

I was on peeling detail -- normally this device (borrowed from my parents) should peel AND core.  But the corer part wasn't working properly, so I just used it to peel and then Max was on coring/slicing detail.  The split of work was good.

Halfway through the basket!

Look at my handy husband!! 



The first basket of apples we made into applesauce -- 10 quarts!  The kids love applesauce, so it won't go to waste.  Plus, I like to use it in place of oil when I am baking as a healthy alternative (you don't feel so bad about the chocolate chips then).  :)

I've made it through the second basket and peeled and chopped and froze them -- to be made into sauce, apple butter or apple pies later.  I have one more basket in the basement and I picked another basket from the trees this weekend.  I'll have to wait to process them until the move is complete -- and hopefully pick one more basket full before we give up this house -- and all the goodies planted in the yard....

What a difference a week makes...

It's amazing how quickly they catch on...look at the improvement only a week makes in walking!

Max's first day of 3K

Even though he's almost 4, today was Max's first official day of 3K.  His birthday falls after the September 1 cutoff for school, so he will always be one of the oldest in his class.

Sadly, this is also the last week in our current house...but I wanted to commemorate his first day of school and this house, so we took his photo on the front steps.  The remainder of his pictures will be taken in the coming years at our next house...so this year's memories will serve a dual purpose.

Just look at this kid!  Isn't he great?  He wanted to get all dressed up special for his first day of school (well, minus the crocs, LOL).  Such a goofball, too.  LOVE.

We also had him write his own name so we can see how his penmanship changes over the years...

I love this kid.  He is such a hoot!!